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2024-09-18 02:15:13

iOS 18 Passwords App: All the New Features
https://images.macrumors.com/article-new/2024/07/Generic-iOS-18-Passwords-Feature.jpg
With iOS 18, Apple introduced a standalone Passwords app that streamlines login and password management. You've been able to store password information on your Apple devices through iCloud Keychain for years, but accessing passwords was a little difficult because the data was tucked away in the Settings app. That's no longer the case, and in ‌iOS 18‌, it's much simpler to create and manage passwords for websites and more.
This guide goes over everything you need to know about the ‌iOS 18‌ Passwords app, which is also available in iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia 15.
Layout
The Passwords app is installed automatically when upgrading to ‌iOS 18‌, ‌iPadOS 18‌, or ‌macOS Sequoia‌. The app has a simple layout with a search bar right at the top, so you can look up the information that you're looking for.
If you've already used the ‌iCloud‌ Keychain feature, all of your saved logins and passwords are ready to go as soon as you authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID. There are separate sections for passwords and logins (under All), Passkeys, two-factor authentication codes, Wi-Fi passwords, security warnings, and logins that have been deleted.
You can tap in to any of the sections to see what's listed there, and tapping on an individual entry shows the login and password. Each entry has fields for site or app name, username, login, verification code, websites where the login is used, and notes. There's also a one-tap option for changing your password for any given entry.
The layout of the Passwords app is similar to what you see in the Passwords section of the Settings app in ‌iOS 18‌.
Adding Logins and Passwords
To add a login or password to the Passwords app, it's as simple as tapping on the "+" button at the bottom of the main interface.
The Passwords app populates a new entry with a password automatically, and you just need to add the website name and username, then copy the password and put it in the app, website, or service you're signing up for. Tapping on Save will save the information.
If you want to add information to an existing entry, you can tap into the relevant section, such as All, search for the login you want to update, tap it, and then select the "Edit" option to get to the editing interface for adding notes, changing a password, or adding a verification code.
Passwords and logins are added automatically to the Passwords app when you have ‌iCloud‌ Keychain enabled and you create a new login in Safari or in an app.
Changing Passwords
To change a Password, you just need to open up the Passwords app, search for the login you want to update, tap on Edit, and then tap on the "Change Password..." option. You can also browse through Passwords using the "All" section.
Tapping on Change Password opens up the website associated with the login and password, but you will need to initiate the password change process on the site by logging into your account and finding the appropriate option for updating a password.
Deleting Passwords
To delete a password, go to the "All" section and browse until you find it, or search for a specific login. From the "All" overview, you can swipe from right to left to bring up a delete option. Just tap on delete to remove the password.
You can also tap into any of your logins, choose Edit, and select Delete Password from there. To delete multiple logins, tap on the Select tool at the top right of the display (it looks like a list with a checkmark) and then tap any of the logins you want to delete. When you're done, tap on Delete again to delete them all.
Passwords that you have deleted are stored in a Deleted folder in the Passwords app for 30 days before they're permanently deleted. You can tap into that folder and swipe to delete logins and passwords right away. Alternatively, you can use the select button at the top to delete multiple logins at one time.
Authentication Codes
The Passwords app can provide two-factor authentication codes for sites that make additional security options available. To add a two-factor authentication code, tap on the "Codes" section of the main Passwords interface.
From there, tap on the "+" button. You can either scan a QR code with a camera, which is a common way two-factor authentication apps work, or enter a setup key. Once the code is stored in the Passwords app, you can open up the Codes section at any time to get a temporary code to log in to a site or app.
Two-factor authentication codes also show up when you search for a password and login or browse through logins in the "All" section.
Passkeys
Websites have started transitioning from passwords to passkeys, and the Passwords app stores your passkeys as well as your logins and passwords.
Passkeys are more secure than passwords, and they let you log into your accounts using ‌Face ID‌ or ‌Touch ID‌ authentication on an Apple device. Passkeys basically use a cryptographic key pair, with one public key stored on a server and a private key stored on your device.
Private keys are not shared, they remain on-device only, and can't be sent to other people, protecting your accounts from phishing attempts.
You can see your stored passkeys in the Passkeys section of the Passwords app, and you should swap over to Passkeys for every website that offers the feature.
Password Sharing
The Passwords app lets you set up and share select passwords with trusted contacts. You can create one or more groups of people that include family and friends, providing them with access to shared logins and passwords.
Creating a group can be done by tapping on the folder on the left hand side of the main Passwords interface. Type in a name, and then select people to add. Note that anyone you add needs to be in your contacts list.
From there, you can select logins and passwords that you want to share. Logins and passwords can be removed at any time, and all members of a group can contribute logins. The group creator can remove people from the group at any time.
To share a password with someone in person, you can search for the login that you want to share and then use the Share Sheet to open up an AirDrop interface that will let you AirDrop the login and password information. The Share Sheet is only designed for this kind of in-person sharing.
AutoFill
If you have AutoFill enabled on your devices, your logins and passwords will be entered automatically when you visit a website in Safari that you have stored login information for. AutoFill will pop up an option for the appropriate login and password on any account login field in Safari or in an app.
AutoFill works the same as it did when passwords were limited to the Settings app.
Sorting
In the "All" section of the Passwords app, you can tap on the icon that features two arrows to get to sorting options.
Sorting options include Date Edited, Date Created, Website, or Title, and each of these can be displayed in a Descending or Ascending list by tapping on the desired option.
Syncing
Passwords are synced automatically between all of your Apple devices using ‌iCloud‌ Keychain. You just need to have the option turned on and you need to be logged in to your Apple ID on any device where you want to access your passwords.
You can even get to your logins and passwords on a Windows PC because Apple is adding the Passwords app to iTunes for Windows.
Security
There is a dedicated Security section in the Passwords app, and it lets you know if you have a password that is reused, too weak, or has been compromised in a data leak.
Warnings are accompanied by information letting you know that a password change is in order, and you can tap on the Change Password option to go to the website where you need to update your information.
For any individual login, you'll also see information letting you know if your password is weak or strong.
Importing Passwords
Apple plans to provide a tool for importing passwords from other services like 1Password and LastPass, but as of now, this functionality has not been implemented.
Read More
For more on the new features that Apple is added in ‌iOS 18‌, we have a dedicated iOS 18 roundup.
Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
This article, "iOS 18 Passwords App: All the New Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-18-passwords/

2024-09-07 04:30:12

Everything to Expect From the 'It's Glowtime' Apple Event
https://images.macrumors.com/article-new/2024/02/iPhone-16-Camera-Lozenge-2-Perspective.jpg
Apple will hold its annual fall iPhone-centric event on Monday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. There are multiple new devices on the horizon, including new iPhone 16 models, refreshes for all of the Apple Watches, new AirPods 4, and perhaps some other surprises.
This guide highlights everything that we might see at Apple's "It's Glowtime" event based on current rumors.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
The ‌iPhone 16‌ and 16 Plus will look almost identical to the iPhone 15 and ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus, with few design changes planned, but there are new capabilities to look forward to.
Apple plans to bring the Action Button to the ‌iPhone 16‌ and ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus, so it won't be a Pro-exclusive feature anymore and will be available on all ‌iPhone 16‌ models. The Action Button can be set to turn on a Focus mode, activate a Shortcut, open the Camera, activate the Flashlight, and more. With iOS 18, it can do even more because you can also assign Control Center controls to the Action Button, and third-party developers can now make Control Center options.
Dummy models featuring the rumored ‌iPhone 16‌ colors
Along with the Action Button, all ‌iPhone 16‌ models could have a Capture Button, located on the right side of the iPhone below the Power Button. On U.S. iPhones, it will be located where the mmWave antenna is on the ‌iPhone 15‌ models, with the antenna moving to the left with the ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup. While most rumors have suggested it's coming to all models, there is a chance that it could be limited to the Pro models.
The Capture Button will be used to take images and video, and it will respond to pressure and touch for extra gesture support. A light press will autofocus, while a harder press will take the shot. Swiping left and right will zoom in or out, and there may also be an option for swapping between photo and video modes.
Rather than the diagonal camera that Apple has used for the last several ‌iPhone‌ models, the ‌iPhone 16‌ and 16 Plus will have a vertical camera arrangement for the dual-lens camera system. The vertical arrangement could allow for the iPhones to capture spatial video for the Vision Pro.
The Main camera isn't expected to get an upgrade, but Apple might boost the aperture of the Ultra Wide camera to improve low-light performance and add support for macro mode for the first time.
There will be new colors for the ‌iPhone 16‌ models, with some rumors suggesting we'll see black, green, light pink, blue, and white for five total color options, and other rumors pointing toward green, white, pink, and blue. In both of these scenarios, the white replaces the yellow Apple used for the ‌iPhone 15‌ models. Apple is rumored to be using the color-infused back glass that it used for the ‌iPhone 15‌, but with a frosted effect for the glass that contrasts with the frame color.
Apple could opt for a more power efficient OLED display that might improve battery life while also increasing overall brightness.
A18 chips will be in all the ‌iPhone 16‌ models, which means the standard ‌iPhone 16‌ and ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus will support the Apple Intelligence features that are coming in ‌iOS 18‌. There could also be some iPhone-specific Apple Intelligence functionality that hasn't yet been announced.
The A18 chips will be built on TSMC's 3-nanometer process, with Apple expected to include Neural Engine improvements for Apple Intelligence. Both ‌iPhone 16‌ models will get 8GB RAM, up from 6GB in the prior-generation models in order to support AI. Apple may also be planning for a new thermal design that will combat overheating and improve performance.
There could be some minor increases to battery life for the standard ‌iPhone 16‌ model, as it is rumored to be getting a minor capacity boost. Depending on the chip efficiency, we could see some small improvements for both models, but that will depend on how much battery the new features eat up.
coming to the iPhone 16 in our roundup.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max
Like the ‌iPhone 16‌ models, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will get the all-new Capture Button, and in these devices, it will be accompanied by some camera improvements.
Apple is planning for a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide lens that uses pixel binning down to 12-megapixels, and the end result is basically much better performance in low-light for your wide-angle shots and your macro photos. The 5x Telephoto lens that was limited to the 15 Pro Max will be coming to the 16 Pro, so both Pro models will have it this time around.
The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models may be able to record 4K video at up to 120 frames per second, an increase over the current 60 frames per second limit when filming in 4K. Apple has also tested 8K recording, but it is not clear if that made it into the launch version of the device. Apple also plans to add a feature for pausing and resuming a video recording.
iPhone 15 Pro.
There could be some improvements to the Main camera, and there's a chance the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max will have a new Sony sensor that offers higher-quality images with better dynamic range and noise control.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the bezels could be about a third smaller.
All of the ‌iPhone 16‌ models will get an A18 chip, but there could be variants. Apple could use a higher-end A18 chip with an extra GPU core in the Pro models, which would let all ‌iPhone 16‌ devices run Apple Intelligence, but would still provide for some differentiation between the Pro and non-Pro models. A new thermal architecture with a graphene heatsink and metal battery casing is expected, and while the heatsink is also coming to the ‌iPhone 16‌, the other thermal changes could be Pro only.
Apple is expected to adopt Qualcomm's X75 5G modem in the Pro models for faster 5G speeds through carrier aggregation. The X75 has a combined mmWave and sub-6GHz transceiver rather than using separate hardware, so it's smaller and uses up less power.
could start with 256GB.
MagSafe charging speeds and 40W wired charging speeds, but that's sounding like a long shot now. The microphone will have better water resistance and better sound thanks to AI. There may also be some ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro-specific Apple Intelligence features that we don't know about yet.
Bloomberg's ‌Mark Gurman‌ says the shade "looks impressive and not terrible like the early renders."
Early ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ dummy models via Sonny Dickson
can be found in the iPhone 16 Pro roundup.
Apple Watch Series 10
Apple is refreshing the Apple Watch this year, but there are some ambiguities and questions about just what we'll see. 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of when the Apple Watch was introduced in September 2014, and it will be the "Series 10," but the Apple Watch launched in 2015. While there have been rumors of a major anniversary refresh, it's been unclear if that will happen this year or next year.
The Apple Watch is expected to be slimmer than prior versions, and Apple is increasing the size. Rather than 41mm and 45mm models, it's looking like we'll get 45mm and 49mm options. Size could increase through a decrease in bezels and by making the casing itself larger. A 4mm jump will be a noticeable but not enormous size increase.
were CAD renders of a next-generation Apple Watch with a 2-inch display, which is just slightly bigger than the 49mm Apple Watch Ultra display. That screen could be destined for the 49mm Series 10. Apple could boost water resistance with the design change, certifying the device for high-speed water sports up to 20 meters deep. The new Series 10 models may get the Depth app, which was first introduced for the Apple Watch Ultra.
Bloomberg's ‌Mark Gurman‌ said that Apple was working on a new magnetic band attachment system, but it's no longer sounding like that's a feature we're going to get this year.
Apple will update the OLED display to be more energy efficient, and with a bigger casing, battery size may increase too, leading to better battery life.
Apple is reportedly planning to include an updated heart rate and ECG sensor in the Apple Watch Series 10 that will enable new features like sleep apnea detection. Sleep apnea detection has been long rumored for the Series 10, but it was unclear if it would be implemented at launch because of an ongoing patent dispute that has seen Apple disable blood oxygen detection in the current-generation Apple watch models in the U.S.
Sleep apnea causes a person to stop breathing while asleep, which can lead to excessive tiredness. It is usually diagnosed through a sleep study, and fixing it requires a breathing apparatus like a CPAP machine. The Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 2 will reportedly be able to detect sleep apnea using Apple Watch sleep tracking, providing a reading after collecting sleep data for several days.
Apple also wanted to include blood pressure monitoring, but that feature was not ready for launch and will not be included in the Series 10.
will not get "major" Apple Intelligence capabilities, there could perhaps be AI features tied to a future health coach service, according to Bloomberg's ‌Mark Gurman‌.
in our roundup.
Apple Watch Ultra 3
If there are new health features in the Apple Watch Series 10, Apple will also add them to the next-generation Apple Watch Ultra that's coming this fall. We aren't expecting a new design or any other physical changes to the device, but it will get the same chip and health features that Apple plans to add to the Apple Watch Series 10.
Apple Watch SE 3
The Apple Watch SE 3 could get a refresh this fall, and there are rumors that Apple will use a plastic casing rather than an aluminum casing for the device.
A rigid plastic material would keep costs down, while also being more durable than aluminum in terms of scratches and drops. Such an Apple Watch could also be made in an array of bright colors, which would appeal to children.
Apple has been promoting the Apple Watch as an option for parents who want to give their kids a device for communication and safety, and a lower-cost ‌Apple Watch SE‌ could help and also differentiate the device from the aluminum Apple Watch models.
Apple has not used plastic for the casing of a device since the ‌iPhone‌ 5c, a phone that came in vibrant blue, yellow, pink, and green colors. Aside from a new material, the ‌Apple Watch SE‌ is expected to have the same general design with no updates and no other feature changes except for an improved chip.
AirPods 4
There are two versions of the ‌AirPods 4‌ in the works, both of which feature a new design. The updated AirPods will look like a cross between the current AirPods and the AirPods Pro, with Apple adopting a shorter stem. Bloomberg's ‌Mark Gurman‌ says there will be an updated fit, but it's not yet clear what that means.
The higher-priced ‌AirPods 4‌ will have Active Noise Cancellation, a feature that has previously been limited to the ‌AirPods Pro‌ and the AirPods Max. The lower-end model will be a direct upgrade to the current AirPods 3.
Pricing on these new models isn't known yet. The ‌AirPods 3‌ cost $179 (with ‌MagSafe‌ case), the AirPods 2 are $129, and the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 are $249, so Apple needs to price the new model somewhere in the middle. The lower-cost ‌AirPods 4‌ could get a price drop to put it closer in line with the AirPods 2, which will be discontinued, and the ANC model could be priced between $180 and $200, well below the ‌AirPods Pro‌.
Find My, allowing it to play a sound when lost, and it'll have a USB-C port for charging instead of a Lightning port. ‌MagSafe‌ charging will also still be a feature.
Depending on design, the ANC probably won't be on par with the ANC in the ‌AirPods Pro‌ as those have silicone ear tips, but there are rumors of improvements to sound quality.
Eventually, Apple plans to announce hearing aid replacement functionality for the AirPods, plus it will add an option for conducting hearing tests with the earbuds. These features may not be available when the AirPods launch, instead coming at a later date.
Other Unlikely Possibilities
AirPods Max
Apple plans to refresh the ‌AirPods Max‌ in 2024, but don't get excited. We aren't expecting any new features except for a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port, and possibly new color options. It's more likely that the ‌AirPods Max‌ refresh will come later in the year than at the September event.
iPad mini 7
The iPad mini 7 could see an update in 2024, but it likely won't be coming at Apple's September event. Apple is said to be planning to hold a second event in October 2024, and it would make more sense for the new iPad mini to come out then alongside new M4 Macs.
Few changes are expected for the next-generation ‌iPad mini‌, and it will continue to have an 8.3-inch display size with Touch ID power button. There could be a small change to the display to cut down on the "jelly scrolling" effect that some people complained about with the ‌iPad mini‌ 6. Jelly scrolling refers to the sometimes noticeable lag when scrolling vertically through text-based content like a webpage.
We are expecting the ‌iPad mini‌ to have a variant of the A17 or A18 chip that is compatible with Apple Intelligence, and we could get new colors, an upgraded front-facing camera, and support for Wi-Fi 6E.
iPad 11
The iPad hasn't been refreshed since 2022, and it is overdue for an update. There are rumors suggesting we could get a new model in 2024, but it too will likely come out later in the year.
There are no rumors about new features for the next-generation ‌iPad‌, but it is expected to get a better A-series chip.
Software Updates
‌iOS 18‌, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, tvOS 18, watchOS 11, and visionOS 2 are in beta testing, and at the fall event, Apple will give us a heads up on when the new operating system updates will be released.
Typically ‌iOS 18‌ and its sister updates come out just a few days ahead of when new iPhones launch, so if the ‌iPhone 16‌ models launch on Friday, September 20 after their September 9 debut date, we could see the software come out earlier in the week of September 20.
There may also be Apple Intelligence features that are exclusive to the ‌iPhone 16‌ models that Apple has been keeping under wraps, so there may be some software-based surprises coming.
How to Watch
Apple's "It's Glowtime" event will start at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Monday, September 9. Apple will livestream the event on its website and on YouTube, plus the livestream will be available through the Apple TV app on supported devices.
For those unable to watch the livestream, MacRumors will be providing full event coverage on MacRumors.com and the MacRumorsLive Twitter account, plus we'll do a much deeper dive into all the announcements over the course of the next week.
This article, "Everything to Expect From the 'It's Glowtime' Apple Event" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-september-2024-event-what-to-expect/

2024-08-28 23:45:12

Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 202 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements
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Apple today released a new update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser that was first introduced in March 2016. Apple designed ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ to allow users to test features that are planned for future release versions of the Safari browser.
‌Safari Technology Preview‌ 202 includes fixes and updates for Accessibility, CSS, Editing, JavaScript, Media, Rendering, SVG, Web Animations, Web API, Web Assembly, and WebDriver.
macOS Sonoma and the macOS Sequoia beta. Set to launch this fall, ‌macOS Sequoia‌ is the newest version of macOS that Apple is working on.
downloaded the browser from Apple's website. Complete release notes for the update are available on the Safari Technology Preview website.
Tag: Safari Technology Preview
This article, "Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 202 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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2024-08-28 20:00:17

iOS 18.1 Beta Now Offers Notification Summaries for All Apps
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With the third beta of iOS 18.1, Apple has introduced new Apple Intelligence features for notifications. The notification summarization option that was previously available for the Mail and Messages apps now works with all of your apps.
After updating to the latest beta, there is an Apple Intelligence setup flow that walks through some of the new features and includes settings for the Summarize Notification Previews section.
During setup, you can opt to summarize all of your notification previews or choose which apps should use the summarization feature. After setup, these preferences can be tweaked in the Summarize Previews of the Settings app under the Notifications heading.
Notification summarization allows Apple Intelligence to glean key details from groups of notifications from an app, making them more succinct so you can see what's important at a glance. From the Settings app:
Summarize content in direct messages and groups of notifications making them more succinct and easier to read. Summary accuracy may vary based on content.
There are individual toggles to enable or disable summarization on a per-app basis, and it can also be entirely disabled for those who do not want to use the feature.
You will see notification summaries on the Lock Screen, and it is a feature that pairs well with the new Reduce Interruptions Focus Mode.
iPhone 15 Pro models or an iPad or Mac with an M-series chip. The functionality is limited to developers who have installed the third beta of iOS 18.1 at the current time, but Apple Intelligence will see a public release later this year.
adds the Clean Up object removal tool to the Photos app.
This article, "iOS 18.1 Beta Now Offers Notification Summaries for All Apps" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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https://www.macrumors.com/2024/08/28/ios-18-1-notification-summaries/

2024-08-23 13:30:15

Google Maps Loses Two Tabs Out of Five in Bottom Bar Redesign
https://images.macrumors.com/article-new/2024/08/google-maps-ui-change.jpg
Google Maps is rolling out a redesigned bottom bar to iPhones that aims to give the app a less cluttered look by reducing the number of tabs on the screen.
Old Google Maps bottom bar (left) vs. new one
Previously only on Android, the new bottom bar reduces the number of tabs from five to three. As spotted by 9to5Google, "Go" has been removed, but users can still access it using a new "You" middle tab, via a new "Saved trips" section therein.
"You" was previously called "Saved," and retains the same bookmark icon. But tapping it takes you to an updated page with new top tabs for "Notifications" and "Messages," both of which serve content that was previously found in the "Updates" tab, now removed. That leaves "Contribute" as the last tab of the three on the main maps screen.
Apple Maps vs. Google Maps: Which Is Better?
Tag: Google Maps
This article, "Google Maps Loses Two Tabs Out of Five in Bottom Bar Redesign" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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2024-08-23 13:00:19

Instagram Gains Myspace-Style 'Song on Profile' Feature
https://images.macrumors.com/article-new/2024/08/instagram-song-on-profile.jpg
Instagram has announced a new feature that allows users to add a song to their profile, an update that harks back to Myspace in the early 2000s.
Added music appears in the bio area of a user's profile. Unlike Myspace, the songs don't autoplay when someone visits a user's profile. Visitors can play and pause the song - or song sample, since the duration of the music is capped at 30 seconds.
post from its creators account. "Your profile song selection will be live until you swap out the song."
To add a song, users need to go to the "edit profile" page and select "Add music to your profile," where they can search for and select a track from Instagram's library of licensed music (the same music that can be used in Reels or posts).
Tag: Instagram
This article, "Instagram Gains Myspace-Style 'Song on Profile' Feature" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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2024-08-22 22:45:11

Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 2 Beta Firmware With Support for iOS 18 Features
https://images.macrumors.com/article-new/2021/06/AirPods-Pro-Beta-Firmware.jpg
Apple today released a new firmware update for the AirPods Pro 2, including both the Lightning and USB-C versions. The firmware has a build number of 7A5290a, up from 7A5266c, and it is available to developers at the current time. This is the fourth firmware update that Apple has released since announcing new ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 features in June.
There are multiple features that are coming to the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 as part of iOS 18, and these features are included in the firmware update.
Siri on the ‌AirPods Pro‌ with a shake or a nod of the head. If you get a phone call, for example, you can shake your head no if you don't want to answer it, or nod to accept the call. ‌Siri‌ interactions can be used for responding to incoming messages, calls, and notifications.
Apple is adding Voice Isolation to the ‌AirPods Pro‌ to cut down on loud background sounds to make you easier to hear, and there is a new Personalized Spatial Audio feature specific to gaming. Game developers will be able to incorporate spatial audio into their games for a more immersive audio experience.
This article, "Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 2 Beta Firmware With Support for iOS 18 Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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2024-08-21 20:00:19

iPhone 15 Pro Max: One Year Review
It's been almost a year since the iPhone 15 models were released, so MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera decided to do a one-year check-in review on the iPhone 15 Pro Max to see how it's performed over the last 12 months.
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Unsurprisingly, Dan has seen some iPhone battery degradation, and it's dropped to 89 percent. That's with regular CarPlay usage, running betas, and standard day-to-day use. Even at 89 percent, the battery can still last for a full day without needing a charge.
As for the titanium chassis, it's held up well. There are a few nicks due to minor drops, but the display has seen a lot more damage with several scratches, some of which are deep.
The transition to USB-C has been a little tough just because there are still people with Lightning iPhones. If someone wants to borrow your charger, you may not have the right cable if you've switched to USB-C and they're still on Lightning.
iOS 18, and it's going to get a lot more useful in the future. You can set Control Center controls to the Action Button, and developers can make new controls for apps that you can use.
There's not too much to say about the triple-lens camera setup, which is great. The 5x zoom lens is excellent for taking portrait pictures of people, and it's been a solid improvement. Otherwise, the cameras are fantastic with a lot of focal length versatility thanks to the new zoom option.
iPhone 16 models. The A17 Pro in the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ is incredibly fast and there's no way most people are even reaching the limits of its capabilities at this time, and Apple isn't adding too much more than an extra Capture Button and a slightly larger display in 2024. You can already use Apple Intelligence if you have an ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ model, so there's not a lot to get out of a year-over-year upgrade.
iPhone 14 or earlier.
This article, "iPhone 15 Pro Max: One Year Review" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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2024-08-16 19:30:15

Best Apple Deals of the Week: Low Prices Hit AirTag, Studio Display, iPad Pro, and More
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Some of this week's best Apple deals include all-time low prices for the Apple Studio Display and M4 iPad Pro, both of which are available on Amazon. We're also tracking great discounts on Bluetooth trackers, Sony's popular noise canceling headphones, and portable power stations from Anker and Jackery.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Bluetooth Trackers
What's the deal? Save on Apple and Anker Bluetooth trackers
Where can I get it? Amazon
Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$19 OFF
AirTag 4 Pack for $79.99
$6 OFF
SmartTrack Link 2 Pack for $29.88
$10 OFF
SmartTrack Card for $19.99
This week started with a handful of discounts on popular Bluetooth trackers, including Apple's AirTag and Anker's brand of Eufy SmartTrack accessories. Although all-time low prices are no longer available on some devices, you can still find all of them on sale today on Amazon.
Sony Headphones
What's the deal? Take $150 off Sony WH1000XM4 Headphones
Where can I get it? Sony
$150 OFF
Sony WH1000XM4 Headphones for $199.99
Sony this week introduced a steep new discount on the WH1000XM4 Wireless Premium Noise Canceling Headphones, available for $199.99 direct from its website, down from $349.99. These headphones feature premium noise cancellation and up to a 30 hour battery life, and this discount is available in all three colors.
Apple Studio Display
What's the deal? Take $299 off Apple Studio Display
Where can I get it? Amazon
Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$299 OFF
Standard Glass Apple Studio Display for $1,299.99
Amazon this week discounted the Apple Studio Display (standard glass) to $1,299.99, down from $1,599.00, which is a match of the all-time low price on the monitor. You can also find low prices on the VESA mount adapter model and tilt- and height-adjustable stand model on Amazon right now.
iPad Pro
What's the deal? Save on M4 iPad Pro
Where can I get it? Amazon
Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$100 OFF
11-inch iPad Pro (256GB Wi-Fi0 for $899.00
Amazon has Apple's 256GB Wi-Fi 11-inch M4 iPad Pro for $899.00, down from $999.00. This is a new record low price on the tablet, and there are also multiple other sales on both 11-inch and 13-inch Wi-Fi models happening this week on Amazon.
Portable Power Stations
What's the deal? Save on Anker and Jackery power stations
Where can I get it? Amazon
Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$50 OFF
Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Power Station for $179.99
$200 OFF
Anker SOLIX C800 Power Station for $449.00
visit our original post for the full list of power stations on sale.
Samsung Monitors
What's the deal? Take $700 off Samsung's ViewFinity S9 5K Smart Monitor, plus other deals
Where can I get it? Samsung
Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$700 OFF
27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K Smart Monitor for $899.99
Samsung opened up its back to school sale this week, and it includes a match of the all-time low price on the 27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K Smart Monitor. This display is priced at $899.99 ($700 off), and you'll find even more deals on monitors, TVs, and smartphones in this sale.
Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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2024-08-15 22:45:12

United States Fines T-Mobile $60 Million for Failing to Prevent Unauthorized Access to Sensitive Customer Data
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T-Mobile was fined $60 million by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS) for negligence surrounding data breaches, reports Reuters. CFIUS penalized T-Mobile for failing to prevent or disclose unauthorized access to sensitive customer data.
When T-Mobile merged with Sprint, it signed a national security agreement with CFIUS, which is what led to the fine earlier this year. T-Mobile is owned by German company Deutsche Telekom, and T-Mobile agreed to protect consumer data as part of the Sprint acquisition. Back in 2021, T-Mobile suffered a major breach that impacted over 100 million of its users, just a year after it acquired Sprint.
In 2024, following an initial Notice of Penalty issued in 2023, CFIUS resolved an enforcement action against T-Mobile US, Inc. ("T-Mobile"), a telecommunications company, resulting in a $60 million penalty. As publicly disclosed by T-Mobile, the company entered into a National Security Agreement ("NSA") with CFIUS in 2018 in connection with T-Mobile's merger with Sprint and the foreign ownership of the resulting entity. CFIUS determined that between August 2020 and June 2021, in violation of a material provision of the NSA, T-Mobile failed to take appropriate measures to prevent unauthorized access to certain sensitive data and failed to report some incidents of unauthorized access promptly to CFIUS, delaying the Committee's efforts to investigate and mitigate any potential harm. CFIUS concluded that these violations resulted in harm to the national security equities of the United States. T-Mobile has worked with CFIUS to enhance its compliance posture and obligations and has committed to working cooperatively with the U.S. Government to ensure compliance with its obligations going forward.
T-Mobile told Reuters that it experienced technical issues when integrating with Sprint, which affected information from "a small number of law enforcement information requests." T-Mobile claims to have swiftly dealt with the issue and reported it "in a timely manner."
Tag: T-Mobile
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2024-08-15 14:15:12

How to Get macOS Sequoia 15.1 Beta With Apple Intelligence
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Apple has made available the second developer beta of macOS Sequoia 15.1, which includes the ability to test Apple Intelligence features. If you have an Apple silicon Mac and don't live in China, you can try Apple Intelligence features for yourself, even if you're not a developer. Keep reading to learn how.
Apple has split Apple Intelligence into a separate set of betas for Macs because these features will not be available in the initial launch version of ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15. Apple Intelligence will be available to the public later in the fall with the release of macOS Sequoia 15.1.
macOS 15 roundup.
The good news is that Apple has already seeded the second developer beta of macOS 15.1, which means you can try some of the AI features out for yourself by signing up for macOS beta access. Signing up to get the macOS Sequoia beta is simple, and can be done by following the steps below. Be sure to back up your Mac using Time Machine before going on to follow the beta software installation steps, otherwise you won't be able to revert back to your previous version of macOS if you need to.
Things to Remember Before You Start
Back up Your Mac.
Apple Intelligence requires a Mac with an M1 Apple silicon processor or later.
Apple Intelligence is only available in US English.
Apple Intelligence for Mac is not available in China, but appears to be available in the EU and everywhere else when region and language settings are changed to United States (see below).
Apple Intelligence is not available if macOS 15.1 is installed on an external drive.
Register for Developer Beta Access
You can skip this first set of steps if you have previously joined the Apple Developer Program with your Apple ID. Note that registering in this way is free, and does not require paying for an Apple Developer Program membership.
Go to the Apple Developer website (developer.apple.com/account) and sign in with your Apple ID.
Check the box to accept the terms and conditions, then tap the Submit button.
That's all there is to it. You can now proceed to the next steps to download and install the macOS Sequoia 15.1 developer beta.
Download macOS 15.1 Beta
To download and install the macOS Sequoia 15.1 Developer beta, follow these steps on your Mac.
Go to System Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update.
Click the info button ⓘ next to "Beta updates."
Choose the macOS Sequoia 15.1 Developer Beta option, then click Done.
When the macOS 15 Sequoia 15.1 Beta update appears, click the Upgrade Now button to start downloading and installing it on your Mac.
Activate Apple Intelligence
The following steps explain how to join the Apple Intelligence waitlist, which usually grants you access to the AI features in just a few minutes.
Go to System Settings ➝ Apple Intelligence & Siri.
Set Siri's language to English (United States), and decline to restart your Mac at the prompt for now.
Set Voice to American.
Next, go to System Settings ➝ General ➝ Language & Region.
Click the "Region" selector and choose United States.
Under "Preferred Languages," click + and add English (US), then set English (US) as the Primary language by dragging it above your other language(s).
Restart your Mac when prompted.
After restarting, go to Settings ➝ Apple Intelligence & Siri.
Click the option to Join the Apple Intelligence waitlist. You will be notified when Apple Intelligence features are available for your Mac. In most cases this should take only a few minutes, but don't rule out waiting a couple of hours.
When Apple Intelligence is available, toggle the switch to enable it.
Note that Apple Intelligence will not be in the initial launch version of iOS 18 that comes out in September alongside new iPhones. It will instead be introduced in a separate iOS 18.1 update that is likely to come out a few weeks after ‌iOS 18‌ debuts. Have you had a chance to try out Apple Intelligence features on Mac? Let us know of your experience in the comments.
Related Roundup: macOS Sequoia
Tag: Apple Intelligence
Related Forum: macOS Sequoia
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2024-08-14 21:45:12

Sonos Considering Bringing Back Its Old Mobile App Amid Ongoing Issues
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Just a few months after debuting an all-new mobile app for controlling its audio products, Sonos is considering bringing back the previous version of the app following numerous user complaints, reports The Verge.
While Sonos has been working to address a number of missing features and issues with the new app and has laid out a timeline to keep users updated on the company's progress, The Verge reports that "discussions high up within Sonos" have centered around potentially offering the old app as an interim solution.
Letting customers fall back to the older software could ease their frustrations and reduce at least some of the pressure on Sonos to rectify every issue with the new app. At least for now, the redesigned version is all that’s available, which makes it impossible for some customers to avoid its flaws.
Just last week, Sonos CEO Patrick Spence revealed on the company's earnings call that it will be delaying two upcoming product launches due to "challenges with our new app." While Spence did not identify the products in question, one of them is likely to be the successor to the company's flagship Arc soundbar.
Tag: Sonos
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2024-08-14 20:45:12

Apple Aiming to Launch Tabletop Robotic Home Device as Soon as 2026 With Pricing Around $1,000
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Apple is moving forward with its project to develop a tabletop robotic device, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
MacRumors rendering of a similar device based on the G4 iMac
The device would feature a large iPad-like display mounted on a "thin robotic arm" that would allow the display to tilt and up and down and rotate a full 360º, and it would serve as a "smart home command center," a videoconferencing machine such as for FaceTime calls, and a home security monitoring tool.
Siri and Apple Intelligence, allowing it to respond to an array of verbal commands, recognize different voices, and automatically orient the display to face users in the room.
While Apple has been toying with the idea for some time, Gurman says Apple has recently prioritized development of the device, putting it under the purview of Kevin Lynch, Apple's vice president of technology who has overseen such projects as the Apple Watch and Apple's defunct self-driving car venture.
Tags: Bloomberg, Mark Gurman
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2024-08-14 20:30:15

Apple Studio Display Gets All-Time Low Discounts on Amazon, Available From $1,299.99
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Amazon today has the Apple Studio Display for $1,299.99, down from $1,599.00, which is a match of the all-time low price on the monitor. This is the standard glass version of the Studio Display with the tilt adjustable stand, and Amazon also has a few other models on sale as well.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
$1,299.99, while the tilt- and height-adjustable stand model is available for $1,599.00, down from $1,999.00. Both of these are record low prices on the display.
$299 OFF
Standard Glass Apple Studio Display for $1,299.99
$1,599.00, down from $1,899.00, which is a second-best price on the Studio Display with nano-texture glass.
The Studio Display features a 27-inch 5K retina display with a 5120 x 2880 resolution and up to 600 nits of brightness. Apple says that the standard display is engineered for "extremely low reflectivity," but for rooms where there is a lot of glare, Apple suggests the nano-texture glass option with even less reflectivity.
Apple Deals roundup.
Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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2024-08-14 18:00:19

Apple Opening Up iPhone's NFC Chip to Third-Party Developers in iOS 18.1
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Apple today announced that developers will soon be able to offer NFC transactions in their own apps for the first time – something that is mostly exclusive to Apple Pay at present.
Starting with iOS 18.1 later this year, developers will be able to offer in-app contactless transactions, separate from ‌Apple Pay‌ and Apple Wallet, using new APIs. This opens up new possibilities for in-store payments, car keys, closed-loop transit, corporate badges, student IDs, home keys, hotel keys, merchant loyalty and rewards cards, and event tickets, as well as government IDs in the future. The APIs use the Secure Enclave inside the iPhone, a certified chip that stores sensitive information directly on the device itself.
Users will be able to use an app that features these APIs either by opening the app directly or setting it as their default contactless app in Settings to double-click the Side button and initiate the transaction.
Developers will need to request the NFC and Secure Enclave entitlement, enter into a commercial agreement with Apple, and pay the associated fees. Apple says this ensures that only authorized developers who meet certain industry and regulatory requirements and commit to Apple’s ongoing security and privacy standards can access the relevant APIs.
Tags: NFC, Apple Pay
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2024-08-14 12:15:12

Apple Still Developing a Bigger iMac With Over 30-Inch Display
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Apple is still working on a larger iMac with over a 30-inch display, but the development stage and potential release schedule for the all-in-one computer still remains largely unknown.
Following the launch of the new Mac Studio and 27-inch Studio Display in March 2022, Apple discontinued the Intel-based 27-inch iMac. The company had already consigned the iMac Pro to its discontinued products list the previous March. Then in November 2023, Apple put paid to hopes of a future 27-inch iMac when it confirmed to several publications that it had no plans to release such a machine.
persistent rumors of a larger-screened iMac in the works that has a display that's over 30 inches in size. The machine was said to be in the early stages of development in mid-2023, but until recently the rumor mill had gone all but quiet about its progress.
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has offered a ray of hope for fans of a larger model. "A larger iMac remains something Apple is exploring," he wrote in his latest weekly report. However, Gurman still says it is unclear if the device will use Apple's latest M4 processor. Apple plans to update its 24-inch iMac to an M4 processor later this year, but Gurman's comments suggest that this could be too early for the larger model, given its current development phase.
M4 MacBook Pro, iMac, and Redesigned Mac Mini Coming This Year
June 2023 reported that Apple was in the early stages of developing a new iMac with over a 30-inch display, and that it was further out, suggesting that it might be at least a year or two away from launching. Then in October 2023, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he expected a 32-inch iMac with a mini-LED 32-inch display to come out in 2025. Kuo did not specify, but such a machine could be positioned as an "‌iMac‌ Pro" to replace the 2017 model that Apple discontinued in 2021.
So it seems Apple could still release a larger M4 iMac in 2025, alongside planned processor upgrades the MacBook Air, Mac Pro, and Mac Studio next year. Another possibility is that Apple will hold out for its M5 chip, which could see the bigger iMac arrive in 2026 or later.
When to Expect New M4 MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro Models
Related Roundup: iMac
Tag: Mark Gurman
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Neutral)
Related Forum: iMac
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2024-08-10 14:00:17

iPhone 16 Launch Is Just One Month Out – Here's Everything We Know
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Apple typically releases its new iPhone series in the fall, and a possible September 10 announcement date has been floated this year, which means we are just one month away from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – ‌iPhone 16‌, ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account.
To bring you up to speed, we've summarized below the biggest ‌iPhone 16‌ rumors we've covered so far here on MacRumors. For more details, follow the links, or dive into our dedicated roundups for both iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models.
1. Larger Displays
Biggest Ever iPhones
This year's ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max are rumored to be getting bigger display sizes, increasing to 6.27- and 6.86-inches, respectively. For comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro and ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max are equipped with 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays, respectively. The new display sizes would be the largest ever for the ‌iPhone‌.
2. Vertical Camera Layout
‌iPhone 16‌ & ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus
Apple's ‌iPhone 16‌ base models will feature a vertical camera arrangement with a pill-shaped raised surface, instead of a diagonal camera arrangement like the ‌iPhone 15‌. The new camera bump features two separate camera rings for the Wide and Ultra Wide cameras. The vertical camera layout is expected to enable Spatial Video recording, which is currently limited to the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ models.
3. Battery Changes
All ‌iPhone 16‌ Models
Rumors suggest the ‌‌iPhone 16‌‌ and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max will feature larger batteries than their predecessors, although the smaller ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ device could see the biggest improvement, while the ‌‌iPhone 16‌‌ Plus may have reduced capacity. The ‌iPhone 16‌ is said to have a 6% increase over the ‌iPhone 15‌, with the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max gaining a 5% increase, and the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ seeing a 9% increase. In contrast, the ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus is rumored to have a 9% reduction in capacity. On the other hand, Apple could also potentially use stacked battery technology to increase energy density and prolong lifespan across the lineup.
4. Capture Button
New Camera Capabilities
All ‌iPhone 16‌ models will have a new "Capture Button" dedicated to triggering image or video capture. The button will add features like the ability to zoom in and out by swiping left and right on the button, focus on a subject with a light press, and activate a recording with a more forceful press. The Capture Button will be located on the bottom right side of the ‌‌iPhone 16‌, and will take the place of the mmWave antenna on U.S. ‌‌iPhone‌‌ models, with the antenna relocating to the left side of the device below the volume and Action buttons.
5. Ultra Wide Lens Upgrade
‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ & ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max
The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models are expected to feature an upgraded 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera lens, which should allow it to capture more light, resulting in improved photos when shooting in 0.5× mode, especially in low-light environments. This also means that ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models should be able to shoot 48-megapixel ProRAW photos in Ultra Wide mode. These photos retain more detail in the image file for more editing flexibility, and can be printed at large sizes. The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max is also rumored to boast a bigger main camera thanks to an advanced custom 48-megapixel Sony IMX903 sensor.
6. Super Telephoto Camera
‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max
The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max could be the first to feature a super telephoto periscope camera for dramatically increased optical zoom. "Super" or "ultra" telephoto usually describes cameras with a focal length of over 300mm. The current telephoto lens is equivalent to a 77mm lens, so if accurate, there could be a notable increase in zoom capabilities. Super telephoto cameras are often used for sports and wild animal photography, but the extremely soft backgrounds they create also make them useful for portrait photography, providing there is enough distance between the subject and the photographer.
7. Faster Wi-Fi Support
Wi-Fi 6E & Wi-Fi 7
Apple's 2024 ‌iPhone‌ Pro models are expected to get Wi-Fi 7 in the Pro models, enabling data transfer over the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands simultaneously. This should result in faster Wi-Fi speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connectivity. With technologies such as 4K QAM, Wi-Fi 7 is also expected to offer peak data transfer speeds of over 40 Gbps, a 4× increase over Wi-Fi 6E. Meanwhile, the ‌iPhone 16‌ and ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus is rumored to support Wi-Fi 6E, which works with the 6 GHz band, enabling faster wireless speeds and reduced signal interference.
8. New A18 Series Chips
All ‌iPhone 16‌ Models
Apple's next-generation A18 Pro chip is expected to be manufactured with TSMC's second-generation 3nm process, known as N3E. All four ‌iPhone 16‌ models will be equipped with A18-branded chips, according to rumors, but Apple could still differentiate between the standard models and the Pro models, even giving the chips separate A18 and A18 Pro names. It makes sense for all four ‌‌iPhone 16‌‌ models to have the same A18 chip because of the Apple Intelligence features set to debut in iOS 18. Apple Intelligence requires a high-powered chip for the AI features to run on-device. At this time, only the ‌‌iPhone 15 Pro‌‌ and Pro Max are able to use Apple Intelligence.
9. 5G Qualcomm Modem
‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ & ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max
Apple is expected to use Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon X75 modem in this year's Pro and Pro Max models. The Snapdragon X75 includes improved carrier aggregation and other technology advancements for faster 5G download and upload speeds compared to the X70, which is used in ‌iPhone 15‌ models. The modem's combined mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G transceiver also takes up 25% less circuit board space, and is said to use up to 20% less power. The standard ‌iPhone 16‌ and ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus are expected to retain the Snapdragon X70 modem.
10. Tetraprism Lens
‌iPhone 16 Pro‌
Both ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models are expected to feature 5x optical zoom, which is currently exclusive to the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max. Apple's tetraprism lens system has a "folded" design that allows it to fit inside the smartphone, enabling up to 5x optical zoom and up to 25x digital zoom. In contrast, the current smaller ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ is limited to up to 3x optical zoom, which is in line with the iPhone 14 Pro and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max.
11. Micro-Lens Technology
More Efficient OLED
Apple is said to be weighing up the use of micro-lens technology to maintain or increase the brightness of OLED displays on next year's ‌iPhone 16‌ models while potentially reducing their power consumption. MLA works by using a uniform pattern of billions of lenses inside the panel that reduces internal reflections. These lenses turn the path of light reflected backwards from the inside of the panel towards the screen, which can serve either to increase perceived brightness while maintaining the same level of power consumption, or maintain brightness levels while consuming less power compared to conventional OLED panels at the same luminance.
12. Action Button
‌iPhone 16‌ & ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus
The ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ models include an Action Button, and in 2024, the Action Button is expected to be expanded to the standard iPhone 16 models. The Action Button used across the ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup will be identical to the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Action Button. The Action button, which replaces the traditional mute switch, can perform multiple functions such as activating the Flashlight, turning on the Camera, launching a Shortcut, enabling or disabling a Focus mode, using Translate, turning on/off Silent Mode, and more.
13. 40W Fast Charging and 20W MagSafe
Both ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Models
The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max will support 40W wired fast charging and 20W ‌MagSafe‌ charging, according to a recurring rumor. Right now, ‌iPhone 15‌ and ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ models are capable of up to 27W peak charging speeds with an appropriate USB-C power adapter, while official ‌MagSafe‌ chargers from Apple and authorized third parties can wirelessly charge the ‌iPhone 15‌ models at up to 15W. The charging boost is expected to balance and improve the problem of increasing charging time caused by the increase in battery capacity.
14. Upgraded Microphone
Enhanced Siri
Apple is said to be planning a significant upgrade to the ‌iPhone 16‌ microphone to improve the new Apple Intelligence-enhanced Siri experience, which will include contextual awareness, semantic indexing, app control, and on-screen awareness. Apple's ‌Siri‌ AI ambitions will heavily rely on improved voice input processing, and the new mic is expected to offer significantly enhanced signal-to-noise ratio.
15. New Thermal Design
Reduced Heat
Apple is rumored to be working on a graphene thermal system for the ‌‌iPhone 16‌‌ lineup, while the ‌‌iPhone 16‌‌ Pro models could add metal battery casings to reduce overheating. Graphene has high thermal conductivity, surpassing that of copper, which is currently used in ‌iPhone‌ heat-sinks. Another source has claimed that ‌iPhone 16‌ models will be equipped with a "larger graphite sheet" inside the chassis of the devices, to address potential overheating. The move could be in response to widely encountered overheating issues experienced with the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌, which Apple addressed through a software update.
16. Expanded Storage
Both ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Models
The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max will be available with double the maximum storage capacity as the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ models, increasing from 1TB to 2TB, according to one rumor. The move is said to be a result of Apple's switch to higher-density Quad-Level Cell (QLC) NAND flash for higher storage models. Apple's use of QLC NAND could allow Apple to fit more storage into a smaller space and it is less expensive than Triple-Level Cell (TLC) NAND, which current iPhones use. On the downside, QLC has comparatively slower read and write speeds.
17. Increased Memory
‌iPhone 16‌ & ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus
Apple's ‌iPhone 16‌ and ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus models have been rumored to both feature 8GB of RAM, an increase over the 6GB of RAM in the ‌iPhone 15‌ and ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus. More working memory should equate to improved performance for multitasking on the ‌iPhone‌. Apple has hinted that plenty of RAM is required for Apple Intelligence features, so it is perhaps no coincidence that all devices in the ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup will have at least 8GB of RAM.
18. Upgraded Neural Engine
Enhanced Machine Learning
Apple's next-generation A18 chips will feature an upgraded Neural Engine with "significantly" more cores, according to one Taiwanese report. An upgraded Neural Engine should improve the performance of Apple Intelligence features and machine learning tasks. Apple's ‌iPhone‌ 12 through ‌iPhone 15‌ models all include a 16-core Neural Engine. Despite no difference in core counts across generations, Apple has still managed to improve their performance in successive models.
19. Ultra-Thin Bezel Technology
Maximized Display Size
Apple plans to maximize the display size on the ‌iPhone 16‌ series by using a new ultra-thin bezel technology, according to one rumor. Apple will use Border Reduction Structure (BRS) technology to minimize the bezel at the bottom of the display. BRS achieves this by rolling up the internal copper wiring into a more compact package. Apple reportedly plans to apply the borderless display technology to all four ‌iPhone 16‌ models, but the Pro models will have the thinnest bezels of any smartphone, beating the screen border thinness of even its latest ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ devices.
20. New Polished Titanium Finish
‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ & ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max
Apple will use an improved finishing process for the titanium chassis on the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models, according to one rumor. The new process will allegedly make the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max look more polished than the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ models, which have a brushed finish. The improved manufacturing process will result in a glossy appearance that is more akin to the heavily polished stainless steel material used in previous Pro iPhones. However, the new titanium finish will be less prone to scratches compared to stainless steel.
21. Reduced Lens Flare
Less Photo Artifacts
Apple is said to be testing a new anti-reflective optical coating technology for its ‌iPhone‌ cameras that could improve the quality of photos by reducing artifacts like lens flare and ghosting. Apple plans to bring new atomic layer deposition (ALD) equipment into the ‌iPhone‌ camera lens manufacturing process to apply the coating. ALD-applied materials can also protect against environmental damage to the camera lens system without affecting the sensor's ability to capture light effectively.
22. New Colors
All ‌iPhone 16‌ Models
The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and ‌‌iPhone 16 Pro‌‌ Max are expected to be available in black, white or silver, gray or "Natural Titanium," and rose. This suggests that the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌'s Blue Titanium option will be discontinued and replaced with a new rose color, which could even have a bronze appearance under certain lighting conditions. Meanwhile, the ‌‌iPhone 16‌‌ and ‌‌iPhone 16‌‌ Plus is said to be coming in black, green, pink, blue, and white. Compared to the ‌iPhone 15‌, this means that white will replace yellow, with the other colors remaining the same.
10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 17
Are you looking forward to the ‌iPhone 16‌ series and plan to upgrade, or are you skipping this year's model? Let us know in the comments.
Related Roundups: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro
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2024-08-09 18:30:15

ChatGPT Now Lets You Generate Two Images Per Day For Free
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OpenAI on Thursday announced that ChatGPT now allows users to create up to two images per day for free, with no subscription required. The images are generated by OpenAI's image generation model DALL-E 3.
"Just ask ChatGPT to create an image for a slide deck, personalize a card for a friend, or show you what something looks like," said OpenAI, in a post shared on X.
Additional image generation with DALL-E 3 continues to require a ChatGPT Plus subscription, priced at $20 per month.
later this year. Siri will be able to show ChatGPT answers directly in response to questions and other prompts, but the user will have to grant permission every single time they want to use ChatGPT via Siri.
ChatGPT will also be available within Apple's system-wide Writing Tools feature, allowing users to quickly generate text and images. Apple said ChatGPT will be powered by OpenAI's latest GPT-4o model on its software platforms.
iPhone, iPad, and Mac users will be able to use ChatGPT without creating an account, and this will presumably now include the ability to generate up to two images per day for free. ChatGPT Plus subscribers will be able to connect their accounts to access paid features on these devices, including additional image generation.
Tags: ChatGPT, OpenAI
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2024-08-09 13:15:12

iOS 18: Using the New 'Search Here' Feature in Apple Maps
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In iOS 18, Apple Maps has gained a new "Search here" button that makes it much easier to find what you're looking for in areas that aren't your current location or when you're exploring any new place on the map.
In earlier versions of iOS, if you search nearby for, say, gas stations or restaurants in Apple Maps, and then drag the map to another location with your finger, it will usually (but not always) auto-populate the new area with search results for the same request.
That behavior hasn't changed in iOS 18, but what you now get in addition is a "Search here" button that gives you more manual fine-grained control of the area in which to search. This is especially useful if you adjust the zoom level of the map, or scroll away only slightly from the original search – two instances where auto-populating results can be spotty or sometimes not appear at all.
Google Maps has had this feature for years, so it's good to see that Apple Maps has finally adopted it. iOS 18 also adds other improvements to Apple Maps, including topographic maps complete with trail networks and hikes (a feature that Apple first brought to the Apple Watch last year), as well as options to save favorite trails, download them for offline use, add notes, and get information like elevation and length.
iOS 18 is currently in public beta and will be officially released in the fall, around mid-September, when the iPhone 16 series is launched.
Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Tag: Apple Maps
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
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2024-08-08 19:30:15

Samsung's New 32-Inch Smart Monitor M8 Drops to $448 on Amazon ($251 Off)
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Samsung's newest 32-inch Smart Monitor M80D is being discounted to a new record low price today on Amazon, available for $448.08, down from $699.99. This sale is only available in the Warm White color, and it can be delivered as soon as August 10.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
This new deal beats the previous record low by about $50, and right now it's only available on Amazon. This version of the monitor launched back in June, and it retains many features of the previous model like USB-C charging connectivity, AirPlay 2 support, an integrated webcam, and several smart TV features that enable it to be used when not connected to a PC.
$251 OFF
Samsung 32-Inch Smart Monitor M80D for $448.08
In terms of new features, the M80D includes a Multi Control feature that allows images and text to be moved between the display and a Galaxy Book, Tablet, or Phone. You can also pair Galaxy Buds to the monitor for a spatial audio experience with head tracking, as well as guided workouts when paired with a Galaxy Watch.
Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.
Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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2024-08-08 18:15:12

Apple Loosens App Store External Linking Rules and Changes Fee Structure in European Union
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Apple is today announcing some updates to its Digital Markets Act compliance plan in the European Union, with changes to external linking that give developers more freedom to direct customers to non-App Store purchase options and sales.
EU developers that are operating under the new App Store business terms or the prior ‌App Store‌ purchase terms can update their apps to communicate and promote offers for purchases available through websites, alternative app marketplaces, other apps, and more.
Links to external sources can direct customers outside of the app or to a website with a web view that is available directly in the app. Apple is not directing the design of communications provided to customers, nor is the company dictating what developers are able to say.
Developers can provide information about lower prices outside of the ‌App Store‌, more affordable subscriptions, or any offer available in or outside the app. External links and offer pages can include explanations and instructions about how customers can subscribe to offers outside of the ‌App Store‌ app, though Apple says that communications have to provide accurate information on the digital goods or services available for purchase.
Links can be tapped, clicked, or scanned to take users to their destination, and developers have no restrictions on the number of URLs they include. Links with additional parameters, redirects, and intermediate links are allowed, but not for ad tracking purposes.
Developers do not have to opt in to the new terms with the Core Technology Fee to take advantage of these link entitlement changes, but must agree to the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement Addendum, which is coming this fall. These terms require developers to use the StoreKit External Purchase APIs, report external purchase transactions, and pay fees and commissions.
There are two fees that are associated with directing customers to purchase options outside of the ‌App Store‌. A 5 percent initial acquisition fee is paid for all sales of digital goods and services that the customer makes on any platform that occur within a 12-month period after an initial install. The fee does not apply to transactions made by customers that had an initial install before the new link changes, but is applicable for new downloads.
Apple says that the initial acquisition fee reflects the value that the ‌App Store‌ provides when connecting developers with customers in the European Union.
The store services fee, which is in addition to the initial acquisition fee, is a commission that developers pay Apple on all sales of digital goods and services that the customer makes on any platform that occur within a fixed 12-month period from the date of an install, including app updates and reinstalls.
According to Apple, the store services fee reflects the ongoing services and capabilities that Apple provides developers, including app distribution and management, ‌App Store‌ trust and safety, re-discovery, re-engagement and promotional tools and services, anti-fraud checks, recommendations, and ratings and reviews.
While the initial acquisition fee is the same for both developers that use the link entitlement under the new business terms and those that use link entitlements under the current terms, the store services fee varies. For the new business terms, the base fee is 10 percent, but it drops to 5 percent for ‌App Store‌ Small Business Program participants and auto-renewal subscriptions after one year. These fees are in addition to the Core Technology Fee of 0.50 euros per first annual install over one million first annual installs.
has a fee calculator that can help EU developers figure out what they'll need to pay.
New business terms - Includes using alternative payment methods in the ‌App Store‌ or distributing outside of the ‌App Store‌ - 5% initial acquisition fee and 5% to 10% store services fee depending on app size, plus Core Technology Fee. Total is 10% to 15% commission, along with the CTF. There is also a payment processing fee of 3% when using the ‌App Store‌'s payment options.
Standard business terms - 5% initial acquisition fee and 7% to 20% store services fee depending on app size. Total is 12% to 27% commission.
There is one other notable change that Apple is making, and that's giving customers an option to turn off in-app disclosure sheets. By default, Apple will still warn users when they are clicking a link that takes them to non-Apple purchase methods and options, but customers can choose to turn off these warnings when an app links to an external channel. An app that links to an in-app web view will only need to display the disclosure sheet once per session.
Apple's developer website and in the specific Digital Markets Act page that Apple updates regularly.
iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, tvOS 18, visionOS 2, and watchOS 11 this fall.
Tags: App Store, European Union, Apple Developer Program
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2024-08-08 17:30:15

M4 Mac Mini to Become Apple's Smallest Ever Computer With Complete Redesign
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Apple is planning to debut a completely redesigned Mac mini later this year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.
Apple TV.
More to follow...
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2024-08-08 17:00:18

Sonos Delays Launch of Arc Soundbar Successor to Focus on Fixing App
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Sonos will delay two major product releases that were originally planned later this year in order to focus on improving the quality of its app, according to the company's CEO.
Speaking on his third quarter earnings call, Sonos chief Patrick Spence told investors that it was "deeply disappointing for me personally" for the company to be on track for the first three quarters of the year, only to revise its expectations for the fourth quarter due to "challenges with our new app."
redesigned app with customizable home screen and a more personalized listening service, but Sonos customers quickly found that the app lacked several key features, and suffered from multiple bugs. Complaints across social media called the app a "step back" for removing playlist management, alarms, and other features.
The Verge – would now be delayed to focus on improving the company's software.
Spence told investors:
"The app situation has become a headwind to existing product sales, and we believe our focus needs to be addressing the app ahead of everything else," said Spence. "This means delaying the two major new product releases we had planned for Q4 until our app experience meets the level of quality that we, our customers and our partners expect from Sonos. While this has the painful effect of reducing our Q4 sales expectations, we believe it will set our future products up for greater success over the medium to long term."
Spence reiterated an outline of future feature plans that he previously laid out in an apology to users last month, with Sonos planning to push updates on a bi-weekly basis. Among the scheduled plans, alarms are set to be addressed in September, while edit mode for playlists and a queue will come in September or October.
Hands-On With the New Sonos 'Ace' Headphones
Tag: Sonos
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2024-08-08 14:45:12

Would You Subscribe to Apple Intelligence? Analysts Say Some Features Could Cost Up to $20 Per Month
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Apple reportedly plans to turn some Apple Intelligence features into paid subscription services, and some analysts believe the company could charge users up to $20 per month for the privilege.
Last month, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman said that while Apple Intelligence will be free to start, Apple's long-term plan is to launch something like "Apple Intelligence+," with extra features that users pay monthly fees to access, similar to iCloud+.
CNBC, Counterpoint Research's Neil Shah said Apple could offer the features as part of a modified Apple One subscription, and he believes an additional figure of between $10 and $20 is a realistic possibility.
CNBC in an interview last week.
Apple One costs $19.95 a month and gives users access to various Apple services like Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Fitness+, additional cloud storage, and more.
CNBC.
"As a result, it has set a precedent with its users that they have to pay for more premium services. On this basis, it can't be ruled out that Apple may choose to charge for more advanced features within its Apple Intelligence offering."
Wood added that Apple Intelligence could give the company an option to launched a bundled subscription service with various services under a single price, akin to a new Apple One tier.
steep increase in services revenue at $24.2 billion, up from $21.2 billion a year ago and a new all-time revenue record. Analysts believe that making its own AI features another services revenue stream could allow Apple to compensate for the slower pace of hardware upgrades and also enable the company to pass the high cost of its investment in AI onto customers.
reportedly started building its own AI servers that use the M2 Ultra chip, and it is said to be developing its own AI server processor using TSMC's 3nm process for use as soon as 2025, which could enhance the performance of its data centers and future AI tools that rely on the cloud.
according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo said he expects Apple to spend "at least" $620 million on servers in 2023 and $4.75 billion on servers in 2024.
Tags: CNBC, Apple Intelligence
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2024-08-08 13:30:16

iPhone 16 Display Mass Production Ramped Up Ahead of Launch
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Apple suppliers have ramped up mass production of iPhone 16 OLED panels ahead of the smartphone's launch in September, reports ETNews.
Both Samsung Display and LG Display began initial production of iPhone 16 OLED panels in June, and significantly ramped up production last month, according to the report.
Apple's iPhone 16 shipment forecast for this year is around 90 million units, while it's estimated that the number of OLED panels produced will be approximately 30% higher, at around 120 million units.
By the end of the year, Samsung Display is expected to supply about 80 million OLED panels, while LG Display is projected to supply around 43 million panels. Both companies are on track with their production schedules to meet these targets.
The panels are being sent off to the factories in Apple's supply chain that will assemble the finished ‌iPhone 16‌ models in time for shipping. Going on previous year's, Apple will release the new models around mid-September, with Tuesday, September 10 being floated as a possible announcement date.
The ‌iPhone 16‌, ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus, ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌, and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max will look similar to the iPhone 15 models, but Apple is increasing the size of the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max.
The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ will have a 6.3-inch display (up from 6.1 inches) while the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max will have a 6.9-inch display (up from 6.7 inches). Display sizes for the standard ‌iPhone 16‌ models will not change, and the ‌iPhone 16‌ will measure in at 6.1 inches while the ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus will have a 6.7-inch display.
5 Biggest Changes Rumored for iPhone 16 Pro Max
Other new features rumored for the ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup include a new "Capture" button for taking images and videos in landscape mode, faster A-series chips, camera updates, and Wi-Fi 7 and faster 5G modems for some models.
dedicated roundup.
Related Roundups: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro
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2024-08-07 22:45:12

With the Google Antitrust Ruling, Will Apple Build a Search Engine?
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Earlier this week, a federal court ruled that Google's lucrative default search engine deal with Apple violates antitrust law. Google plans to appeal the decision and the court hasn't provided insight into how it plans to address Google's monopoly, but there is a chance Google will no longer be able to pay to be the default search engine on Apple devices.
Google's Payments to Apple
For many years, Google has paid Apple billions to be the primary search engine on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. When you use the Safari browser, Google Search is the default option, and that's because Google pays for the privilege. You can pop into the Settings app and swap to a different search engine like Bing or DuckDuckGo, but most people don't bother with that.
paid Apple $20 billion, which is around 36 percent of the total revenue that it earns from Safari searches. So Apple gets a big payout each year, and Google gets major reach from Apple's huge install base.
In its antitrust ruling, the court suggested that Apple has the "financial, technological, and human resources" to develop its own search engine, but has not done so because of the money that it receives from Google. The court acknowledges that Apple would have to take on other risks like risking brand reputation for an inferior product, but states that the revenue share payments "unquestionably" keep Apple "on the sidelines of search."
Apple Search Engine Rumors
So if Apple's deal with Google goes away, will Apple enter the search market?
The Information said that Apple had been working on a web search engine since 2022, but Apple was still at least four years away from launching such a product. That report suggested Apple could use its own search product work as leverage during renegotiations with Google.
Siri Suggestions, and content provided by ‌Siri‌ to answer user queries. It's possible that Apple could spin some of its Spotlight technology into a web search feature in the future, or that it could leverage Apple Intelligence. With AI and the changes coming to ‌Siri‌ in 2024 and 2025, ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, and Mac users may start to transition away from traditional web searches anyway, relying more on other search tools.
Apple definitely has the money to enter into the search engine market, and the background is there too with Safari, but there are alternatives.
Other Search Engines
During the antitrust case, documents revealed that Microsoft tried for years to get Apple to switch over to Bing as the default search engine on Safari. Microsoft even pushed for a sale of Bing to Apple, but Apple did not think that Bing could compete with Google in "quality and capabilities."
Eddy Cue testified that there "wasn't a valid alternative" to Google, and that Apple has stuck with Google because "we've always thought it was the best." Trial documents further revealed that Cue believed that there was "no price that Microsoft could ever offer [Apple] to make the switch," with Cue blaming Bing's "inferior quality" and the "business risk of making a change."
Apple executives also discussed DuckDuckGo, specifically as the default for private browsing mode, but said it is "not a great search engine" and "not good enough."
Possible Search Solutions
Google could be told that it is not allowed to pay to be the default search engine on Safari, removing Apple's financial incentive to prioritize Google's search engine.
to select a browser as their default during the device setup process, providing alternatives to Safari. The U.S. court could require a similar setup process for search engines, allowing users to choose a search engine from a list when activating a device for the first time.
In this situation, rather than Apple automatically setting Google Search as the default search engine, users would make the selection themselves at device setup. There would be no need for the extra step of opening the Settings app and finding the Safari options to swap search engines.
The lawsuit targets Google, so it's unlikely that the court would force Apple to provide search engine choice in this situation, but Apple might be willing to offer that option if it doesn't have a financial reason not to do so.
Appeals
Google is going to appeal the court's decision, so the deal between Apple and Google isn't in immediate danger because the rest of the lawsuit needs to play out.
Wrap Up
If the United States Justice Department and courts are correct that Apple's deal with Google is holding Apple back from developing its own search engine, putting a stop to payments could spur Apple to develop a search product.
It's clear that Apple is unlikely to establish a partnership with another company like Bing or even purchase a search engine because it sees all of the non-Google options as not good enough. Based on what we know right now, Apple's best move without Google revenue could be to get into search on its own.
Tags: Google, Microsoft
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2024-08-07 19:15:12

Apple to Address '0.0.0.0' Security Vulnerability in Safari 18
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Apple plans to block websites from attempting to send malicious requests to the IP address 0.0.0.0 on macOS Sequoia, according to Forbes. The means the change will be part of Safari 18, which will also be available for macOS Sonoma and macOS Ventura.
This decision comes after researchers from Israeli cybersecurity startup Oligo Security said they discovered a zero-day security vulnerability that allows a malicious actor to access private data on a user's internal private network. The researchers will present their findings this weekend at the DEF CON hacking conference in Las Vegas.
"Exploiting 0.0.0.0-day can let the attacker access the internal private network of the victim, opening a wide range of attack vectors," said Avi Lumelsky, a researcher at Oligo Security.
on the AppSec Village website.
Related Roundup: macOS Sequoia
Tag: Safari
Related Forum: macOS Sequoia
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2024-08-07 10:45:12

Apple Maps Real-Time Transit Information Now Available in Tokyo
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Real-time transit information in Apple Maps has been expanded to Tokyo, Japan, enabling users to get live details of more than 20 railway, bus, and tram lines throughout the metropolitan area, Apple has announced.
With real-time updates on ‌Apple Maps‌, users in Tokyo can view detailed schedules, real-time departure and arrival times, and transfers to help plan their journeys. Apple adds that important real-time transit information such as service suspensions and delays will also be provided.
Apple says the transit information in its Maps app covers services provided by JR East, Tokyo Metro, and other agencies through the ODPT (Open Data Public Transportation Council).
iOS 18 this fall, users across Japan will also be able to explore detailed topographic maps on their iPhones, complete with contour lines, shaded relief, and hiking trails.
Tags: Apple Maps, Japan
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2024-08-05 23:30:15

Everything New in iOS 18 Beta 5
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With the fifth beta of iOS 18 that came out today, Apple added some notable new features, even though it's getting later in the beta testing process. There are design updates to the Photos app and a whole new Safari option, along with several smaller changes.
Photos App Changes
Apple responded to tester feedback about the ‌Photos‌ app, and there have been some changes to streamline the design. The carousel that allowed users to swipe through different Collections from the main ‌Photos‌ grid has been removed entirely, making the app less confusing and repetitive.
The ‌Photos‌ app still has a unified one-screen design, opening up to the photo grid where you can see all of your photos. With the update, more grid images can be seen at once, and you can scroll down to get to Collections.
Users who have multiple albums will see their albums higher up in the ‌Photos‌ app, and Recently Saved content is now integrated into the Recent Days collection. The order of Collections can be customized, as customization tools remain. You can decide what you want to see in the ‌Photos‌ app and where.
Distraction Control in Safari
Apple added a new Distraction Control feature to Safari, which allows iPhone users to hide distracting elements from a webpage or article. Sign in windows, cookie preference popups, GDPR notices, newsletter signup banners, autoplay videos, and more can be hidden from sight.
Distraction Control is not an ad blocker and it will not hide dynamic elements on a page, such as ads. You can use the feature to temporarily hide them, but when an ad refreshes, it shows back up. It is meant for static page elements.
Distraction Control can be accessed from the Safari webpage settings. Tap on the settings and then choose the Hide Distracting Items option. From there, you can tap the element on the page that you want to hide. Distraction Control does not sync, and page elements must be hidden separately on each of your devices. You can reveal anything hidden by going into the settings and tapping on Show Hidden Items.
Home Screen Options
If you long press on the Home Screen and choose "Edit," there is a new "Edit Pages" option. With this setting, you can delete entire ‌Home Screen‌ pages, or hide them from view. This is the same interface you can get to by tapping on the three dots at the bottom of the display when in the ‌Home Screen‌ edit mode, it's just clearer with better labeling.
Dark Mode Icons
Apple changed some Dark Mode options, redesigning the Maps icon once again and updating the Find My icon. The Maps icon is now black, white, gray, and blue, with Apple eliminating the other colors, while ‌Find My‌ now has more obvious rings in different shades of green.
Dark Mode Search
When you search for an app using the search interface, the app icon now correctly shows up in ‌Dark Mode‌ when ‌Dark Mode‌ is turned on. Previously, search showed Light Mode icons.
Control Center
Apple has altered the design of some Control Center icons.
Several icons have larger graphics:
Voice Memo
Stopwatch
Airplane Mode
Home
Remote
Shortcuts Open App option
Calculator
Scan Code
Magnifier
Wallet
Tap to Cash
Assistive and Guided Access
Hearing, Live Captions, and Left-Right Stereo Balance
Switch Control, Voice Control, Full Keyboard Access, Assistive Touch, Apple Watch Mirroring, Control Nearby Devices, and Eye Tracking.
Almost all Vision Accessibility icons
And there are several design changes:
Orientation Lock is now a red lock with a pink arrow.
Screen Recording has a smaller inner dot and a thicker outer dot. When activated, the outer circle is a darker red, the inner circle is the same bright red.
Screen Mirroring has different sized rectangles with one darker and one lighter.
Cellular Data now has four signal bars instead of an antenna.
Orientation Lock now has a gray arrow instead of a white arrow.
Shortcuts now includes a black and white version of the Shortcuts icon.
The Low Power Mode toggle battery graphic shows less of a charge and the battery outline is now gray instead of white. When it's on, the battery level and outline both turn yellow.
The Live Speech toggle has a white keyboard and a gray sound wave instead of the opposite.
Headphone Accommodations now has an ear icon instead of a headphones icon.
The Vehicle Motion Cues toggle now has a car icon instead of just dots.
Smart Invert's colors have changed (white main, and gray star, instead of the opposite).
Apple has also removed the non-functional Bluetooth Power Toggle setting that popped up in the last beta.
More New Changes
Know of a new feature in ‌iOS 18‌ beta 5 that we left out? Let us know in the comments below.
Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia
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2024-08-05 11:30:16

Gurman: M4 MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, and iMac Coming This Year
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Apple will update its MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, and iMac lines with its latest M4 chip later this year, according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman.
Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said Apple is preparing to upgrade every Mac to the new Apple silicon processor generation. Following the launch of the M4 iPad Pro in May, Apple will continue the transition with the above mentioned Macs, and complete it with updates for the MacBook Air, Mac Pro, and Mac Studio in 2025.
One interesting tidbit from Gurman's latest report is that while the M4 overhaul is mostly focused on making Apple's machines more powerful – with the M4 processor's enhanced neural engine for handling AI tasks – there is "at least one Mac model that will get more dramatic changes."
reported that Apple is working on a thinner version of the MacBook Pro.
Related Roundups: iMac, MacBook Pro 14 & 16" , Mac mini
Tag: Mark Gurman
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Neutral), 14" & 16" MacBook Pro (Caution), Mac Mini (Caution)
Related Forums: iMac, MacBook Pro, Mac mini
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2024-08-02 21:45:12

TikTok Sued by United States Justice Department for Violating Child Privacy Laws
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The United States Department of Justice today sued TikTok and its parent company ByteDance for violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). COPPA makes it illegal for websites to collect, use, and disclose data from children under the age of 13 without parental consent.
The lawsuit [PDF] alleges that from 2019 on, TikTok has knowingly allowed children to create TikTok accounts and to create, view, and share videos and messages with adults and others on the TikTok platform. TikTok is accused of collecting and retaining personal information from children without consent from their parents. Data was collected even from accounts created in Kids Mode.
Millions of children under 13 have used the regular TikTok app, which the DoJ says has subjected them to "extensive data collection" and allowed them to "interact with adult users and access adult content." TikTok is also accused of making it difficult for parents to get their child's account and data deleted.
The Department of Justice is seeking civil penalties for every COPPA violation and injunctive relief that would prevent TikTok from continuing to collect data from children.
embroiled in a lawsuit with the U.S. government over a bill that requires the social network to be sold off to a non-Chinese company or face a ban in the United States. TikTok parent company ByteDance has until January 19, 2025 to find a buyer for TikTok, but a sale is unlikely because the Chinese government would need to approve the divestiture, and it has said that it would "firmly oppose" any effort to sell TikTok.
Tag: TikTok
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2024-08-02 14:30:14

Report: Apple's First Foldable iPad Could Face Delays
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Apple's first foldable device may not hit its schedule for mass production in 2025 or 2026, based on new comments made by Haitong analyst Jeff Pu.
In a note to investors seen by MacRumors, Pu said that he continued to expect enhanced Apple product power driven by the likes of the iPhone 17 and Apple Intelligence, but this came despite some "pushouts" seen for Apple's foldable iPad.
When investors or analysts use the term "pushout" in relation to product releases, they typically mean the expected release date has been moved further into the future, either because there's a delay in the development or manufacturing process, or the company has decided to postpone the launch for other reasons.
May report, Pu said Apple's first foldable devices would reach mass production in 2025 and 2026, following increasing evidence of foldable devices in Apple's supply chain. At the time, the analyst said Apple would likely release a large-screen foldable iPad or MacBook in that timeframe before launching a higher-volume foldable iPhone.
Tags: Jeff Pu, Foldable iPad
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2024-08-02 01:30:15

Apple's Q3 2024 Earnings Call Takeaways
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Apple today held an earnings call for the third fiscal quarter of 2024 (second calendar quarter), with Apple reporting its best June quarter to date, with revenue higher than expected. Apple CEO Tim Cook and Apple CFO Luca Maestri provided some insight into Apple's performance, iPad sales, services growth, AI plans, and more.
We've highlighted the most interesting tidbits from the Q3 2024 earnings call.
iPhone Performance
Apple CEO ‌Tim Cook‌ said that the iPhone 15 models did better than the iPhone 14 models. The install base hit an all-time high during the June quarter.
iPhone 16, Apple CEO ‌Tim Cook‌ said that the company is "very excited" about Apple Intelligence and the level of value that Apple will provide to users. Cook said that Apple Intelligence presents "another reason for a compelling upgrade."
Apple Intelligence
On Apple Intelligence, Cook said that Apple can't wait to see what kind of amazing things developers do with Apple Intelligence. Cook expects that developers will adopt Apple Intelligence in their apps on a broad basis, with features that are applicable to many types of apps.
He confirmed that Apple is planning a staggered rollout of the Apple Intelligence features. There are some functions that will come over the course of the year, and languages beyond U.S. English will not be available at launch.
Siri is expected before the end of the calendar year.
Apple is investing more in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, with plans to increase that on a yearly basis.
iPad Sales
Apple saw a sharp increase in ‌iPad‌ sales thanks to the launch of the M4 iPad Pro and the M2 iPad Air during the quarter. ‌iPad‌ revenue was at $7.2 billion, up 24 percent from $5.8 billion in the year-ago quarter.
Services Revenue
Apple saw a steep increase in services revenue at $24.2 billion, up from $21.2 billion a year ago and a new all-time revenue record. Paid subscriptions hit an all-time high, and Apple has more than one billion paid subscriptions across services. Apple set new records in advertising, cloud, and payment services.
Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade content.
Other Product Revenue
iPhone revenue dropped one percent ($39.3B), Mac revenue was up two percent ($7B), and Home, Accessories, and Wearables fell two percent ($8.1B).
Digital Markets Act
Maestri said that Apple is continuing to discuss its DMA compliance with the European Commission. Apple has seen "a good level of adoption" from developers on the changes, and in general, results for the services business and for the App Store have been "pretty good until now."
Maestri once again reiterated that the ‌App Store‌ is responsible for seven percent of the total revenue that Apple earns in the European Union.
iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia launch.
September Quarter
Apple said that it expects September quarter revenue to grow year over year at a rate similar to the June quarter. Services revenue is expected to grow double digits, similar to the rest of this year. Gross margin is expected to be 45.5 and 46.6 percent.
MacBook Air in fall 2023. There have been rumors that we could see refreshed M4 MacBook Pros before the end of the year, but if Apple is expecting Mac revenue to fall, that may not happen.
Tag: Earnings
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2024-08-01 21:45:12

Apple Updates App Store Guidelines for PC Emulator Apps
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Apple today refreshed its App Store Guidelines created for developers, modifying the emulator rules to include express permission for PC emulators to download games.
Guideline 4.7 has been updated to state that PC emulator apps can offer to download games. The guideline previously said that console emulator apps could include the option to download games, but it did not explicitly cover PC emulators.
App Store approval of PC emulator UTM SE, which lets users emulate old versions of Windows, macOS, and Linux to use classic software and games.
allowing retro game emulators back in April. Apple told the app's developers at the time that it violated the ‌App Store‌ guidelines because a "PC is not a console." The developers behind UTM SE were able to make some technical changes, and Apple ultimately approved the app.
UTM SE was the first PC emulator app to be allowed on the ‌App Store‌, but the guideline changes today will streamline the approval process for similar apps.
Apple has also updated its separate guidelines for app notarization, which applies to third-party apps that are submitted for distribution outside of the ‌App Store‌ in the European Union. ‌App Store‌ guidelines 4.7, 4.7.2, and 4.7.3 are now applicable to the notarization process.
The 4.7 guideline allows for mini apps, mini games, streaming games, chatbots, plug-ins, and game emulators. 4.7.2 prevents apps from extending or exposing native platform APIs to the software without Apple's permission, and 4.7.3 says that apps may not share data or privacy permissions to any individual software offered within an app without user consent. Prior to today's update, these guidelines were not part of the EU notarization review process.
iPhone and iPad, and an app must have Apple approval to run on an Apple device.
Tags: App Store, App Store Review Guidelines, Apple Developer Program
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2024-08-01 21:15:13

2024-08-01 20:30:15

Apple Files Motion to Dismiss Department of Justice Antitrust Lawsuit
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Apple today filed a motion to dismiss its ongoing lawsuit with the United States Department of Justice, a standard step in the litigation process. In its motion to dismiss, Apple argues that the government's complaint has not demonstrated anticompetitive conduct, anticompetitive effect that harms consumers, or that Apple is a monopoly power in the U.S. smartphone market. The government needs to prove all three of these claims for a successful antitrust lawsuit.
For the anticompetitive allegation, the DoJ lawsuit focused on third-party access to Apple services and features, but Apple argues that there is longstanding Supreme Court precedent that companies can set the terms and conditions of their third-party dealings. Apple claims that the DoJ is attempting to force it to spend money to develop tools for big business competitors, which could have a "chilling" effect on innovation. The DoJ suggested, for example, that Apple should have developed an iMessage app for Android.
iMessage is Apple's proprietary, innovative messaging service that Apple created to competitively differentiate iPhone. Under the Government's view, companies like Apple should face antitrust liability for not expending the resources, cost, and time to develop versions of proprietary products and services for competitors' devices.
Apple points out that the DoJ's complaint does not explain how Apple's alleged limiting of "super apps," cloud streaming apps, digital wallets, messaging apps, and competing smartwatches has harmed consumers or impacted consumer choice about which smartphone to purchase. For a successful antitrust lawsuit, the DoJ needs to prove that Apple's actions hurt consumers and stifle competition, and the DoJ argues that Apple has "locked" customers into its ecosystem.
It is implausible to claim, as the Government does, that Apple has deterred any customers from switching to Google or Samsung because of its policies with respect to "super apps," cloud gaming, smartwatches, or anything else. The opposite is much more plausible: Users unhappy with Apple's reasonable policies on third-party access can and do switch away to competitors' devices, where those limits do not exist.
Apple argues that it is not a monopolist because it faces competition from companies like Google and Samsung, preventing the government from establishing the "typical hallmarks of monopoly power." Apple does not have enough U.S. smartphone marketshare to make the monopoly claim easy for the government to establish. The DoJ has compared Apple to Microsoft, but Microsoft had a 95 percent share of the operating system market when it faced an antitrust lawsuit, while Apple's is closer to 65 percent.
Apple further suggests that the DoJ is aiming to have the court establish a "new theory of antitrust liability" that no prior court has recognized and that would provide "unprecedented authority to control Apple design choices." Apple says that the DoJ is targeting the very features that distinguish iPhones from competing devices, and if the DoJ ultimately wins the case, courts would need to "oversee product-design and policy choices," which they are not equipped to do.
A motion to dismiss limits the information that Apple can provide to dispute the DoJ's claims, and rulings often favor plaintiffs. The allegations that the DoJ made are assumed to be true at this stage, and Apple needs to prove that the claims fail as a matter of law. For this reason, the lawsuit is likely to progress, though claims could be narrowed and there is a chance for dismissal.
If the court rules in the Department of Justice's favor on the dismissal, there will be many future chances for Apple to sway the court because this is a legal battle that will span years.
After Apple's motion to dismiss, the government has until September 12 to file an opposition brief. From there, Apple will file a reply brief on October 10, and there could be a possible hearing after that. A ruling on the motion to dismiss is expected in late 2024 or early 2025.
Should the government win, Apple will file an answer to the initial complaint, leading to a discovery period where both parties provide documents, expert testimony, and depositions, which can last for over a year. A summary judgment will follow, which is where Apple can make a stronger case, and that might not happen until 2027. Should the case ultimately go to trial, a trial could take place sometime in 2028, or even later.
we have a dedicated guide that highlights everything you need to know about the U.S. vs. Apple legal fight.
Tags: Apple Lawsuits, DOJ, Apple Antitrust, Apple vs. DoJ
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2024-08-01 16:00:17

How to Enable Apple Intelligence If You're Outside the US
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Apple is introducing a set of AI features in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 under the banner "Apple Intelligence." These features are officially only currently available in beta to developers in the US, but it's actually pretty easy to get it up and running on iPhones and iPads in most other locations with the exception of the European Union and China.
The main reason Apple has limited region access to Apple Intelligence is that it only supports US English at this time, but if you can work with that – and you have a compatible device – then there's no technical reason why you can't start exploring the new AI features.
Supported Devices
Apple Intelligence encompasses a range of capabilities, including composing text and emails, automating actions across various apps, generating images, summarizing documents and texts, and more. However, these features require a lot of on-device computing power, so before you do anything, it's worth checking if your device is compatible. iPhone users need either an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max to run Apple Intelligence, while only iPads powered by M1 or later Apple silicon processors are compatible.
Install Beta Software
If your device is supported, the first thing you need to do is install the developer beta for your device. Once you've followed the instructions provided in the linked article and your device is up and running with the latest beta, follow these steps on your iPhone or iPad.
Open Settings, then tap through to General ➝ Language & Region.
Tap Add Language.. and choose English (US).
Tap Region and choose United States. (Note that this won't affect your App Store regions or purchases.)
Return to the main Settings menu and tap Apple Intelligence & Siri.
Tap Language and choose English (United States).
You will now be able to join the Apple Intelligence waitlist, which in most cases gets accepted in just a few minutes. Under the Apple Intelligence header text, tap Join Waitlist.
After what should hopefully be a short wait, the message will change to Turn On Apple Intelligence. Tap it, and a welcome message should appear, indicating you have sucessfully enabled the AI features on your device.
here about all of the Apple Intelligence features available in the iOS 18.1 developer beta. Note that some of the Apple Intelligence additions won't be coming until later.
Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Tag: Apple Intelligence
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
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2024-08-01 12:30:15

iPhone 16 Pro White, Gray, and Dark Black Colors Shown in New Image
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Leaker Sonny Dickson is back today with a new dummy unit image showing three alleged iPhone 16 Pro color variants, including a seemingly darker Black Titanium unit compared to the color of the same name on existing iPhone 15 Pro models.
The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to come in black, white or silver, gray or "Natural Titanium," and a rose or rose gold color replacing Blue Titanium, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and other leakers.
bronze-like hue. Apple did not include a gold option in the iPhone 15 lineup, so a similar variant could see heightened demand.
rumor suggests that Apple is using an improved process for finishing and coloring titanium, which will result in a glossier look than the brushed aluminum finish of the iPhone 15 Pro models. The glossy finish could look much more like the stainless steel that Apple used in prior years, but it will be more resistant to scratches.
Wednesday.
Related Roundup: iPhone 16 Pro
Tag: Sonny Dickson
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2024-08-01 12:15:12

2024-08-01 12:00:18

2024-08-01 00:15:12

Sonos Fixes Bug Causing Battery Drain on iPhone and iPad
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Sonos today rolled out a fix for a bug with the Sonos app that has been causing it to drain a significant amount of battery on the iPhone and iPad. If you've been having battery life issues and are a Sonos user, you may want to install the update ASAP.
Sonos community manager Keith Nieves confirmed the bug fix on Reddit (via The Verge), stating that the latest version of the app addresses an unspecified issue that was causing excessive battery use on some Apple devices. There have been several complaints about the app's battery usage over the course of the last week, with the Sonos app running constantly in the background.
Unfortunately, several Reddit users have since said they're having issues with the update, which seems to be causing a "No System Found" error message. This is a bug that existed previously, but the update seems to have increased the frequency of the error. Other users have had to re-add their speakers to the Sonos app.
providing bi-weekly updates for its iOS app in an effort to fix an ill-received design overhaul. Back in May, Sonos introduced a redesigned iPhone and iPad app that was meant to provide a more personalized and customizable experience, but it brought several bugs and also removed key features that Sonos customers rely on.
Sonos users have been unhappy with the app, and last week, Sonos CEO Patrick Spence penned an apology and outlined the updates that Sonos will introduce over the next few months. Music Library configuration is set to return in August, while user interface improvements and system stability will be addressed in September.
Tag: Sonos
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2024-07-31 23:45:12

Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 200 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements
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Apple today released a new update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser that was first introduced in March 2016. Apple designed ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ to allow users to test features that are planned for future release versions of the Safari browser.
‌Safari Technology Preview‌ 200 includes fixes and updates for CSS, JavaScript, Rendering, and Web Extensions.
macOS Sonoma and the macOS Sequoia beta. Set to launch this fall, ‌macOS Sequoia‌ is the newest version of macOS that Apple is working on. The ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ browser numbering is sequential, so Apple has released 200 updates to its test browser in the last eight years.
downloaded the browser from Apple's website. Complete release notes for the update are available on the Safari Technology Preview website.
Apple's aim with ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ is to gather feedback from developers and users on its browser development process. ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ can run side-by-side with the existing Safari browser and while it is designed for developers, it does not require a developer account to download and use.
Tag: Safari Technology Preview
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2024-07-29 14:00:17

Apple Fixes iCloud Private Relay After Extended Outage
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Apple has resolved the iCloud Private Relay service outage, restoring full functionality for users around the world after several days of disruption.
The recent iCloud Private Relay outage began at 02:34 AM Eastern Time on Thursday and lasted until 10:59 PM Eastern Time on Saturday. The issue disrupted web browsing for some users for over 48 hours, which is an unusually long period for an Apple service outage. The problem was confirmed by Apple through its System Status webpage, where it noted that the service might have been slow or unavailable.
‌iCloud‌ Private Relay is a feature available to ‌iCloud‌+ subscribers, designed to enhance privacy by encrypting browsing data and routing it through two separate relay servers. One of these servers is operated by Apple, while the other is managed by a third party. This setup ensures that neither Apple, internet service providers, nor the websites visited can access users' true browsing information. The service's dual-relay mechanism helps maintain a high level of privacy by separating the user's IP address from their DNS queries, which further obscures the user's online activity.
Tag: iCloud
Related Forum: Apple Music, Apple Pay/Card, iCloud, Fitness+
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2024-07-29 12:30:14

Apple to Manufacture 'Pro' iPhone Models in India for the First Time
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Apple is set to expand its manufacturing footprint in India by producing high-end iPhone "Pro" models in the country for the first time, according to a new report from MoneyControl.
Apple started ‌iPhone‌ production in India in 2017 with the original iPhone SE. Since then, it has progressively increased its manufacturing activities in the country, assembling models such as the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14. The production of these models in India, however, began several months after their global launch. This changed with the iPhone 15 and ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus, which were manufactured and available in India from day one of their global release.
iPhone 16 Pro and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max in the country later this year. The production of the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models will be managed by Apple's long-standing partner, Foxconn, at its Sriperumbudur facility in Tamil Nadu. The facility will soon begin the New Product Introduction (NPI) process, with mass production slated to begin once the devices launch.
iPhone 16 lineup, planning to produce 90 million units in 2024, a 10% increase from last year's ‌iPhone 15‌ models.
manufacturing the iPad in India for the first time. Likewise, the company is rumored to have plans to start manufacturing AirPods in India starting later this year.
Related Roundup: iPhone 16 Pro
Tag: India
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2024-07-27 01:30:13

Six New Features iOS 18 Brings to the AirPods Pro
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iOS 18 is an update designed for the iPhone, but it adds several new features to the AirPods Pro 2, Apple's latest earbuds. The new capabilities require ‌iOS 18‌, iPadOS 18, or macOS Sequoia and a firmware update that will be released when Apple releases its new software this fall.
This guide highlights all of the changes that are coming to the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2.
Head Gestures
If you've ever been in a situation where you needed to confirm a Siri request or decline a call without using a voice command or your hands, there's a solution coming.
Head gestures are a new form of ‌AirPods Pro‌ control that will let you nod your head up and down or shake it back and forth to decline a call or interact with ‌Siri‌. When you get a call, you can essentially shake your head no to decline it or nod yes to accept it.
When you're responding to ‌Siri‌ for controlling notifications and incoming or outgoing messages, you can use the same gestures for yes and no without having to speak.
Voice Isolation
With Voice Isolation, the ‌AirPods Pro‌ can cut down on loud background sounds when you're on a phone call, allowing the person you're speaking with to hear you more clearly.
The ‌AirPods Pro‌ will use machine learning to detect and isolate ambient noise such as wind, cars nearby, people speaking, and more, blocking out the sound and prioritizing your voice. Voice Isolation is a feature coming to both the original ‌AirPods Pro‌ and the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2.
Better Adaptive Audio Controls
Adaptive Noise Control is designed to adjust Active Noise Cancellation and the sound you hear in response to the ambient noise in your environment. Adaptive Audio has been an all or nothing setting, but with ‌iOS 18‌, there are more granular controls for tweaking the feature to allow for more or less noise to come through.
Personalized Spatial Audio for Gaming
Personalized Spatial Audio is a feature that already exists for movies, TV shows, and music. It uses the TrueDepth camera on your ‌iPhone‌ to scan your face and ears, developing a personal profile that customizes Spatial Audio just for you.
With ‌iOS 18‌, Apple is expanding Personalized Spatial Audio to gaming, with the aim of delivering more immersive sound for gameplay. Game developers can incorporate spatial audio in their games as part of this change. Personalized Spatial Audio for Gaming is actually coming to the ‌AirPods Pro‌, AirPods Max, and the third-generation AirPods.
Voice Quality in Games
The ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 feature voice quality improvements for in-game chat and streaming, along with dynamic head tracking and support for 16-bit 48kHz audio in games.
Lower Latency
According to Apple, the ‌AirPods Pro‌ provide the best wireless audio latency ever for mobile gaming, thanks to improvements coming in ‌iOS 18‌. Improved latency means that you'll see little to no delay when taking an action in the game and hearing the resulting sound, making for a more responsive experience.
Other AirPods Models
Many of these features are limited to the latest ‌AirPods Pro‌ models. Head gestures and Voice Isolation won't be available on devices other than the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2, but Personalized Spatial Audio for gaming will be more widely accessible.
Read More
Much more on all of the new features that Apple added in ‌iOS 18‌ can be found in our iOS 18 roundup.
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2024-07-26 23:45:12

T-Mobile Sued for Breaking Lifetime Price Guarantees
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T-Mobile customers have filed a lawsuit [PDF] against the carrier, alleging that it failed to honor a guarantee not to raise the prices of select cellular plans.
The lawsuit, first spotted by Wired, claims that back in 2017, T-Mobile advertised several of its plans with a price lock, but then went on to increase prices starting in May 2024.
said in a press release in January 2017. T-Mobile ONE was priced at $40 per line for a family of four with AutoPay enabled, and T-Mobile made similar pricing promises for other plans, including the Simple Choice Plan, Magenta, Magenta Max, Magenta 55+, and Magenta Amplified options.
T-Mobile raised prices by $2 to $5 per line for the legacy plans, and while there was a price promise, fine print did give the company an out. T-Mobile released an FAQ that said if prices did increase, T-Mobile customers could cancel and get their final bill paid, a policy applicable for accounts activated between January 2017 and April 28, 2022.
The lawsuit claims that T-Mobile's FAQ wording is "contrary to the language" provided at the time that T-Mobile customers signed up for their legacy plans, and as such, T-Mobile has "breached its agreement" with customers and caused them monetary injury.
Tag: T-Mobile
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2024-07-26 22:15:12

Apple Seeds Updated Fourth Betas of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 to Developers
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Apple today seeded new fourth betas of upcoming iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a few days after Apple initially released the betas. It is not clear what is different with the original beta 4 software (build (22A5316j) and the new beta 4 software (build (22A5316k), but the update is available to all developers.
Registered developers are able to opt into the betas by opening up the Settings app, going to the Software Update section, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option, and toggling on the ‌‌iOS 18‌/‌iPadOS 18‌‌ Developer Beta setting. Note that an Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.
Siri and search. ‌Siri‌ is gaining a better understanding of natural language, improved contextual awareness, and the personal assistant will integrate with ChatGPT to answer more complex queries.
iPhone 15 Pro models and iPads with an M-series chip, but there are a number of other features that are coming. Apple is allowing users to rearrange Home screen apps to have open spaces, plus there's a dark mode for app icons and tinting options.
The Control Center is customizable and third-party developers can add controls for their apps, with the Lock Screen Flashlight and Camera icons able to be replaced or removed. Messages is gaining Rich Communication Services support to improve conversations with Android users, the option to schedule texts to be sent later, new text effects, messages over satellite when there's no cellular, and the option to use any emoji for Tapback responses.
Face ID or Touch ID authentication even when your phone is unlocked.
Photos app interface has been overhauled, and there's a new Tap to Cash feature for privately and securely transferring money using Apple Cash. Other features include equation solving and voice memo transcription in Notes, a game mode for improving game performance, and an option to respond to ‌Siri‌ on AirPods with head gestures.
This article, "Apple Seeds Updated Fourth Betas of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 to Developers" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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https://www.macrumors.com/2024/07/26/apple-seeds-updated-ios-18-beta-4/

2024-07-25 13:00:17

Threads App Gets TweetDeck-Like Ability to Create Dedicated Feeds
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Threads is currently rolling out a new way for users of its iOS app to create dedicated feeds based on search results, similar to how it works for Threads on the web.
When a search is performed, the new option in the app lets users bookmark the search, after which it lives on in the Home tab, alongside the For You and Following feeds.
The feature has been available for a while on the Threads web view for desktop, where users could pin multiple customized columns, similar to the TweetDeck feature that used to be available on Twitter. The new addition for the iOS app is rolling out now, so you will probably want the latest app update installed so that you don't miss out when it arrives in your region.
Threads has been around for over a year now. When it launched back in July 2023, the experience was very barebones, but Meta has worked to add new functionality on a regular basis to put the social network on a more level pegging with X (Twitter).
Post by @mahmoudzitani
View on Threads
It has since gained a web app, the ability to search for posts chronologically, a post editing feature, built-in translation, fediverse integration, fast account switching, and more.
175 million active monthly users, according to Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg.
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2024-07-25 12:00:18

Auto-Populate iPhone Home Screen With Your Most Used Apps
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Do you find yourself frequently scrolling through multiple Home Screen pages on your iPhone to get to the apps you access most often? If so, chances are you've already filled up the first page with some of your favorite apps. But what if you could automatically make all of your most-used apps appear on page one? With the Siri Suggestions widget, you can.
The Siri Suggestions widget intelligently recommends apps based on your usage patterns. By populating your Home Screen with multiple instances of this widget, you can ensure that the apps you need most are always just a tap away. Read on to learn how it's done.
With your iPhone unlocked, swipe to a Home Screen page with at least two free rows available.
Press and hold the empty space on the Home Screen until the apps start to jiggle.
Tap the "+" button in the top-left corner of the screen to access the widget gallery.
Search for "Siri Suggestions" in the widget gallery or scroll through the list to find it.
Tap the Siri Suggestions widget option, then choose the first option showing two rows of apps by tapping Add Widget.
Drag the widget to a fresh new page containing no other apps.
Add another instance of the Siri Suggestions widget by tapping the "+" button in the top-left corner of the screen again, then selecting it in the widget gallery, just like you did for the first one.
Add a third Siri Suggestions widget in the same way.
Next, tap the row of dots representing your ‌Home Screen‌ pages.
In the ‌Home Screen‌ grid that appears, touch and drag the page of widgets you just made and move it so that it's the first Home Screen page (the one you see when you unlock your iPhone). The others will move to make way in response to your drag action.
Tap Done in the top-right corner of the screen when you're happy with the new arrangement, then tap Done again to exit jiggle mode.
Don't worry if the widgets first show the same suggested apps as each other – this will correct itself when you swipe away from the page and return to it. That's all there is to it. By following the above steps, you will have quick access to your most-used apps, even if your habits change, ensuring your Home Screen is both dynamic and tailored to your needs.
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2024-07-24 21:15:13

Apple Maps Now Available on the Web
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Apple today announced that it has launched an Apple Maps on the web feature, which is available in a public beta capacity. Apple Maps for the web works in Safari and other web browsers, allowing users to get directions without having to open up the Maps app.
‌Apple Maps‌ on the web works like the ‌Apple Maps‌ app, so users can get driving and walking directions, find places to visit, view ratings and hours, and browse curated Guides. There are also features for ordering food directly from the Maps place card and discovering places to eat, shop, and explore in cities around the world. Apple says that additional options like Look Around will be introduced in the coming months.
on Apple's Maps.Apple.com website. Developers are able to link out to Maps on the web in their apps, so users can get driving directions and see location information.
it works with Safari and Chrome on Mac and iPad, and Chrome and Edge on Windows PCs. Apple plans to add support for additional languages, browsers, and platforms over time.
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2024-07-24 00:15:12

Internal Change to iPhone 16 Models Expected to Reduce Overheating
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Shortly after the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max were released last September, some customers began to experience an issue with the devices overheating. Apple eventually mitigated the problem with an iOS 17 update, but it might go a step further with the iPhone 16 models that are set to be released later this year.
The Information today cited a source who said that iPhone 16 models will be equipped with a "larger graphite sheet" inside the chassis of the devices, to address potential overheating. This corroborates a rumor from last November that claimed iPhone 16 models would feature an improved thermal management system.
Related Roundups: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro
Tag: The Information
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2024-07-23 00:00:16

Google No Longer Plans to Eliminate Third-Party Cookies in Chrome
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Google no longer plans to deprecate third-party cookies in the Chrome browser, marking a notable change to a prior decision to phase out third-party cookies by 2025. Google announced its cookie updates in a blog post shared today, where the company said that it instead plans to focus on user choice.
Rather than eliminating third-party cookies entirely, Google will introduce "a new experience in Chrome" that is designed to allow people to "make an informed choice" applicable across their web browsing.
Back in 2020, Google claimed that it would phase out support for third-party cookies in Chrome by 2022, a timeline that was pushed back multiple times due to complaints from advertisers and regulatory issues. Google has been working on a Privacy Sandbox to find ways to improve privacy while still delivering info to advertisers, but third-party cookies will now be sticking around so as not to impact publishers and advertisers.
reviewing Google's new plan for a user-choice prompt.
Google does not plan to stop working on its Privacy Sandbox APIs, and the company says they will improve over time so that developers will have a privacy preserving alternative to cookies. Additional privacy controls, such as IP Protection, will be added to Chrome's Incognito mode.
Tag: Chrome
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2024-07-20 18:15:09

Get OWC's 14-Port Mac Thunderbolt Dock for Best-Ever $99.99 Price ($180 Off)
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OWC this week knocked the price of the popular 14-Port Thunderbolt 3 Dock down to $99.99, from its original price of $279.99, and this deal is still around this weekend. This is a match of the all-time low price on the accessory, which we last tracked way back in April.
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large collection of accessories on sale at this time on OWC, including USB-C hubs, external drives and enclosures, and internal memory upgrade kits for Mac.
$180 OFF
OWC 14-Port Thunderbolt 3 Dock for $99.99
In regards to the 14-Port Thunderbolt 3 Dock, this accessory features two Thunderbolt 3 ports, five USB Type-A ports, one USB Type-C port, one Mini DisplayPort port, one gigabit Ethernet port, one S/PDIF digital audio output port, and one 3.5mm stereo audio input/output port. There are also two memory card slots for microSD and SD cards.
OWC's sale landing page to browse the full sale, which also features deals on cables, Mac accessories, keyboards, and headphones.
Docks and Hubs
Atlas Dual SD Card Reader - $79.99, down from $89.99
Thunderbolt Mini Dock - $109.99, down from $129.99
Thunderbolt Hub - $139.99, down from $149.99
14-Port Thunderbolt Dock - $99.99, down from $279.99
Thunderbolt Go Dock - $299.99, down from $349.99
External Drives and Enclosures
4TB Mercury Elite Pro External Storage - $124.99, down from $199.99
8TB Mercury Elite Pro RAID External Storage - $217.76, down from $394.99
Memory
32GB Memory Upgrade Kit - $74.74, down from $89.98
64GB Memory Upgrade Kit - $147.74, down from $179.96
Miscellaneous
2M USB-C to USB-C Charging Cable - $2.99, down from $14.99
Matias Wireless Multi-Pairing Keyboard - $49.99, down from $69.00
Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.
Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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2024-07-20 15:15:09

Top Stories: iOS 18 Public Beta, HomePod Mini in New Midnight Color, and More
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The public betas of iOS 18 and other upcoming major operating system updates are finally here! Apple has spent the past month refining the betas through developer testing, and it's now time to open them up for broader access ahead of a full public launch several months from now.
We also got a surprise hardware update this week, but it was one of the most minor updates imaginable – swapping out the Space Gray color of the HomePod mini for a new version in an extremely similar Midnight color. This week also saw us taking a look ahead at the upcoming iPhone 16 and Apple Watch lineups that should now be less than two months way, while we went hands-on with Samsung's new earbuds that have some striking similarities to Apple's AirPods Pro, so read on below for all the details!
Apple Releases First iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 Public Betas
The first public beta of iOS 18 is now available for the iPhone, allowing anyone to test the update for free. We recommend installing the beta on a secondary iPhone, rather than the one that you use daily, as there are often bugs and other issues with pre-release software.
How to Install the iOS 18 Public Beta
iOS 18 features more Home Screen and Control Center customization options, a completely redesigned Photos app, the ability to use any emoji as a Tapback in the Messages app, an option to lock apps behind Face ID or Touch ID, and much more. The tentpole feature of iOS 18 is Apple Intelligence, which is Apple's new suite of generative AI features coming to iPhone 15 Pro models and newer later this year.
Apple Releases HomePod Mini in New Midnight Color
Apple this week announced that the HomePod mini is now available in a new Midnight color, which replaces the Space Gray color previously offered.
There does not appear to be any other changes to the HomePod mini, which continues to start at $99 in the United States. In fact, Midnight looks nearly identical to Space Gray, so there is little reason for any existing HomePod mini owners to purchase the new color option.
iPhone 16 Series Is Just Two Months Away: Everything We Know
Apple's next-generation iPhone 16 series is just two months away from being unveiled, and there are already many rumors for the devices.
Earlier this week, we listed everything that we know about the iPhone 16 series based on leaked information, with one key change expected to be larger displays on the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Plenty of other new features are expected, so check out the full list.
2024 Apple Watch Lineup: Key Changes We're Expecting
Alongside the iPhone 16 series later this year, we can expect the next-generation Apple Watch lineup, including so-called Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3 models.
Earlier this week, we rounded up key changes to expect from the next Apple Watch lineup, including larger display sizes for some models. As is often the case, new health features like sleep apnea detection have also been rumored.
iOS 18 Passwords App: All the Features
iOS 18 features a standalone Passwords app from Apple that surfaces some of the iCloud Keychain functionality built into the Settings app on previous versions of iOS for more convenient access.
We recently shared a guide that highlights all of the features built into the Passwords app, which features a simpler layout compared to the previous iCloud Keychain section of the Settings app.
Apple's AirPods Pro 2 vs. Samsung's Galaxy Buds3 Pro
Samsung last week introduced its latest earbuds, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro, which look quite a bit like Apple's AirPods Pro 2. Given the similarities, we thought we'd compare Samsung's new earbuds to the ‌AirPods Pro‌.
Check out our hands-on video that goes through the design similarities and differences, performance comparisons, and other features to get an idea of how they match head-to-head. Apple users will almost certainly want to stick with AirPods Pro while Android users would want to opt for the Galaxy Buds, but it's always good to see what the competition is up to.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!
Tag: Top Stories
This article, "Top Stories: iOS 18 Public Beta, HomePod Mini in New Midnight Color, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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2024-07-19 20:30:13

iPhone Mirroring in macOS Sequoia and iOS 18: Everything You Need to Know
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Apple is expanding how its cross-platform Continuity features work in 2024, introducing an iPhone Mirroring option in macOS Sequoia and iOS 18. As the name suggests, ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring lets you control your ‌iPhone‌ with your Mac.
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This guide walks through all of the ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring features and explains how it works.
iPhone Mirroring Basics
After upgrading to ‌iOS 18‌ and ‌macOS Sequoia‌, there's a new ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring app in the Dock, and that's how you start an ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring session.
From your Mac's Dock, click on the ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring app.
Click on Continue at the pop-up informational screen.
Select the ‌iPhone‌ that you want to use if you have more than one ‌iPhone‌.
Unlock your ‌iPhone‌ with a passcode to allow the connection.
Click on Get Started.
Use Touch ID on the Mac to authenticate (alternatively, enter your password).
When you start up ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring for the first time, you can opt to have it require authentication with every connection or to allow a connection automatically. If you choose automatic authentication, you will not need to authenticate with ‌Touch ID‌ or a password to use ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring when your Mac is unlocked.
Otherwise, you will need to authenticate on your Mac each time you want to use ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring. Note that an ‌iPhone‌ needs to be locked while an ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring session is in progress, so you can't use your ‌iPhone‌ while it's being mirrored to your Mac.
If your ‌iPhone‌ is not locked and you attempt to initiate ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring from your Mac, you will get a warning that the ‌iPhone‌ is in use.
There is no option for launching an ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring session from an ‌iPhone‌ -- it needs to be done from a Mac. While the ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring app icon should be in the Dock, if it's not there, you can get to it from the Launchpad or the Applications folder, because it is treated as a standard app.
iPhone Mirroring Interface
Your full ‌iPhone‌ interface is shown as a dedicated app on the Mac, with your wallpaper and app icons all visible and accessible. You can click in to any of your apps and use it on the Mac just like you would on the ‌iPhone‌.
You can get to your Home Screen by clicking on the bottom bar, and swap between pages with the trackpad or with a click and drag gesture using a mouse. There are menu options for getting to the ‌Home Screen‌ and for bringing up the app switching interface, but most control is done within the ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring window.
iPhone Mirroring Requirements
To use ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring, you need a Mac that runs ‌macOS Sequoia‌ and that has an Apple silicon chip (M1 or later) or a T2 security chip. Macs with T2 security chips are Intel-based and include the following machines:
2018 and later MacBook Pro (13 and 15 inch)
2018 and later MacBook Air
2020 iMac
‌iMac‌ Pro
2018 Mac mini
2019 Mac Pro
These Macs have Apple silicon chips:
2020 and later ‌Mac mini‌
2020 and later ‌MacBook Air‌
2021 and later ‌iMac‌
2021 and later MacBook Pro (14 and 16 inch)
2020 13-inch MacBook Pro
2022 and later Mac Studio
2023 ‌Mac Pro‌
Any ‌iPhone‌ that runs ‌iOS 18‌ works with ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring.
All iPhone 15 models
All iPhone 14 models
All iPhone 13 models
All ‌iPhone‌ 12 models
All ‌iPhone‌ 11 models
‌iPhone‌ XS and XS Max
‌iPhone‌ XR
iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd gen)
Apple ID, and two-factor authentication must be enabled for the ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring feature to work. You will also need to turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and the two devices will need to be near each other.
During an ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring session, your Mac and your ‌iPhone‌ need to be close to one another, essentially in the same room.
Privacy and Security
You need to be signed into the same ‌Apple ID‌ on your ‌iPhone‌ and your Mac for ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring to work. While ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring is active, you do not need to have your ‌iPhone‌ with you, and it does not need to be unlocked.
Your ‌iPhone‌ can remain tucked away in a pocket or a bag while you control it from your Mac, so no one can access it or see what you're doing with it.
Using a Mouse and Keyboard with iPhone
Your Mac's keyboard, trackpad, and mouse can be used with your ‌iPhone‌, which is useful if you need to type something lengthy in an ‌iPhone‌ app.
Audio, Camera, and Microphone
If you play a video on your ‌iPhone‌ while ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring is enabled, the audio comes through your Mac. You can't turn on the Camera app or use the microphone, though.
iPhone Notifications on Mac
With ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring turned on, incoming ‌iPhone‌ notifications show up right alongside your Mac notifications in the Notification Center at the upper right hand corner of the Mac's display.
‌iPhone‌ notifications are denoted with a small ‌iPhone‌ icon, but they otherwise look like native Mac notifications.
You can click on a notification and open up the app on your ‌iPhone‌, interacting with it directly from the Mac.
StandBy
While your ‌iPhone‌ is being mirrored to your Mac, it can be on a charger and in StandBy mode, displaying the time and other information.
Drag and Drop
Later this year, Apple plans to add ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring's best feature, file transfers. You will be able to transfer files, photos, and videos from your Mac to your ‌iPhone‌ and vice versa using drag and drop gestures.
Apple says that it will work just like dragging files from one Mac app to another.
While drag and drop has yet to be implemented, you can sort of work around this by using AirDrop to move photos and files from your ‌iPhone‌ to your Mac, initiating AirDrop from the ‌iPhone‌ without having to unlock it.
iPhone Mirroring Limitations
‌iPhone‌ Mirroring will not work if the Mac is using AirPlay to stream music or video content to another device, or if Sidecar is enabled with an iPad. Continuity Camera cannot be enabled either, so if you're using your ‌iPhone‌ as a webcam for your Mac, you can't use ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring at the same time.
Attempting to watch movies and TV shows from some apps like Hulu and Netflix does not work, with the ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring app showing just a blank black screen, likely due to DRM restrictions.
There is no option to resize the ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring window, and you can't manually move it into landscape orientation. If an app or a game is displayed in landscape orientation, the window will shift into landscape.
You can delete apps when using ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring by going to the Settings app, but apps cannot be deleted from the ‌Home Screen‌. You also can't rearrange apps because there's no option to get into the ‌Home Screen‌ (or Lock Screen) editing interface.
Control Center and Notification Center are also inaccessible.
Read More
For more on the new features that Apple is adding in ‌iOS 18‌, we have a dedicated iOS 18 roundup.
Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia
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2024-07-19 18:45:09

Best Apple Deals of the Week: AirPods Pro and Max Get New Low Prices, Plus Big Discounts on iPads and MacBooks
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Amazon Prime Day took place earlier this week, and it introduced huge discounts on a wide variety of Apple products, including AirPods Max, MacBook Pro, and iPad Pro. Even though Prime Day has ended, we're still tracking quite a few of these record low prices as we head into the weekend, so if you missed out be sure to check out the deals below before they're gone for good.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
AirPods
What's the deal? Take up to $154 off AirPods
Where can I get it? Amazon
Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$49 OFF
AirPods 3 for $119.99
$80 OFF
AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) for $168.99
$154 OFF
AirPods Max for $394.99
As is usual during big discount events, some of the best deals this week could be found on Apple's AirPods, and most of them are still available right now on Amazon. You'll find the AirPods 3, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max all at all-time low prices today on Amazon, and the AirPods 2 at a solid second-best price.
Apple Pencil Pro
What's the deal? Take $19 off Apple Pencil Pro
Where can I get it? Amazon
Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$19 OFF
Apple Pencil Pro for $109.99
$79.00 right now on Amazon.
M3 MacBook Pro
What's the deal? Take up to $700 off MacBook Pro
Where can I get it? Amazon and Best Buy
Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$300 OFF
14-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro (512GB) for $1,699.00
$700 OFF
16-inch M3 Max MacBook Pro (1TB) for $2,799.00
Best Buy's and Amazon's deals include all-time low prices on the 14-inch and 16-inch M3 MacBook Pro, and the best discounts will be found on the larger screen computers. The 16-inch M3 MacBook Pro is currently discounted by $500 for all customers on Best Buy, but if you have a My Best Buy Plus/Total membership, you can add up to an extra $200 off select models.
14-inch MacBook Pro
M3 512GB - $1,399.00 ($200 off)
M3 Pro 512GB - $1,699.00 ($300 off) [matched at Best Buy]
M3 Pro 1TB - $2,099.00 ($300 off) [only at Best Buy]
M3 Max 1TB - $2,899.00 ($300 off) [matched at Best Buy]
16-inch MacBook Pro
M3 Pro, 18GB RAM, 512GB - $1,899.00 ($600 off) [only at Best Buy for members]
M3 Pro, 36GB RAM, 512GB - $2,299.00 ($600 off) [only at Best Buy for members]
M3 Max, 36GB RAM, 1TB - $2,799.00 ($700 off) [only at Best Buy for members]
M3 Max, 48GB RAM, 1TB - $3,299.00 ($700 off) [only at Best Buy for members]
M2 MacBook Air
What's the deal? Take $200 off MacBook Air
Where can I get it? Amazon and Best Buy
Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$200 OFF
13-inch M2 MacBook Air (256GB) for $799.00
$200 OFF
13-inch M2 MacBook Air (512GB) for $999.00
Amazon and Best Buy are taking $200 off the previous generation M2 MacBook Air this week, starting at $799.00 for 256GB and rising to $999.00 for 512GB. Both of these are all-time low prices for the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air.
M4 iPad Pro
What's the deal? Take up to $385 off the new M4 iPad Pro
Where can I get it? Amazon
Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$80 OFF
11-inch iPad Pro (256GB Wi-Fi) for $919.00
$100 OFF
13-inch iPad Pro (256GB Wi-Fi) for $1,199.00
full list of tablets on sale.
10th Gen iPad
What's the deal? Take $50 off iPad
Where can I get it? Amazon
Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$50 OFF
iPad (64GB Wi-Fi) for $299.00
$50 OFF
iPad (256GB Wi-Fi) for $449.00
Amazon is taking $50 off the Wi-Fi models of the 2022 iPad, starting at $299.00 for 64GB Wi-Fi. You'll also find both cellular devices on sale this weekend.
Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
Related Roundup: Apple Deals
This article, "Best Apple Deals of the Week: AirPods Pro and Max Get New Low Prices, Plus Big Discounts on iPads and MacBooks" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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2024-07-19 16:30:12

iPhone SE 4 Rumored to Use Same Rear Chassis as iPhone 16
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Apple will adopt the same rear chassis manufacturing process for the iPhone SE 4 that it is using for the upcoming standard iPhone 16, claims a new rumor coming out of China.
According to the Weibo-based leaker "Fixed Focus Digital," the backplate manufacturing process for the iPhone SE 4 is "exactly the same" as the standard model in Apple's upcoming iPhone 16 lineup, which is expected to be released in September. The iPhone SE 4, meanwhile, is expected to arrive in the spring.
November 2023, MacRumors learned from a source close to Apple's manufacturing process that the dimensions of the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 "perfectly matched" those of the base model ‌iPhone 14 in its current stage‌.
While it's still unclear what may have led to the change, it's possible that Apple chose to adopt its newer rear chassis process for the more affordable SE model to achieve economy of scale at the point of production as the manufacture of iPhone 14 models winds down towards retirement.
However, it could also indicate a change to the camera system on the fourth-generation iPhone SE. Unlike the ‌iPhone 14‌, the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 was previously rumored to include a single 48-megapixel rear camera with a custom backplate for the device to account for the design change.
In contrast, for the iPhone 16 models, Apple is planning a new vertical camera lens arrangement that is a departure from the diagonal lens setup found on iPhone 15 models. The new orientation will presumably allow the standard iPhone 16 models to capture Spatial Video for the Vision Pro headset. Adopting the same backplate for the iPhone SE 4 would seem to suggest it will feature the same dual camera setup, although we haven't heard any rumors specifically claiming that this is in Apple's plans.
sub-$500 starting price for its fourth-generation iPhone SE model, despite a raft of rumored upgrades coming to the more affordable device. Touch ID and the Home button will be replaced by Face ID and a display notch, while the display size will increase from 4.7 inches to 6.1 inches. Other features expected for the next iPhone SE include a USB-C port and an Action button.
dedicated roundup.
Related Roundup: iPhone SE
Buyer's Guide: iPhone SE (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPhone
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2024-07-19 12:15:10

Crowdstrike Says Global IT Outage Limited to Windows PCs, Mac and Linux Hosts Not Affected
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A widespread system failure is currently affecting numerous Windows devices globally, causing critical boot failures across various industries, including banks, rail networks, airlines, retail, broadcasters, and many more businesses. The issue, manifesting as a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), is preventing computers from starting up properly and forcing them into continuous recovery cycles.
The cause of the failure has been identified as an update to Crowdstrike antivirus software installed on Windows 10 PCs. Crowdstrike, a cybersecurity company that specializes in endpoint security protection for corporate networks, has just released the following statement:
"Crowdstrike is actively working with customers impacted by a defect found in a single content update for Windows hosts.
"Mac and Linux hosts are not impacted. This is not a security incident or cyberattack.
"The issue has been identified, isolated and a fix has been deployed.
"We refer customers to the support portal for the latest updates and will continue to provide complete and continuous updates on our website.
"We further recommend organisations ensure they're communicating with Crowdstrike representatives through official channels.
Unfortunately, the nature of the problem means that fixing it isn't as simple as installing a patch. The workaround to break the infinite boot cycle on affected Windows machines involves manually booting into safe mode, navigating to the CrowdStrike directory, and deleting the system file that caused the problem. As such, it could be a while before all services impacted by the content update are back up and running.
Tag: Windows
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2024-07-18 16:45:09

Apple Looking to License More Movies to Expand Apple TV+ Library
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Apple is in active talks to license more films from major Hollywood studios as it seeks to bolster Apple TV+, according to Bloomberg.
Apple has traditionally focused on original productions for its streaming platform, but it is increasingly looking to expand its offerings by acquiring programming from the extensive libraries of established studios, sources familiar with the matter claim. While ‌Apple TV+‌ has seen some success with original series such as "Ted Lasso" and "The Morning Show," these hits have been relatively few and far between, and the service has struggled to match the extensive catalogs of competitors like Netflix and Disney+.
72 Emmy nominations this year, ‌Apple TV+‌ has not garnered the same subscriber base as its competitors. According to the research firm MoffettNathanson, only 11% of U.S. households use ‌Apple TV+‌, compared to 55% for Netflix. The limited scope of content available on ‌Apple TV+‌ is apparently seen as a significant factor contributing to its slower growth. Data from Antenna indicates that streaming services with larger content libraries, like Netflix, experience lower cancellation rates.
licensed approximately 50 movies from Hollywood studios for its service in the United States, adding popular titles such as "Mean Girls" and "Titanic" to its catalog. The positive reception to this initial batch of licensed films is said to have encouraged Apple to pursue additional deals. These discussions aim to license even more titles, potentially expanding the service's offerings internationally as well as domestically. Simultaneously, major studios such as Warner Bros., Discovery, and Disney are increasingly open to selling their content to rivals to boost revenue.
Tags: Bloomberg, Apple TV Plus
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2024-07-18 15:45:09

Dyson's New OnTrac Headphones Rival AirPods Max With 55-Hour Battery Life and Customization Options
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Dyson today introduced its second pair of headphones, the OnTrac, focusing on customization and premium features to directly compete with the likes of Apple and Bose.
The new headphones represent a significant shift from Dyson's previous attempt, the Dyson Zone, which combined noise-canceling headphones with an air purifying mask. Priced at $499.99, the OnTrac headphones are designed with a modular approach that allows users to replace the ear cushions and outer caps, enabling over 2,000 potential color combinations.
AirPods Max, which also uses multiple microphones for ANC, although the exact sampling rate of the ‌AirPods Max‌ is not known. The OnTrac's ANC is designed to block up to 40 decibels of noise, enhancing the listening experience in noisy environments.
In terms of battery life, the OnTrac headphones offer 55 hours of continuous listening on a single charge with ANC enabled. This surpasses the ‌AirPods Max‌, which provides up to 20 hours of battery life with ANC and spatial audio enabled. Dyson achieves this extended battery life by housing two high-capacity lithium-ion cells in the headband, which also helps distribute weight evenly for comfort. Charging is facilitated via a USB-C port, and a 10-minute quick charge can provide up to 2.5 hours of playback.
The OnTrac headphones are equipped with 40mm drivers that reproduce frequencies from as low as 6Hz to as high as 21kHz. This wide frequency range aims to deliver deep bass and clear highs, with the drivers angled towards the ears for more direct audio delivery. In comparison, the ‌AirPods Max‌ feature custom-built 40mm dynamic drivers and support a frequency range from 20Hz to 20kHz. While both sets of headphones aim to provide high-fidelity sound, the OnTrac's extended frequency range may offer more detailed audio, particularly in the low-end frequencies.
The OnTrac headphones also feature a unique control system, including a joystick for playback control and touch-sensitive ear cups for toggling ANC. The MyDyson app allows users to monitor noise exposure levels and customize the EQ settings with presets like Bass Boost, Enhanced, and Natural.
The OnTrac includes replaceable ear cushions and outer caps, available in various colors and finishes, allowing users to deeply customize the look of their headphones. The headphones come in four main colorways at launch: CNC Aluminum with bright yellow ear cushions, CNC Copper with purple headband and copper ear cups, Ceramic Cinnabar with a light red headband and matte ear cups, and CNC Black Nickel with an all-black design.
Tag: Dyson
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2024-07-18 13:30:14

Cellebrite Unable to Unlock iPhones on iOS 17.4 or Later, Leak Reveals
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Israel-based mobile forensics company Cellebrite is unable to unlock iPhones running iOS 17.4 or later, according to leaked documents verified by 404 Media. The documents provide a rare glimpse into the capabilities of the company's mobile forensics tools and highlight the ongoing security improvements in Apple's latest devices.
The leaked "Cellebrite iOS Support Matrix" obtained by 404 Media reveals that for all locked iPhones capable of running iOS 17.4 or newer, Cellebrite's status is listed as "In Research," indicating they cannot reliably unlock these devices with their current tools. This limitation likely extends to a significant portion of modern iPhones, as Apple's own data from June shows that 77% of all iPhones and 87% of iPhones introduced in the last four years are running some version of iOS 17.
Interestingly, the documents indicate that Cellebrite recently added support for the iPhone XR and iPhone 11 series running iOS 17.1 to 17.3.1. However, for iPhone 12 and newer models running these same iOS versions, the status is listed as "Coming soon," suggesting Cellebrite's continuing attempts to keep pace with Apple's security advancements.
Another document shows that Cellebrite can break into most Android devices, but not all of them. Cellebrite cannot, for example, brute force a turned-off Google Pixel 6, 7, or 8 to get the users' data.
The revelation comes despite Cellebrite's marketing claims that their Premium service, which offers additional capabilities, can obtain passcodes for "nearly all of today's mobile devices, including the latest iOS and Android versions."
Universal Forensic Extraction Device (UFED) is widely used by law enforcement agencies worldwide for extracting data from mobile phones. Cellebrite first garnered significant attention in 2016, when it was believed the company was enlisted to help the FBI break into the ‌iPhone‌ 5c of San Bernardino shooter Syed Farook after Apple refused to provide the FBI with tools to unlock the device.
did not use Cellebrite's services for that particular case, but several US government agencies do regularly work with Cellebrite to unlock iOS devices.
Apple continually introduces improvements to the security of its operating systems in order to keep ahead of companies like Cellebrite that are always searching for flaws and vulnerabilities to exploit in order to access the data on locked iOS devices.
successfully thwarted the "GrayKey" ‌iPhone‌ passcode hack, sold by Atlanta-based company Grayshift, which had also been in use by U.S. law enforcement.
Tags: Security, Cellebrite
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2024-07-18 12:15:09

Apple Intelligence Not Trained on YouTube Content, Says Apple
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Apple on Thursday addressed concerns about its use of AI training data, following an investigation that revealed Apple, along with other major tech companies, had used YouTube subtitles to train their artificial intelligence models.
The investigation by Wired earlier this week reported that over 170,000 videos from popular content creators were part of a dataset used to train AI models. Apple specifically used this dataset in the development of its open-source OpenELM models, which were made public in April.
9to5Mac that OpenELM does not power any of its AI or machine learning features, including the company's Apple Intelligence system. Apple clarified that OpenELM was created solely for research purposes, with the aim of advancing open-source large language model development.
Hugging Face Hub, a community for sharing AI code, Apple researchers described it as a "state-of-the-art open language model" that had been designed to "empower and enrich the open research community." The model is also available through Apple's Machine Learning Research website. Apple has stated that it has no plans to develop new versions of the OpenELM model.
The company emphasized that since OpenELM is not integrated into Apple Intelligence, the "YouTube Subtitles" dataset is not being used to power any of its commercial AI features. Apple reiterated its previous statement that Apple Intelligence models are trained on "licensed data, including data selected to enhance specific features, as well as publicly available data collected by our web-crawler."
Wired report detailed how companies including Apple, Anthropic, and NVIDIA had used the "YouTube Subtitles" dataset for AI model training. This dataset is part of a larger collection known as "The Pile," which is compiled by the non-profit organization EleutherAI.
Tag: Apple Intelligence
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2024-07-17 22:30:12

Apple Product Managers Discuss Cool New iPadOS 18 Features
With iPadOS 18, Apple added some useful iPad-specific features in the Notes app, including Smart Script and Math Notes. Both of these additions are designed to work with the Apple Pencil, and they're some of the neater new features on Apple's tablets. Apple product manager Ty Jordan and engineering manager Jenny Chen recently did an interview with Chris Lawley to discuss the work that went into the ‌iPadOS 18‌ updates.
Smart Script is one of the ways that Apple is using machine learning in ‌iPadOS 18‌. It refines handwritten text, making your handwriting look neater without losing the personal flare that makes it your handwriting rather than generic writing. Smart Script learns your handwriting style, which Jordan said makes it as useful as typed text.
You'll notice that as soon as you start writing words, it refines your handwriting. You'll notice that it spell checks, so if you make a spelling mistake, it'll be underlined. It can also do some really cool things with reflowing your text, so if you tap and hold your Pencil, you can move words around, and you'll see that it reflows in your paragraph so you can get some more space.
Smart Script learns continually and while it is designed to work quickly, it will get better over time as you write more, especially for features such as paste as handwriting. Recognition does not persist from note to note, however. Apple wanted the feature to feel personal and not like a font, which is why it refines dynamically with each note.
It's very contextual. So, for example, if you were to go to a previous paragraph where you had some band handwriting, we're going to match the handwriting that was refined there and not sort of try to replicate what you've had in other notes.
As for Math Notes, Jordan said that Apple took the time to "really reimagine" the calculator feature could be designed for the iPad's interface. If you're unfamiliar with the feature, Math Notes on ‌iPad‌ lets you write out equations with the ‌Apple Pencil‌, with the Notes app solving the equation automatically when an equals sign is added.
It sort of works like magic. It combines the natural input of a pencil with the amazing on-device machine learning models that Jenny and her teams work on. You just write math like on a piece of paper and like magic, it just gives you the answer. It's so simple and intuitive.
Math Notes is able to recognize variables and the numbers associated with them. So if you define variables like price and area in one part of the note, and then write "price x area," Math Notes is able to provide an answer using the numbers specified earlier. Jordan explains:
I'll do my best shot and go back to high school. So a variable is just a named value, right? So you probably know a lot of them from school, like X and Y, and you could declare a variable with that [...] but you can do this with any word that you want.
Math Notes is intelligent enough to understand the difference between separate variables in a note, so if you have multiple math problems with the same variable like X, it won't get confused. You can have graphs added automatically in Math Notes if an equation can be grafted, which Chen says uses the work that Apple has previously done for the Swift Charts API.
Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
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2024-07-17 20:30:12

Here Are the Best Apple Deals You Can Still Get Before Amazon Prime Day Ends
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Amazon Prime Day is coming to a close later today, so we're quickly recapping all of the best Apple deals that are still live on Amazon right now. Since many of these products have been on sale for a few days, shipping may be delayed, but they're all at some of the lowest prices we've ever seen.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Amazon Prime subscription to see these deals. You can get one month of Amazon Prime for free when signing up this week, and afterwards the service will renew at $14.99 per month or $139 per year.
AirPods
Amazon had huge discounts on AirPods this Prime Day, with all-time low prices hitting every current model at some point during the event. As of today, we're still tracking great low prices on AirPods 3, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max.
$50 OFF
AirPods 3 for $119.00
$80 OFF
AirPods Pro 2 for $168.99
$155 OFF
AirPods Max for $394.99
Apple Watch
Prime Day this year included new best-ever prices on both the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch SE, and both are still available to purchase today. This includes $120 off Series 9 models and $80 off SE models, plus $99 off Ultra 2 for anyone looking for a high-end wearable.
$120 OFF
Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm GPS) for $279.00
$80 OFF
Apple Watch SE (40mm GPS) for $169.99
$99 OFF
Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $699.99
M3 MacBook Air
Amazon this week introduced $250 discounts across the board on the new M3 MacBook Air, with the cheapest model now priced at just $849.00, down from $1,099.00. You'll find these $250 discounts on both 13-inch and 15-inch still available today on Amazon.
$250 OFF
13-inch M3 MacBook Air (256GB) for $849.00
13-inch M3 MacBook Air
8GB RAM 256GB SSD - $849.00, down from $1,099.00
8GB RAM 512GB SSD - $1,049.00, down from $1,299.00 (matched at Best Buy)
16GB RAM 512GB SSD - $1,249.00, down from $1,499.00 (matched at Best Buy)
15-inch M3 MacBook Air
8GB RAM 256GB SSD - $1,049.00, down from $1,299.00 (matched at Best Buy)
8GB RAM 512GB SSD - $1,249.00, down from $1,499.00 (matched at Best Buy)
16GB RAM 512GB SSD - $1,449.00, down from $1,699.00 (matched at Best Buy)
M2 MacBook Air
Best Buy and Amazon this week have Apple's 256GB 13-inch M2 MacBook Air for the record low price of $799.00, down from $999.00. You'll find all four colors on sale at this price, including Midnight, Silver, Space Gray, and Starlight.
$200 OFF
13-inch M2 MacBook Air (256GB) for $799.00
10th Gen iPad
Amazon is taking $50 off the Wi-Fi models of the 2022 iPad, starting at $299.00 for 64GB Wi-Fi. This model was down to a lower price at the start of Prime Day, but that deal quickly expired and today's is still a solid second-best price.
$50 OFF
iPad (64GB Wi-Fi) for $299.00
$50 OFF
iPad (256GB Wi-Fi) for $449.00
iPad mini
All-time low prices have also hit Apple's iPad mini 6, starting at $379.99 for the 64GB Wi-Fi model and increasing to $529.99 for the 256GB Wi-Fi model.
$119 OFF
iPad mini (64GB Wi-Fi) for $379.99
$119 OFF
iPad mini (256GB Wi-Fi) for $529.99
big Prime Day post where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the event. Remember that you'll need an Amazon Prime membership to get Prime Day deals. You can sign up for Prime on Amazon if you don't have the service yet.
Related Roundup: Apple Deals
Tag: Prime Day
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2024-07-17 18:00:15

Review: Ugreen Nexode 100W 20000mAh Power Bank Offers Ample Juice to Go
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Popular accessory brand Ugreen has built up a veritable lineup of portable power banks and chargers in the last few years, with several options to serve the needs of gadget users on the road. It can be hard to work out what kind of unit will meet your particular requirements, but if you are looking for a compact USB-C/A bank that has enough juice to fully recharge your smartphone and laptop and then some, Ugreen's Nexode 100W power bank could be worth considering.
I've been testing out the Nexode for a few weeks now, and I've come away impressed enough that it's become an ever-present accessory in my laptop bag, and I don't leave the house without it when I'm working away from home.
iPhone 15 Pro, its dimensions are pretty similar, and it's around 1.5x as thick as Apple's smartphone, which makes it pocketable if you're wearing a coat.
The flame-retardant plastic case is black on the back and painted in metallic grey on one side and around the edges. It's soft to the touch, but its smoothness suggests it will scratch easily, which is why I keep it in the supplied draw-string velvety pouch when it's not in use. The included USB-C to USB-C cable is around 18 inches long, and also fits snugly inside.
On one side of the unit is a button that when pressed illuminates a simple LCD readout that tells you the percentage of charge left in its five 21700 battery cells, which together total 20,000mAh capacity. The power bank itself supports fast charging at a maximum 65W. With a charger that takes advantage of that, the unit reaches 50% capacity in about 50 minutes, and full capacity in about 110 minutes, so you can basically look at the LCD percentage readout to get a fairly good idea of how its progressing. The bank is also capable of charging your devices while being charged itself.
On one side of the bank are three ports: The IN1/OUT1 is a USB-C port that's used to charge the Nexode, but it's also the connector to use if you want to charge a device at the maximum 100W output. Then there's secondary USB-C and USB-A ports, allowing you to charge up to three devices simultaneously.
MacBook Air 13-inch using the maximum 100W fast charging speed, and from 10% battery it can bring my laptop up to a 50% charge in around 25 minutes, and fully charge it in about an hour, with around 10% of juice in the bank to spare. When I plug in my ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ when it's hovering around 10%, it hits 60% charge in half an hour, and fully charges in under an hour, with enough left in the power bank's tank to fully recharge the iPhone from almost dead more than twice over.
Those charge times, while swift, do depend on nothing else being connected to the power bank, because that's when the variable output changes. With more than one device plugged in, the 100W port is limited to 65W, which still isn't bad, but the wait time obviously goes up. On their own, the second USB-C port maxes out at 30W, while the USB-A port can handle 22.5W, both of which are good for AirPods or an Apple Watch (if both gadgets are connected, pressing the unit's button three times in succession activates a small-current mode).
That said, if all three ports are active, the two secondary ports share 20W, although that doesn't affect the 100W rate, which feels reasonable for a power bank on a single charge. Regardless, the overall capacity of the unit means that I've been able to work away from home all day without having to worry if I'll have access to a power outlet – even if my MacBook hasn't been charged to full overnight.
Similarly, heading out for a weekend away with a fully charged MacBook and ‌iPhone‌, it's easily met my needs, even when I've not had easy access to power. All in all, the Ugreen Nexode 100W hasn't let me down. There may be no bells and whistles to speak of, but that helps keep the price reasonable.
As an Amazon Prime Day deal, the Ugreen Nexode 100W 20000mAh Power Bank is available from Amazon and the Ugreen website, priced at $54.39 (down from the regular $79.99 list price).
Note: Ugreen provided MacRumors with the Nexode 100W 20000mAh Power Bank for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Tag: Ugreen
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2024-07-17 17:15:09

Kuo: Apple Delays Change Aimed at Saving Space Inside Future iPhones
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Apple no longer plans to use resin-coated copper for logic boards in iPhone 17 models next year, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today.
Kuo said resin-coated copper failed to meet Apple's "high-quality requirements," leading to the company scrapping its plans to adopt the material for iPhone 17 models. It is unclear if Apple will revisit resin-coated copper for iPhone 18 models or later, but it appears that the material is at least a few years away from being used in iPhones.
Resin-coated copper is a thin layer of copper foil coated with a resin, such as an epoxy. The material would allow for a thinner logic board, which in turn would provide more internal space for other components and sensors in future iPhones.
would use resin-coated copper this year, but it is unclear if that plan has been delayed too.
Related Roundup: iPhone 17
Tag: Ming-Chi Kuo
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2024-07-17 16:15:09

2024-07-16 23:00:13

Apple Store App Gets Overhaul With Revamped For You Section
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Apple today updated the Apple Store app to introduce a more personalized For You experience, which offers up more relevant product and service suggestions along with more information on what you can do with your existing devices.
The entire navigation bar has been refreshed, replacing Shop with Products and Sessions with Go Further. The For You tab provides relevant offers and suggestions such as free Apple Music and Apple TV+ trials, while the Products tab lets you see new products and also shop for accessories for your devices.
To create a personalised shopping experience, we'll collect and use data about your device, Apple account, Apple Store shopping activity and Apple subscriptions.
The updated version of the ‌Apple Store‌ app also includes a new Today at Apple video series with short videos that you can watch to get tips on device features.
Apple's full release notes for the refreshed ‌Apple Store‌ app are below.
A fresh, more curated experience that makes it easier to quickly find the most relevant content on the For You tab, shop the latest on the Products tab, and make the most of the devices you already own on the Go Further tab.
Check out the new video series from Today at Apple with featured guests that will inspire you to do more with your devices.
New options to customize your privacy settings and preferences give you enhanced control over how Apple will use the data you share with us.
The ‌Apple Store‌ app can be downloaded for free from the App Store. [Direct Link]
Tag: Apple Store
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2024-07-16 18:00:16

Apple Launches New Safari Ad Campaign: 'A Browser That's Actually Private'
Apple today shared a new privacy-focused Safari ad, which is designed to highlight the ways that Safari protects user privacy compared to other browsers.
In the spot, security cameras are positioned as pesky birds and bats, hovering around smartphone users as they browse the web. The cameras are everywhere, representing website trackers. Much of the ad is focused on non-iPhone users, but toward the end, iPhone users opens up Safari and all the creepy cameras explode in mid-air.
on its WebKit blog.
Safari has long protected advertisers from tracking users across the web with cross-site tracking, and it uses Intelligent Tracking Prevention to suss out and block domains collecting tracking data.
IP addresses are hidden from known trackers in Safari, as this can be used to identify users across websites, plus location information is not shared without express user permission and with optional time limitations. To cut down on fingerprinting, a tracking technique that uses system configuration info, Safari provides limited information to trackers to make devices look more identical.
The Safari Private Browsing mode offers an option to use a different search engine, it strips information added to URLs for tracking purposes, it has a content blocker to block network requests from known trackers, and it restricts web extensions that have access to webpage content and browsing history.
iCloud+ subscribers have additional protections with ‌iCloud‌ Private Relay and Safari Private Browsing, including separate sessions for every tab so sites can't tell if two tabs came from the same device and a non-specific IP location based on country and time zone.
Tracking preventions that Apple designed specifically for Private Browsing mode are enabled by default when in that mode, but they can also be enabled for regular browsing by going to Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced > Advanced Tracking and Fingerprinting Protection on an ‌iPhone‌ and toggling on the "All Browsing" feature. On a Mac, the setting can be found under Safari > Settings > Advanced.
According to Apple, a number of Safari's protections are not offered by other browsers such as Chrome, which makes Safari the ideal choice for privacy. Safari's unique features include using machine learning to combat cross-site tracking, removing unique trackers from URLs in Private Browsing, hiding IP address from known trackers, preventing web extensions from seeing browsing by default, not sharing location data with search engine, and blocking known trackers in Private Browsing.
Apple's privacy website, with specific technical information available on the WebKit blog.
Tags: Apple Ads, Apple Privacy
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2024-07-16 17:15:08

2024 Apple Watch Lineup: Key Changes We're Expecting
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Apple is seemingly planning a rework of the Apple Watch lineup for 2024, according to a range of reports from over the past year. Here's everything we know so far.
Apple is expected to continue to offer three different Apple Watch models in five casing sizes, but the various display sizes will allegedly grow by up to 12% and the casings will get taller. Based on all of the latest rumors, this is what we are expecting to change:
Apple Watch Lineup 2023–2024
Apple Watch Lineup 2024–2025
Price
Apple Watch SE (second generation)
40mm casing
Apple Watch SE (third generation)
41mm casing
Starts at $249
Apple Watch SE (second generation)
44mm casing
Apple Watch SE (third generation)
45mm casing
Starts at $279
Apple Watch Series 9
41mm casing
Apple Watch Series 10
45mm casing
Starts at $399
Apple Watch Series 9
45mm casing
Apple Watch Series 10
49mm casing
Starts at $449
Apple Watch Ultra 2
49mm casing
Apple Watch Ultra 3
~52mm casing?
Starts at $799
Apple Watch SE models use the design of the Apple Watch Series 4, which was introduced in 2018. With the third generation, Apple is expected to update the SE to the design introduced with the Apple Watch Series 7 in 2021 for a more modern appearance with a larger screen and slimmer bezels.
discontinued. The original Apple Watch and Series 1, 2, and 3 were available in a 38mm casing, and this grew to 40mm with the Series 4. With the Series 7, it grew further still to 41mm.
all-new 49mm casing size, matching the current Apple Watch Ultra, is expected to be introduced as the new larger option. The 49mm Apple Watch Ultra is compatible with bands designed for the 45mm Apple Watch Series models, so it is possible that Apple Watch bands could be compatible across both Series 10 models and the Apple Watch Ultra for the first time.
leaked CAD renders, meaning that the all-new 49mm model will be the most striking addition.
Ross Young, Haitong International Securities's Jeff Pu, and Omdia's David Hsieh have claimed that the next-generation Apple Watch Ultra will feature a larger 2.13-inch display, but it is worth noting that many of these reports related to the now-canceled introduction of a microLED display. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says that no design changes are expected for the Apple Watch Ultra 3, so the larger display size is far from certain and it could in reality have the same casing and display size as the current model.
S10 chip with AI enhancements, hypertension detection, and sleep apnea detection. The entire new Apple Watch lineup is expected to be announced in the fall as usual alongside the iPhone 16 models.
Related Roundups: Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Ultra 2
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution), Apple Watch SE (Don't Buy), Apple Watch Ultra (Caution)
Related Forum: Apple Watch
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2024-07-16 16:45:09

Lutron Debuts New Diva Smart Dimmer With ELV+, Additional Pico Paddle Remote Colors
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Smart home company Lutron today announced a few new additions to its Caséta line of products, expanding the range of lighting options available to consumers.
For professional installers, there is now a Diva smart dimmer with ELV+ technology, offering smart control for low-voltage applications like under-cabinet lighting, track lights, and accent lights. The dimmer works with ELV devices and with nearly all residential lighting types and loads, such as LED, MLV, incandescent, and halogen.
Like the Smart Dimmer Switch for ELV+ Lighting, the Diva version uses phase-selectable dimming to enable dimming across a range of load types. Installers can select between forward or reverse-phase dimming in the Lutron app or when installing the light.
The Diva smart dimmer with ELV+ is available in white, ivory, light almond, black, brown, and gray to match other switches and outlets in the home.
Lutron is also introducing new color options for the Pico Paddle Remote, which was previously only available in white. The Pico Paddle Remote now comes in white, ivory, light almond, black, brown, and gray, much like other Caséta accessories.
The Pico Paddle Remote can control Caséta smart switches and dimmers and Serena smart shades and fans, adding extra control options for lights and smart home products. The Pico Paddle Remotes have a 10-year battery life and do not require a hub, app, or Wi-Fi for operation.
are available through electrical distributors and online retailers that carry Caséta controls.
Tag: Lutron
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2024-07-16 16:00:15

Special-Edition Beats Solo 4 Headphones Celebrate 15th Anniversary of Minecraft
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Apple's Beats brand has done a number of collaborations over the years with fashion designers, artists, and even Disney, and the latest partnership is with Minecraft for special-edition Beats Solo 4 headphones in recognition of the game's 15th anniversary.
Functionally, these are the same Solo 4 on-ear headphones that debuted several months ago, but they come in a unique Minecraft-themed design with the Minecraft text logo on the top of the headband and neon green Minecraft pixelated patterns and accents across the remainder of the band and the outside of the ear cups. Even the iconic Beats "b" logo button for controlling media is in neon green, and there's a hidden neon green creeper on the inside of the headband.
Minecraft branding extends to the case for the Solo 4 headphones, with the Beats logo and raised Minecraft pixelated patterns in neon green on the front panel. As with the standard versions of the Solo 4 headphones, the nylon case zips open to allow the folded headphones to slide in, and there are small pockets inside for the included USB-C to USB-C and 3.5mm to 3.5mm cables.
With the purchase of the Beats x Minecraft Special Edition Solo 4 headphones, customers will also receive a unique code that can be redeemed for an in-game headphone character creator item in Minecraft.
As a refresher, the Beats Solo 4 on-ear headphones support Bluetooth, wired USB-C, and wired 3.5mm connections, as well as support for Personalized Spatial Audio. They offer up to 50 hours of battery life when connected via Bluetooth, and a Fast Fuel charge gives you up to five hours of playback with just ten minutes of charging. There's no active noise cancelation included, but the on-ear design does help to block out a decent amount of ambient sound.
iCloud or Google, and support for Apple's Find My and Android's ‌Find My‌ Device services. iOS users also get access to always-on "Hey Siri" functionality and support for Audio Sharing.
As part of the Beats x Minecraft collaboration, there's a new promotional animated short film featuring "Wake Up," the latest track from Imagine Dragons, and Minecraft content creator TinaKitten is curating a Spatial Audio playlist on Apple Music. Finally, Apple will be holding a special Today at Apple session at Apple Fifth Avenue in New York City on July 18 at 6:30 p.m. where TinaKitten and ‌Apple Music‌ Radio host Travis Mills will discuss the power of creativity, self-expression, and connection.
Apple Store locations in the US and EE stores in the UK will also carry them.
Tags: Beats, Minecraft
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2024-07-16 14:30:11

Amazon Prime Day: Every AirPods Model Gets New Record Low Price
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Amazon Prime Day is in full swing, and it includes all-time low prices across Apple's entire AirPods lineup. This includes savings on the AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max.
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you can join Prime via a free 30-day trial to participate in this year's Prime Day. Once your trial is over, Prime membership will run for $14.99/month or $139/year. For students, that's $7.49/month or $69/year.
$69.00 ($60 off), but there's also a steep discount on the AirPods 3 at $119.99 ($49 off).
$60 OFF
AirPods 2 for $69.00
$49 OFF
AirPods 3 for $119.99
$80 OFF
AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) for $168.99
$155 OFF
AirPods Max for $394.99
$168.99 ($80 off) and the AirPods Max for $394.99 ($155 off). Both of these deals are new record low prices on each model and just appeared for Prime Day 2024.
big Prime Day post where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the event.
Related Roundup: Apple Deals
Tag: Prime Day
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2024-07-15 22:30:11

Apple Releases First iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 Public Betas
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Apple today provided the first betas of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 to public beta testers, bringing the new software to the general public for the first time since the Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Apple has seeded three developer betas so far, and the first public beta includes the same content that's in the third developer beta.
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Public beta testers who have signed up for Apple's beta testing program can download the ‌iOS 18‌ and ‌iPadOS 18‌ updates by opening up the Settings app, going to General, tapping into the Software Update section and selecting the ‌iOS 18‌ Public Beta option.
iOS 17.
Siri is getting entirely overhauled. Note that Apple Intelligence isn't yet live in the betas.
Along with the AI features (which will be limited to the iPhone 15 Pro models and M-series iPads), ‌iOS 18‌ brings a redesigned Home Screen with the option to rearrange app icons and widgets with open spaces, plus there's a tint option and new darker colors for Dark Mode.
Control Center has been revamped and you can pick and choose what you want to have front and center from the new Controls Gallery. There are multiple pages so you can group related controls, and you can customize sizes. As part of this update, the Flashlight and Camera icons on the Lock Screen can be swapped out, and you can also choose Control Center options for the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Action Button.
The Messages app supports scheduling texts, you can use any emoji for the Tapback feature, and you can send messages via satellite. There are text effects you can use for any word, phrase, or emoji, plus formatting like bold and italic is an option. For texts with Android users, Apple now supports RCS, which basically means you won't run into issues with sending images and files, plus you can see typing indicators and read receipts and send texts over Wi-Fi.
Safari is able to summarize webpages and show you important info at a glance, the Photos app has been overhauled to focus more on surfacing your best photos. A dedicated Passwords app makes it easier to get to your saved passwords and logins, and you can now lock any app with Face ID or Touch ID.
There are a ton of new features in ‌iOS 18‌ and ‌iPadOS 18‌ that aren't mentioned here, so for a more in-depth look make sure to check out our iOS 18 roundup and our iPadOS 18 roundup.
Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
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2024-07-15 20:15:08

Best Buy's Black Friday in July Sale Takes Up to $700 Off M3 MacBook Pro for Members
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Best Buy's "Black Friday in July" sale is in full swing today, and in addition to a few iPad Air discounts we shared earlier, there are also some steep markdowns on the M3 MacBook Pro. You will need a My Best Buy Plus or Total membership in order to get some of these deals.
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add up to an extra $200 off select models.
UP TO $700 OFF
M3 MacBook Pro at Best Buy
You can also find $300 off 14-inch models on Best Buy this week, and these deals do not require a My Best Buy Plus or Total membership. We've collected all of the M3 MacBook Pro discounts in the list below, and remember that the Black Friday in July sale ends Wednesday, so be sure to place any orders before that day.
14-inch MacBook Pro
M3 Pro 512GB - $1,699.00 ($300 off)
M3 Pro 1TB - $2,099.00 ($300 off)
M3 Max 1TB - $2,899.00 ($300 off)
16-inch MacBook Pro
M3 Pro, 18GB RAM, 512GB - $1,899.00 for members ($600 off)
M3 Pro, 36GB RAM, 512GB - $2,299.00 for members ($600 off)
M3 Max, 36GB RAM, 1TB - $2,799.00 for members ($700 off)
M3 Max, 48GB RAM, 1TB - $3,299.00 for members ($700 off)
Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.
Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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2024-07-15 15:15:09

Apple Releases HomePod Mini in New Midnight Color
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Apple today made the existing HomePod mini available in a new Midnight color. It is available to order starting today.
This story will be updated with more details.
Related Roundup: HomePod mini
Buyer's Guide: HomePod Mini (Neutral)
Related Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology
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2024-07-13 17:15:09

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 vs. Samsung's Galaxy Buds3 Pro
Samsung this week introduced its latest earbuds, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro, which look quite a bit like Apple's AirPods Pro 2. Given the similarities, we thought we'd compare Samsung's new earbuds to the ‌AirPods Pro‌.
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Design wise, you could potentially mistake Samsung's Galaxy Buds3 Pro for the ‌AirPods Pro‌. The Buds3 Pro have the same general shape and a silicone tip, though it's worth noting that the Buds3 Pro come in both white and gray, so you're not limited to white as you are with the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2. The charging case is similar to the AirPods Charging Case too, but there's a transparent upper portion.
The Buds3 Pro sound great out of the box, but there is an option to adjust the sound using the equalizer, which isn't possible with the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2. The Active Noise Cancellation and the "Ambient Mode" or transparency on the Buds3 Pro work as well as those features on the ‌AirPods Pro‌, and it's tough to tell the difference between them.
Samsung's Buds3 Pro do not perform as well as the ‌AirPods Pro‌ when it comes to ambient noise detection to adjust sound, however. The ‌AirPods Pro‌ can adjust sound when someone is speaking to you so you can hear them, but the Buds3 Pro struggled to do the same.
The Buds3 Pro have a built-in LED light for aesthetics, and there are controls on the stem for adjusting volume. Samsung also added an interpreter mode for translating foreign languages when connected to the most recent Galaxy phones, but the feature wasn't super accurate.
iPhone users should stick with the AirPods, while Samsung users will want to check out the Buds3 Pro.
are priced at $250, which is the same price as the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2. Pre-orders are available now ahead of a July 24 launch date.
Tag: Samsung
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2024-07-13 00:15:08

Apple CEO Tim Cook and Software Chief Eddy Cue Attend Sun Valley Conference
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Apple CEO Tim Cook and Apple Software and Services chief Eddy Cue are attending the annual Sun Valley Conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, this weekend. The media finance conference is well-known for attracting some of the biggest names in tech.
Image via Reuters
are both regulars at the event.
Other attendees this year include Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Oprah Winfrey, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Bill Gates, Salesforce CEO Mark Benioff, Nike CEO John Donahoe, Sony CEO Ken Yoshida, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Disney CEO Bob Iger.
Tags: Tim Cook, Eddy Cue
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2024-07-12 13:30:11

Hackers Steal Phone Records of 'Nearly All' AT&T Customers
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Hackers broke into a cloud platform used by AT&T and accessed the phone records of "nearly all" of its cellular customers, AT&T announced on Friday.
AT&T said the stolen data contains phone numbers of both cellular and landline customers, as well as AT&T records of calls and text messages across a six-month period between May 1, 2022 and October 31, 2022.
AT&T said some of the stolen data includes more recent records from January 2, 2023 for a smaller, unspecified number of customers, as well as call records of customers with other cellular carriers that rely on AT&T's network.
Some of the records include cell site identification numbers linked to calls and texts, which can be used to work out the approximate location of where a call was made or message sent.
The downloaded data doesn't include the content of any calls or texts, or their time stamps, according to AT&T. It also doesn't have any details such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, or other personally identifiable information.
AT&T said it learned of the data breach on April 19, and that it is unrelated to an earlier security incident in March. The company said it does not believe the data is publicly available at this time, and it continues to work with law enforcement to identify and apprehend those involved. At least one person is said to have been arrested.
TechCrunch that the most recent compromise of customer records were stolen from the cloud data giant Snowflake during a recent spate of data thefts targeting Snowflake's customers. Other companies that have confirmed stolen data from Snowflake include Ticketmaster, QuoteWizard, and others.
Cybersecurity researchers from incident response firm Mandiant say the hacker group is mostly based in the US and those involved are financially motivated.
support article, which also includes advice on how to protect yourself from online fraud.
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2024-07-12 11:45:08

Apple Vision Pro Launches in UK, Canada, France, Germany, and Australia
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Apple's Vision Pro spatial computing headset today arrived at Apple Store locations in the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, and Australia. The device was previously only available in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, mainland China, and the United States.
Consumer interest in the $3,499 headset has slowed at home, and Apple will be hoping its new availability in international markets will provide a shot in the arm for ailing sales. The headset has yet to sell 100,000 units in the quarter since it launched in the U.S. in February, according to market tracker IDC.
Apple's first-ever mixed reality headset offers both augmented and virtual reality features, and it is controlled with a combination of your eyes, hands, and voice. Overall, the feedback on the Vision Pro has been varied. Many users appreciate the device's advanced hardware and technology.
However, there are concerns regarding its functionality, the ease of use of the gesture-based controls, and the device's weight and comfort during extended use. Additionally, the general application of VR technology and the limited content available for the device have drawn criticism.
Vision Pro demo online, with slots available over the course of the next week.
Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro
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2024-07-11 23:00:14

Apple Blog TUAW Returns With Stolen Graphics and AI-Generated Content
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If you've been following Apple news and rumors for the last decade, you might remember The Unofficial Apple Weblog, or TUAW. TUAW was shut down and the site was folded into Engadget way back in 2015, but this month, a zombie TUAW website reappeared.
As it turns out, the TUAW domain name was purchased by a Hong Kong-based advertising agency, and it now hosts stolen content rewritten using AI. TUAW started posting AI-generated content earlier this week, with all of it stolen from sites like MacRumors and 9to5Mac.
MacRumors for these articles, with the graphics used created by our in-house graphic designer. Shortly after we published an iPhone 17 "Slim" overview, for example, TUAW published an almost identical article that uses our stolen imagery and reads like it was run through a thesaurus.
like Christina Warren and Brett Terpstra.
Warren was able to get her name and the names of other prominent writers removed after publicizing the zombie site on Mastodon, but the AI content remains. TUAW changed the Christina Warren byline on its site to Mary Brown, making other similar generic name changes. There are no actual writers at TUAW, just AI-generated images and biographies to go along with the AI content.
The advertising agency that purchased the TUAW domain name (Web Orange Limited) did not purchase any TUAW content, but went back and generated AI-rewritten versions of archived TUAW articles from archive.org. Thousands of these articles are on the site alongside newly generated AI stories.
It is worth noting that the company that bought the TUAW domain name also purchased the iLounge domain name several years ago and resurrected that site with low-quality content.
TidBITS, The Verge, Engadget, 404Media, and other sites have done deep dives into TUAW and the company behind it that are worth checking out. TUAW's owner does not appear to be based in the United States, and it's unclear if TUAW will be taken down even with legal complaints.
MacRumors, 9to5Mac, and other tech sites will want to avoid TUAW going forward. As TidBITS points out, Google is a major factor in what's going on with TUAW because it isn't de-incentivizing AI-generated content, even on a site where it's almost all AI content. TUAW articles are showing up on the first page of search results alongside legitimate tech sites.
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2024-07-11 22:00:14

Apple CEO Tim Cook Uses Vision Pro Every Day
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Apple CEO Tim Cook uses the Apple Vision Pro every day, according to an interview he did with The Sun to highlight the headset's launch in the UK. Cook said that he uses the Vision Pro "in all aspects of [his] daily life."
For specifics, Cook said he used the headset to watch Ted Lasso season three, and that he also watches other Apple TV+ content using the headset.
And so the ability for me to get in the position that I want to get in – including lying flat and putting the screen on the ceiling – is an incredible kind of experience. And of course, it's a 100ft screen. I mean, it's amazing the level of entertainment that it delivers.
Cook went on to say that he feels multitasking is "so much more efficient" on Vision Pro because of the support for multiple windows that can be placed in the wearer's physical space.
iPhone, you can "very easily" use Vision Pro, according to Cook.
According to Cook, some who go through the demo experience find it to be emotional, specifically in reference to viewing spatial photos and videos that allow users to relive memories. "It's interesting to watch people, the reaction that they have," he said. "You know many of them tear up."
Designing the ‌Apple Vision Pro‌ required Apple to file more than 5,000 patents, Cook explained, before lauding the Vision Pro team. "I'm so proud of the total, and the perseverance of the team because this was multiple years in the making."
can be read at The Sun's website. The ‌Apple Vision Pro‌ is launching in the UK, Canada, France, Germany, and Australia tomorrow, with demos set to be available in Apple retail stores.
Tags: Tim Cook, Cook
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2024-07-11 20:30:12

Review: Anker and Belkin 3-in-1 Chargers Offer New Qi2 Options for Desk and Nightstand Charging
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With Qi2 chargers hitting the market in increasing numbers, I've recently spent some time testing out two similar "tree-style" 3-in-1 desktop chargers from Anker and Belkin. 3-in-1 chargers like these, which are capable of charging an iPhone, and Apple Watch, and another device such as AirPods, all wirelessly, have been my go-to bedside charger style ever since the introduction of MagSafe and are very popular with users in general, so I thought it would be worthwhile to see how a couple of the latest options perform.
Anker (left) and Belkin (right) Qi2 3-in-1 chargers
Both the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1 Stand) and the Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand with Qi2 15W offer 15-watt Qi2 phone charging support that is equivalent to ‌MagSafe‌ without needing to license or source components from Apple, while official fast-charging pucks are used to ensure maximum Apple Watch charging performance. The base of each model includes a standard 5-watt Qi charging spot, which is plenty to charge up any AirPods model that includes a wireless charging case. Both the Anker and Belkin models are available in black or white with color-matched cables and power adapters. Anker uses a standard USB-C to USB-C cable while Belkin uses a fixed cable that ends in a USB-C connector, so that's potentially something to consider one way or the other for either aesthetics or product longevity.
While both chargers utilize a relatively heavy base for stability and as an AirPods charging spot, their "trunk and branches" with elevated charging pads for an ‌iPhone‌ and an Apple Watch differ slightly in design, with the Belkin model using a forward-angled main support topped by a single horizontal bar with the phone charging pad at one end and the Apple Watch charger at the other, while the Anker model uses an offset vertical trunk with separate phone and Apple Watch charging pads at different heights. The Anker design results in a bit narrower overall profile with an ‌iPhone‌ and Apple Watch mounted on the chargers, but the Apple Watch can end up somewhat hidden behind the phone in certain configurations such as with the phone in landscape StandBy mode.
The base on the Belkin model is sort of a flat mound with a small depression to help guide your AirPods to the proper charging spot, while the Anker base is more dish-like with a small rim surrounding a flat top. The AirPods charging spot is a separate component embedded in the surface of the base and it's made of a slightly different material, so you can see the outline of the charger to help guide placement, plus there's a light gray Qi logo in the middle of the charging spot. Neither model offers magnets in this charging spot to help make proper placement even easier.
Overall, the Belkin design offers significantly more stability for a mounted phone in my experience, as tapping the phone or generating vibrations on the desk surface will cause the phone to wiggle a fair amount while on the Anker charger, but it remains nearly rock steady while on the Belkin charger. If you're planning to use one of these chargers on a desk or other situation where you'll be interacting with the phone while it's charging, this difference alone is enough to argue for the Belkin in my opinion, as the amount of wobble on the Anker charger is significant.
Looking at the Qi2 phone charging pad itself, the Belkin version has the advantage of an adjustable angle anywhere between fully vertical and fully horizontal, letting you position it however you prefer. The phone pad on the Anker model is at a fixed angle that should work for most people, but the option of adjustments on the Belkin model is a nice feature. The Belkin phone charger also has an understated look with a plain black or white surface matching the base, while the Anker Qi2 charging surface is white on both the black and white model and it has Qi2 branding and "Wireless Power IQ" text on it that makes for a less clean look.
Both chargers were able to take an iPhone 15 Pro Max from 30% to ~80% in about an hour, pretty much exactly in line with what I see from Apple's official ‌MagSafe‌ charger. The charging rate starts to slow significantly beyond that to prevent overheating and overcharging, with all three chargers bringing the phone to around 95% after 90 minutes.
When it comes to the Apple Watch charging puck, the Anker and Belkin units are essentially identical, which makes sense considering these parts are sourced from Apple. On both models, the puck itself is white on both black and white color options. I'd love to see some other puck color options from Apple to help third-party manufacturers offer more flexibility in their own color offerings.
Given that these are official Apple Watch modules, they both suffer from one of the common issues some users have complained about with Apple Watch chargers, and that's the fact that the watch has a tendency to rotate while on the charger. While the watch attaches to the charger magnetically, there's nothing offering any rotational stability, so the weight of the watch or band can result in the watch twisting a bit while on the charger.
To its credit, Anker has tried to address this by including a sheet of round stickers that can be placed on the surface of the charging puck to increase friction and reduce the watch's tendency to rotate. This solution does work pretty well, but the sticker is a bit of an eyesore with a tab to facilitate removal hanging over the edge of the puck and a plus-shaped cut in the center of the sticker to allow it to conform to the slightly concave surface of the puck.
The tree-style designs of these chargers means neither one supports Nightstand Mode for the Apple Watch, as the support arms for the chargers get in the way of the band when trying to turn the watch horizontally, and even if they didn't, the weight of the band would cause the watch to rotate back to nearly vertical. This may not be a deal-breaker for many users, especially with the ‌iPhone‌ now offering its own landscape StandBy mode, but it's worth noting.
Both the Belkin and Anker models support Apple Watch fast charging, and I saw very similar charging speeds taking an Apple Watch Ultra 2 from 20% to 80% in under an hour, in line with what Apple's first-party fast charging cable delivers.
Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1 Stand) (also available at Amazon) is pricing, with a regular price of $99.99 compared to the Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand with Qi2 15W (also available at Amazon) at a regular price of $149.99.
Both brands do occasionally offer sales, with Belkin running a Summer Travel Sale on its own site at the time of this writing that can save you some money. With a regular price of $149.99, the BoostCharge Pro qualifies for a $25 discount on its own, but if you throw in a cheap cable or other accessory to bump above the $150 level, you can save an additional $20 on your total purchase.
Both of these chargers are solid options for a desk or nightstand, as they allow you to charge multiple devices from Apple's ecosystem all in one spot with simple and convenient designs. I tend to prefer the overall design and functionality of the Belkin one, but the Anker one wins out on price, so it's definitely worth weighing those factors when making any purchasing decisions.
It's important to note that neither of these tree-style chargers folds up or disassembles, and as a result they both arrive in relatively large boxes, so these chargers are not very practical for travel. If it's important to be able to take your 3-in-1 charger with you, consider a more compact option such as the popular Anker 3-in-1 Cube or Anker Qi2 MagGo Foldable Charging Station.
Note: Anker and Belkin provided MacRumors with the Qi2 3-in-1 chargers for the purposes of this review. No other compensation was received. MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Anker, Belkin, and Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Tags: Belkin, Anker
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2024-07-11 12:45:09

EU Regulators Accept Apple Commitments to Open NFC Access to Rivals
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The European Union has accepted commitments from Apple to open its mobile payments system and give competitors access to the iPhone's NFC technology, bringing an end to a lengthy investigation by EU regulators into the technology.
According to the announcement, Apple has agreed to open up its payments system to other providers free of charge for a decade. Apple will let users set a third-party wallet app as their default, rather than its own Apple Wallet. It will also allow rivals full access to key iOS features, such as double click to launch wallet apps, along with Face ID, Touch ID, and passcodes for authentication. From the EU press release:
The commitments bring important changes to how Apple operates in Europe to the benefit of competitors and customers.
First, Apple commits to give access to NFC functionality to third-party mobile wallets. This access will be free of charge.
It will take place in what is called "Host Card Emulation mode". This is a software solution that allows rival wallets to make secure NFC payments. Apple Pay, on the other hand, relies on access to the hardware "secure element" in the iPhone. We accept Apple's commitment because it offers an equivalent solution in terms of security and user experience. And it is easier to implement both for Apple and wallet developers. Indeed, other wallets already use this solution in an Android environment.
Second, Apple committed to enable access to important functionalities available on iPhones. This includes Double-Click and Face ID. iPhone users will be able to double-click the side button of their iPhones to launch their preferred payment application. Competing wallets will also be able to use Face ID, Touch ID and passcode to verify users' identities.
Third, Apple will also enable users to make the wallet of their choice the standard option on their iPhones. This is also known as setting the default option.
These commitments are applicable to users registered in the European Economic Area, including when they travel abroad.
Apple has until July 25 to implement the changes. The company risks a fine if it violates the agreement, which will remain binding for 10 years.
2022 with violating competition law, contending that Apple was preventing competitors from accessing its near-field communication (NFC) technology to favor Apple Pay. In response to the charges, Apple made a commitment to the European Commission in January to open access to the iPhone's NFC, allowing competitors to create their own contactless payment solutions outside of the confines of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.
Tags: European Union, European Commission, NFC
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2024-07-11 10:00:14

iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Be First to Feature Three 48MP Camera Lenses
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Next year's iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature an upgraded 48-megapixel Tetraprism camera for enhanced photo quality and zoom functionality, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In his latest investor note published to Medium, Kuo said the key specification change would be a 1/2.6" 48MP CIS sensor, up from the 1/3.1" 12MP sensor expected to be used in this year's iPhone 16 Pro models.
expected to get Tetraprism telephoto lenses in 2024, instead of the technology being limited to the larger Pro Max, as it is in the iPhone 15 series. (The iPhone 15 Pro has a 12-megapixel telephoto camera that offers 3x zoom, but the iPhone 15 Pro Max uses an upgraded telephoto system that allows for 5x zoom.) That means both iPhone 16 Pro models will feature at least 5x optical zoom and at least 25x digital zoom.
Kuo said he is currently uncertain whether only the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature the upgraded Tetraprism camera. But if it is exclusive to the model, then both iPhone 18 Pro models will get it in 2026. The upgraded Tetraprism camera requires all-new designed prisms, which must have a shorter form factor to reduce the camera's height, added Kuo.
said the iPhone 17 Pro Max's upgraded 48MP telephoto lens will be optimized for use with Apple Vision Pro. Current iPhone 15 Pro models can record spatial video with 3D depth for playback on the Vision Pro – when held in landscape orientation, the main and ultra wide lenses combine to record spatial video with added depth.
48MP ultra wide lens, which would make the iPhone 17 Pro Max the first iPhone model to have a rear camera system entirely made up of 48-megapixel lenses. To put that into perspective, current iPhone 15 Pro models have 48MP main, 12MP ultra wide, and 12MP telephoto lenses.
Related Roundup: iPhone 17
Tag: Ming-Chi Kuo
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2024-07-11 09:30:10

iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Be First to Feature Three 48MP Camera Lenses
https://images.macrumors.com/article-new/2023/09/iPhone-15-Pro-Cameras.jpg
Next year's iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature an upgraded 48-megapixel Tetraprism camera for enhanced photo quality and zoom functionality, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In his latest investor note published to Medium, Kuo said the key specification change would be a 1/2.6" 48MP CIS sensor, up from the 1/3.1" 12MP sensor expected to be used in this year's iPhone 16 Pro models.
expected to get Tetraprism telephoto lenses in 2024, instead of the technology being limited to the larger Pro Max, as it is in the iPhone 15 series. (The iPhone 15 Pro has a 12-megapixel telephoto camera that offers 3x zoom, but the iPhone 15 Pro Max uses an upgraded telephoto system that allows for 5x zoom.) That means both iPhone 16 Pro models will feature at least 5x optical zoom and at least 25x digital zoom.
Kuo said he is currently uncertain whether only the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature the upgraded tetraprism camera. But if it is exclusive to the model, then both iPhone 18 Pro models will get it in 2026. The upgraded tetraprism camera requires all-new designed prisms, which must have a shorter form factor to reduce the camera's height, added Kuo.
said the iPhone 17 Pro Max's upgraded 48MP telephoto lens will be optimized for use with Apple Vision Pro.
48MP Ultra Wide lens, which would make the iPhone 17 Pro Max the first iPhone model to have a rear camera system entirely made up of 48-megapixel lenses. To put that into perspective, current iPhone 15 Pro models have 48-megapixel main, 12-megapixel ultra wide, and 12-megapixel telephoto lenses.
Related Roundup: iPhone 17
Tag: Ming-Chi Kuo
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2024-07-10 19:15:09

Apple Seeds Third Beta of macOS Sequoia to Developers
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Apple today seeded the third beta of upcoming an upcoming macOS 15 Sequoia update to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming two weeks after the release of the second beta, which added iPhone Mirroring support.
Registered developers can opt-in to the beta through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. Note that an Apple ID associated with an Apple Developer account is required to get the beta.
macOS Sequoia includes ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring, which allows you to control your locked ‌iPhone‌ from your Mac. You can open and use ‌iPhone‌ apps, interact with notifications, and drag and drop files between your ‌iPhone‌ and Mac and vice versa.
There are new options for window tiling, and dragging a window to the edge of the display will suggest a tiled location to make it easier to use multiple apps at once. Apple is adding a Passwords app for managing passwords, Safari can summarize websites and surface key information, and Notes has support for live audio transcription and math equations.
iOS 18 will also be available in ‌macOS Sequoia‌, but Apple does not plan to add these until later in the beta testing process. Apple Intelligence includes Writing Tools for editing, proofreading, and summarizing text in apps, and an Image Playground allows for AI images to be created from prompts.
Siri is getting much smarter. ‌Siri‌ will be able to do more in apps and will better understand requests, especially those made in regard to on-screen content.
Related Roundup: macOS Sequoia
Related Forum: macOS Sequoia
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2024-07-10 19:00:15

Easily Switch From Google Photos to iCloud Photos With This New Tool
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Google today released a tool that allows you to transfer photos and videos from Google Photos to iCloud Photos, complete with albums and descriptions.
Apple released an equivalent tool for moving from iCloud Photos to Google Photos three years ago, so this was a reciprocal move by Google. The companies released the tools as part of the Data Transfer Initiative, which is focused on ensuring that customers can download their data from one online service and upload it to another.
Google's tool merely creates a copy of your photos and videos for another service. The original photos and videos will remain in your Google Photos account following the transfer process, unless they are manually deleted afterwards.
Google and Apple support documents for each tool, and on the Data Transfer Initiative blog.
Tags: Google Photos, iCloud Photos
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2024-07-09 18:00:15

Nomad Launches 65W Dual USB-C Power Adapter With Built-In Apple Watch Charger
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Nomad today announced the launch of its latest product, the 65W AC Power Adapter Apple Watch Edition. Ideal for travel, the power adapter includes two USB-C ports and an Apple Watch charging puck.
Like most modern chargers, Nomad's 65W Apple Watch Power Adapter uses Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, so it's compact. It's a little thicker than Apple chargers, but it's much smaller than the comparable 61W charger from Apple and overall more portable. The prongs fold down when the charger is not in use, which increases portability.
The two USB-C ports offer up to 65W total power, so if only one is in use, you get the full 65W. If two are in use, the top port can charge a device at 45W and the bottom port can charge a device at 20W. There is an Apple Watch charging puck at the top, and it supports fast charging for charging Apple's latest Apple Watch models at the maximum speed.
iPhone, iPad, AirPods, or other device that charges over USB-C. At 65W max, you're not getting the best charging speeds for the 16-inch MacBook Pro, but it's enough for slower charging, and plenty for an ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, or smaller MacBook.
The power adapter works best in a wall outlet where the Apple Watch charging puck is at the top of the device, but it can be used with tabletop chargers where the charging puck is at the side because of the magnetic attachment. Nomad does not include USB-C cables with the power adapter, so you'll need to supply your own.
With some short cables, it makes for a useful travel charger. It's more compact than a lot of other travel charging options, and it can fast charge an ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, and Apple Watch, which isn't true of on-the-go MagSafe chargers. It's also versatile, because the two ports can charge other devices like Samsung phones and handheld game consoles.
Nomad is known for premium devices, and the main downside to the Apple Watch Power Adapter is the price. It's $100, and that's expensive for a dual-port USB-C charger that maxes out at 65W. You're getting the benefit of a built-in Apple Watch charger, a portable build, and a sleek design at that price point, but the cost is going to turn away some buyers. Still, Nomad makes reliable products and this is a high-quality power adapter that's worth checking out if you're in the market for something that's useful for travel or bringing between locations like home and work.
can be purchased from the Nomad website for $100.
Tag: Nomad
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2024-07-08 22:00:13

Everything New in iOS 18 Beta 3
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With the third betas of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 that Apple released today, there are additional tweaks to a number of features like Dark Mode icons, the Photos app, emoji in Messages, and more, with Apple appearing to be preparing for the launch of Apple Intelligence.
Apple will continue updating ‌iOS 18‌‌ over the course of the next couple of months, refining the beta prior to its launch. We've highlighted everything new in the third ‌‌iOS 18‌‌ beta.
Dark Mode Icons
There are now ‌Dark Mode‌ icons for many third-party apps like Facebook, Etsy, Telegram, Signal, Slack, Notion, YouTube, and more. Apple appears to be adding the ‌Dark Mode‌ icons automatically to apps that have icons with a handful colors.
With some icons, the secondary color becomes the main color, while the background color is turned to black, and in others, a white icon background transitions to black.
Apps with complicated icon designs in many colors do not change to a ‌Dark Mode‌ color at this time, but Apple does tint them to be darker. When ‌iOS 18‌ releases, app developers will presumably be able to provide their own ‌Dark Mode‌ icon options.
Photos App
Apple added a Select button for choosing multiple images to the main ‌Photos‌ interface, so there is no longer a need to swipe down to get to the Select button.
With this change, the Search button is now just a magnifying glass, but it is highlighted blue to make it stand out more.
Emoji
In Messages, emoji, Memoji, and stickers have all been combined into one interface, which can be navigated using the tiny icons at the bottom of the display. There are icons you can tap into to get to stickers or Memoji, and you can scroll through your Memoji to more quickly find specific characters and poses.
You can create both stickers and Memoji from this interface, and you can use stickers right in your messages like you can use emoji. This works with non-moving stickers only, and those with animation from Live Photos will display in the larger attachment sticker size. The smaller stickers used as emoji are, however, hard to see.
Emoji are displayed larger than before, so you see more detail but fewer characters before having to scroll, and there are more emoji and stickers displayed at once in the Recent section.
Apple likely made these changes to prepare for the debut of Apple Intelligence, Genmoji, and Image Playground.
Wallpaper
There is a dynamic version of the ‌iOS 18‌ wallpaper that transitions through different colors based on the time of day.
Flashlight Interface
When you activate the Flashlight, or tap on the controls from the Dynamic Island, there is a larger and more intuitive interface for changing the brightness and the spread of the LED Flash used for the Flashlight feature.
Maps
Apple has once again tweaked the colors of the Maps icon when ‌Dark Mode‌ is activated.
RCS in Messages
The interface for RCS in the Messages section of the Settings app has changed. Rather than just showing up as an on/off toggle, it is now a tap-in menu that provides some additional context. Apple explains that sending and receiving messages with ‌RCS‌ uses wireless data, and cellular network identifiers may be shared with carriers and their partners.
iPhone users in Canada and other countries are also now seeing the ‌RCS‌ toggle, though it is unclear if ‌RCS‌ is working outside of the United States.
Apple Intelligence
There are some mentions of Apple Intelligence features in the code, further hinting at the upcoming addition of AI to the ‌iOS 18‌ beta. Code references Genmoji, Image Playground, Writing Tools, Image Wand, and more.
More New Changes
Know of a new feature in ‌iOS 18‌ beta 3 that we left out? Let us know in the comments below.
Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
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2024-07-08 21:15:09

Apple Preparing Minor iOS 17.5.2 Update for iPhone
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Apple is preparing to release a minor iOS 17.5.2 update for the iPhone, according to a post shared today by an anonymous leaker on X, formerly known as Twitter. The leaker has a private account, so we are not identifying it or linking to it, but they have proven to be a consistently accurate source for upcoming iOS updates.
Nothing is known about iOS 17.5.2, beyond the leaker claiming that the update will have a build number of 21F101. However, the update will almost certainly be a minor one, especially given that Apple is now focused on iOS 18 beta testing. iPhone users still running iOS 17 can expect the update to include bug fixes and/or security patches.
It is unclear when iOS 17.5.2 will be released to the public, but updates revealed by this leaker typically become available within a few weeks after they post on social media, so it is likely that iOS 17.5.2 will be released at some point in July.
third beta of iOS 18 to developers earlier today.
Related Roundups: iOS 17, iPadOS 17
Related Forums: iOS 17, iPadOS 17
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2024-07-08 17:30:11

Apple Pencil With USB-C Now Available in Apple's Refurbished Store in These Countries
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Apple today added the lower-cost Apple Pencil with a USB-C port to its online refurbished store for the first time in select European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK.
The refurbished model is discounted by around 15% in each country. For example, pricing is set at £69 in the UK, down from £79 brand new.
in November 2023, the lower-cost Apple Pencil has a similar design as the Apple Pencil 2 and Apple Pencil Pro, but with a USB-C port hidden under a sliding cap for charging and pairing with a USB-C cable. It attaches magnetically to any iPad with a USB-C port, but it does not support wireless charging or wireless pairing. It also lacks pressure sensitivity and a double-tap gesture for switching between drawing tools.
Apple says its refurbished products undergo full functionality testing, and are subject to a thorough cleaning process and inspection. The refurbished Apple Pencils are repackaged in a plainer white box with a refurbished label.
Tags: Apple Refurbished Products, Apple Pencil
Related Forum: iPad Accessories
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2024-07-08 16:45:08

Apple Store in Southern Sweden Permanently Closing Later This Week
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Apple has announced that its retail store at the Väla Centrum shopping mall near Helsingborg, Sweden will be permanently closed after July 13. The date was spotted by Michael Steeber, who writes a weekly newsletter about Apple retail.
Apple Väla Centrum
Apple in January told Swedish publication Feber that it would not be renewing its lease at the mall, but it did not provide a reason for the decision. At the same time, Apple announced that it would be opening a new retail store at the Mall of Scandinavia near Stockholm this year, but it has yet to reveal a grand opening date for that location.
Tag: Apple Store
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2024-07-08 16:15:09

Apple to Report Earnings Results on August 1 After Releasing New iPads
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Apple recently announced that its next quarterly earnings conference call will be held on Thursday, August 1 at 2 p.m. Pacific Time.
On the call, which anyone can listen to, Apple's CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri will discuss the company's earnings results for the third quarter of the 2024 fiscal year. During the quarter, spanning March 31 through June 29, Apple released new iPad Pro models with the M4 chip, new iPad Air models with the M2 chip, and the Apple Pencil Pro. Near the end of the quarter, Apple also began accepting orders for the Vision Pro in eight more countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, the U.K., China, Japan, and more.
Yahoo Finance. Apple reported $81.8 billion revenue in the year-ago quarter.
Tags: Earnings, AAPL
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2024-07-08 15:45:08

Get Up to $550 Off Apple's M2 iPad Pro With New Record Low Prices
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Best Buy today has some of the biggest discounts on the M2 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro that we've tracked in months, starting as low as $699.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi 11-inch tablet. A My Best Buy Plus/Total membership is not required to see these discounts.
Best Buy has every model of the 2022 iPad Pro on sale except the 128GB Wi-Fi model of the 12.9-inch tablet. Otherwise, you'll find every Wi-Fi tablet and every cellular tablet on sale at this time, and at record low prices with up to $550 off the iPad Pro.
UP TO $550 OFF
M2 iPad Pro at Best Buy
read about which one works best for you in our Buyer's Guide.
11-Inch iPad Pro
Wi-Fi
128GB Wi-Fi for $699.00 ($100 off)
256GB Wi-Fi for $799.00 ($100 off)
512GB Wi-Fi for $899.00 ($200 off)
1TB Wi-Fi for $1,199.00 ($300 off)
2TB Wi-Fi for $1,599.00 ($300 off)
Cellular
128GB Cellular for $799.00 ($200 off)
256GB Cellular for $899.00 ($200 off)
512GB Cellular for $949.00 ($350 off)
1TB Cellular for $1,249.00 ($450 off)
2TB Cellular for $1,649.00 ($450 off)
12.9-Inch iPad Pro
Wi-Fi
256GB Wi-Fi for $999.00 ($200 off)
512GB Wi-Fi for $1,099.00 ($300 off)
1TB Wi-Fi for $1,399.00 ($400 off)
2TB Wi-Fi for $1,799.00 ($400 off)
Cellular
128GB Cellular for $999.00 ($300 off)
256GB Cellular for $1,099.00 ($300 off)
512GB Cellular for $1,149.00 ($450 off)
1TB Cellular for $1,449.00 ($550 off)
2TB Cellular for $1,849.00 ($550 off)
Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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2024-07-05 23:15:11

Apple Approves Epic Games Store for iPhone and iPad in EU
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Apple today said it has approved the third-party Epic Games Store in the European Union, allowing the Fortnite developer to launch its alternative app marketplace in those countries, reports Reuters. ‌Epic Games‌ had submitted the ‌Epic Games‌ Store to Apple for notarization earlier this week.
Earlier today, Epic stated Apple had twice rejected the ‌Epic Games‌ Store this week, with Apple reportedly claiming that an "Install" button and "in-app purchases" labels were too similar to Apple's own elements for the App Store. Epic argued that the rejection was "arbitrary, obstructive, and in violation of the DMA [Digital Markets Act]" and that it was reporting the issue to the European Commission, but it appears Apple has relented and approved Epic's previously rejected submission.
Tags: Epic Games, Epic Games vs. Apple
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2024-07-05 18:15:12

The MacRumors Show: Luke Miani Talks Apple Watch X
YouTuber and podcaster Luke Miani joins us on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show to discuss all the latest rumors about the upcoming Apple Watch "Series X."
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The Apple Watch Series X, coming ten years after the Apple Watch was originally announced alongside the iPhone 6, was initially rumored to be a major overhaul of the device. Now, it looks like the upgrade will be more minor than expected, focusing on new casing and display sizes, but with a design that continues to be effectively the same. The current 41mm and 45mm casing options are likely to be replaced with 45mm and 49mm models, meaning that the larger model would be the same size as the Apple Watch Ultra. The two models are expected to offer 1.89-inch and 2.04-inch display sizes, respectively.
hypertension and sleep apnea detection, a more efficient display, and a thinner logic board. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is expected to be largely the same as the previous model, but potentially adding a black color option and the health features also coming to the Series X. A third-generation Apple Watch SE could also be on the way with the larger casing and display sizes of the Apple Watch Series 7, increasing from 40mm and 44mm to 41mm and 45mm.
visionOS 2 and our reflections on the AirPods Max after three and a half years with Apple's premium over-ear headphones. See more of Luke's work over on his YouTube channel. The MacRumors Show also has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips:
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If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion about the international rollout of Apple Vision Pro and the new Beats Pill Bluetooth speaker.
MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Kevin Nether, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Jon Prosser, Sam Kohl, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.
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Tags: The MacRumors Show, Apple Watch X
This article, "The MacRumors Show: Luke Miani Talks Apple Watch X" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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2024-07-05 14:15:11

iPhone 17 'Slim': Everything We Know So Far
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Next year, Apple is expected to discontinue the iPhone "Plus" device in its iPhone 17 lineup to make way for an iPhone "Slim" – although it may not actually be called this when it debuts in the fall of next year. Even though the iPhone 16 series launch is still over two months away, when you consider that we learned about larger displays on the iPhone 16 Pro models way back in May 2023, rumors about a two-generations-away iPhone isn't all that unusual so far ahead of time.
While we await this year's iPhone 16 series, here's a compilation of everything we have heard from reputable sources so far about Apple's so-called iPhone 17 "Slim."
iPhone 17 Slim Rumors So Far
Thinner Design
According to The Information, Apple's all-new iPhone 17 model next year will have a "significantly thinner" design with an aluminum chassis, rather than a titanium casing like Apple's Pro models. The news outlet also claims that the device will feature a narrower Dynamic Island, potentially due to Apple's adoption of a smaller "metalens" for the Face ID system. Internally code-named D23, the device's redesign has been described as a major one equivalent to the iPhone X.
Smaller Display
The first details about the size of the device's display arrived courtesy of Haitong International Securities analyst Jeff Pu, who said it would be 6.6 inches. However, according to Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) analyst Ross Young, it will feature a 6.55-inch display. For comparison, the iPhone 15 Plus has a 6.7-inch display. Apple is still said to be testing different designs for the slimmer phone, so the display size could always change between now and the device's launch.
Relocated Cameras
The Information claimed that the iPhone 17 "Slim" will have cameras in locations we haven't seen before on an iPhone. According to a May report, the rear cameras could be moved to the "top center" of the device. Some Android phones like Google's Pixel 8 Pro have rear cameras in a top-center position, but Apple's iPhone camera system has occupied the top-left corner ever since the 2007 model.
Anti-Reflective Coating
All iPhone 17 models will feature an anti-reflective display that is more scratch-resistant than Apple's Ceramic Shield found on iPhone 15 models, according to Chinese Weibo leaker Instant Digital. The outer glass on the iPhone 17 series is said to have a "super-hard anti-reflective layer" that is "more scratch-resistant." It's not clear whether Apple is planning to adopt the Gorilla Glass Armor that Samsung uses in its Galaxy S24 Ultra, but the description of Corning's latest technology matches the rumor.
ProMotion Technology
According to The Elec, all iPhone 17 models will feature OLED displays with low-power backplane technology, bringing ProMotion to Apple's non-Pro iPhone models for the first time. ProMotion allows the display to ramp up to a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and video content when required. ProMotion also allows the display to ramp down to a more power-efficient refresh rate as low as 1Hz, which is why the iPhone 15 Pro screens feature an always-on capability that shows the Lock Screen's clock, widgets, notifications, and wallpaper even when the device is locked.
Improved Selfie Camera
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the entire iPhone 17 lineup will feature a 24-megapixel front-facing camera with a six-element lens. The iPhone 14 and 15 feature a 12-megapixel front-facing camera with five plastic lens elements, and this year's iPhone 16 lineup is expected to feature the same hardware. The upgraded resolution on the iPhone 17 will allow photos to maintain their quality even when cropped or zoomed in, while the larger number of pixels will capture finer details. The upgrade to a six-element lens should also slightly enhance image quality.
Internal Upgrades
Haitong analyst Jeff Pu claims the iPhone 17 "Slim" will feature 8GB of RAM, compared to 6GB of RAM on the iPhone 15 Plus. It's worth noting that all upcoming iPhone 16 models are expected to be fitted with 8GB of RAM – a hardware requirement of on-device Apple Intelligence. According to The Information, the device will also be equipped with Apple's A19 chip.
Higher Price
The Information reported that the slimmer iPhone 17 could have a higher price tag than the Pro Max model, which currently starts at $1,199, suggesting that the device would become the ew highest-end model in the lineup, bettering the iPhone 17 Pro Max. If that's the case, then perhaps the "iPhone Slim" will end up being the "iPhone Ultra" that has been rumored for several years.
Related Roundup: iPhone 17
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2024-07-05 11:45:11

Authy Users Urged to Stay Alert After Hack Exposes 33 Million Phone Numbers
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Twilio has updated its Authy two-factor authentication (2FA) service after a hacker claimed to have retrieved 33 million phone numbers from its user database.
TechCrunch reports that the hacker(s) known as ShinyHunters took to a well-known hacking forum to boast about the theft of 33 million cell phone numbers, achieved by what Twilio described as the use of an "authenticated endpoint."
The U.S. messaging giant confirmed this week that "threat actors" gained access to its servers, resulting in the theft of users' phone numbers, but it did not specify how many were accessed. The company said it had taken action to secure the exploit and prevent similar future unauthenticated requests.
"We have seen no evidence that the threat actors obtained access to Twilio's systems or other sensitive data," said the company in a blog post. "While Authy accounts are not compromised, threat actors may try to use the phone number associated with Authy accounts for phishing and smishing attacks; we encourage all Authy users to stay diligent and have heightened awareness around the texts they are receiving."
As Twilio notes, obtaining a list of phone numbers may not appear in itself to pose a severe security threat. However, attackers could conceivably contact users and claim to be Authy or Twilio representatives in order to get them to reveal personal information as part of a phishing campaign.
App Store. Twilio also advises users who cannot access their Authy account to contact its support team immediately.
How to Use Safari's Built-in 2FA Code Generator
shutting down its Mac and Linux desktop apps in August 2024, but ended up bringing the date forward. The apps were subsequently killed off in March.
Tag: Two-Factor Authentication
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2024-07-04 13:15:11

Apple M5 Chip's Dual-Use Design Will Power Future Macs and AI Servers
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Apple will reportedly use a more advanced SoIC packaging technology for its M5 chips, as part of a two-pronged strategy to meet its growing need for silicon that can power consumer Macs and enhance the performance of its data centers and future AI tools that rely on the cloud.
Developed by TSMC and unveiled in 2018, SoIC (System on Integrated Chip) technology allows for the stacking of chips in a three-dimensional structure, providing better electrical performance and thermal management compared to traditional two-dimensional chip designs.
Economic Daily, Apple has expanded its cooperation with TSMC on a next-generation hybrid SoIC package that additionally combines thermoplastic carbon fiber composite molding technology. The package is said to be in a small trial production phase, with the intention of mass producing the chips in 2025 and 2026 for new Macs and AI cloud servers.
discovered in official Apple code. Apple has been working on processors for its own AI servers made with TSMC's 3nm process, targeting mass production by the second half of 2025. However, according to Haitong analyst Jeff Pu, Apple's plans in late 2025 are to assemble AI servers powered by its M4 chip.
Currently, Apple's AI cloud servers are believed to be running on multiple connected M2 Ultra chips, which were originally designed solely for desktop Macs. Whenever the M5 is adopted, its advanced dual-use design is believed to be a sign of Apple future-proofing its plan to vertically integrate its supply chain for AI functionality across computers, cloud servers, and software.
(Via Digitimes.com.)
Tags: TSMC, M5
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