Apple
When it comes to iOS “point release” updates, there are those that don’t seem to change much and those that bring a bunch of fun new features to your iPhone. iOS 16.4, which arrived on iPhones everywhere on Monday, March 27, is the latter.
New security updates are usually a good enough reason to update your iPhone right away, but in the case of iOS 16.4, you’re getting a bunch of enhancements that will impact the way you use your iPhone every day. So if you’re debating whether to update, here are three reasons to take the plunge right now:
New Home app architecture
Apple first released its promised new Home architecture back in iOS 16.2, but users had trouble updating and it was quickly pulled just a few days later. After several months, it’s now back in iOS 16.4.
The new architecture doesn’t really add any specific new features yet. It’s just a total reworking of the under-the-hood workings of the Home app and HomeKit for efficiency, reliability, and speed. If you previously upgraded before Apple pulled it last December, you shouldn’t need to upgrade again, but things should work more smoothly than last time.
Once you update to iOS 16.4, you can open the Home app, tap the (…) button in the upper right corner, and then select Home Settings. The prompt to update will be at the top of the screen. Note that all your other Apple things (especially Home Hubs like Apple TV or HomePod) will need to be updated as well.
New emojis
Who doesn’t love emojis? In iOS 16.4 Apple is adding 21 new emojis (31 if you include skin tone variations). You’ll get:
- Heart: Blue, pink, gray
- Smiley: Shaking face
- Gesture: Rightwards and leftwards pushing hand with 5 skin tones each
- Animals: Donkey, moose, goose, wing, jellyfish
- Nature: Hyacinth, pea pod, ginger
- Items: Folding hand fan, hair pick, flute, maracas
- Symbols: Khanda, wireless
Web app push notifications
For a long time now, one of the biggest problems with “web apps”–websites you add to your home screen to act like apps–was the lack of ability to send push notifications. With iOS 16.4, web apps added to your home screen can use the HTML5 standard Web Push API to send push notifications, complete with badge icons. Of course, they’ll have to ask permission to do this just like any app, and you can go to Settings > Notifications to adjust the way the web app notifies you.
Just note, this will only apply to apps added to your home screen. You know, like you would do with Wordle. Unlike Safari on the Mac, regular websites accessed in Safari on iOS still can’t send push notifications.
And those are only the three biggest new features. There are also some pretty nice smaller features that you’ll love too. And for all the latest news about iOS 16 including the next beta as it arrives, check out our iOS 16 superguide.
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The "new devices" that Apple mentions in the launch notes for the update likely pertain to the HomePod, which was released in January 2023. Apple at the time also introduced new 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models and refreshed versions of the Mac mini.
iTunes for Windows can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store or from Apple's website.
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Apple is expected to unveil its $3,000 mixed-reality headset on the opening day of WWDC 2023 during the company's keynote address…
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This weekend the U.K. celebrated (if that’s the correct word) the beginning of British Summer Time, while U.S. daylight saving time began a fortnight before that. In both nations, it means, in theory at any rate, that the long dark nights of winter are behind us and spring is here. And for tech aficionados interested in a particular ecosystem that time of year means one thing: an Apple event.
This year, however, we might have to manage without one and accept that Cupertino winter is likely to carry on until the start of Cupertino summer on June 5, when WWDC kicks off. All the evidence strongly suggests Apple has decided not to bother with a spring event in 2023.
For a start, let’s take a look at the dates of the 10 most recent Apple spring events, arranged by lateness in the year:
- March 2 (2011)
- March 6 (2008)
- March 7 (2012)
- March 8 (2022)
- March 9 (2015)
- March 21 (2016)
- March 25 (2019)
- March 27 (2018)
- April 8 (2010)
- April 20 (2021)
As you can see, this week we’re passing the final date in March, leaving only those unusual April get-togethers (one held a long time ago to show off iOS 4 before it became a WWDC staple, and the other seemingly pushed back by the pandemic) as reasons to hold out hope. If Apple held an event tomorrow, it would already be the third latest on the list. (It obviously won’t do that, because it needs to send out invitations, and that generally happens around a week beforehand.) Once you add on invite time we’re pushing up close to the date from 2010; beyond that, there’s only the very uncharacteristic outlier from 2021. Every day that passes makes an Apple spring event less likely, fairly obviously, but the chances are low already.
WWDC 2023 will be held the week of June 5, but will we get an Apple event before then?
Apple
And it isn’t only the calendar that counsels pessimism. You see, Apple has made an announcement this spring, when it launched the yellow iPhone 14 on March 7. It wasn’t an event, just a discreet press release, but it was exactly the sort of reveal that normally folds in with the spring bonanza. (The Alpine Green iPhone 13 Pro was unveiled at the Peek Performance event in March 2022, and the purple iPhone 12 at Spring Loaded in April 2021.) As I’ve discussed elsewhere, if Apple was going to have an event, it stands to reason that it wouldn’t have announced the yellow iPhone 14 in that way, at that time.
But the other thing worth noting about that list is the gaps. Apple spring events happen most years, but it’s hardly a shock when they don’t: as recently as 2020 the company went through the whole of March and April without inviting anyone to a virtual or in-person gathering. It’s not a positive sign, implying a lack of groundbreaking products ready for launch, but it’s not a disaster either. The company evidently doesn’t feel comfortable showing off the AR headset just yet, but that’s better than forcing it. (Members of the headset design team reportedly feel that any launch this year will be forcing it, but that’s a story for another day.)
So while the ever-diminishing likelihood of an Apple event in spring 2023 is disappointing, there remain reasons for tech fans to be cheerful. We can still, by all accounts, look forward to the reveal of the Reality Pro headset at some point in 2023, and the novelty of the category and the importance of this product to Apple’s post-iPhone future will make the unveiling a must-watch event. Sure, it would have been nice if it had happened before April Fools Day, but it ought to be worth the wait.
Submissions are open starting today, with Apple to accept projects through April 19 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Entrants must be at least 13 years old (in the U.S.) and need to be registered as a member of the Apple Developer Program. There's also an academic requirement, so those who enter must be students in some capacity.
Students will need to create an interactive scene in an app playground that can be experienced within three minutes. Entries are judged on technical accomplishment, creativity of ideas, and content of written responses explaining the project and other app development experience.
Winners will receive exclusive WWDC 2023 outerwear (which has been a jacket in past years), AirPods Pro, a customized pin set, and a one year membership in the Apple Developer Program.
There will also be a random selection process among winners to choose students to attend the special event that Apple plans to hold at Apple Park on June 5. Students can opt-in to this selection process when uploading their projects, and this lottery is separate from the main developer lottery for the event. Travel and accommodations will not be included.
Apple will inform students about their status by the end of the business day on Tuesday, May 9. Entries can be submitted through Apple's developer website. The full terms and conditions of the challenge are also available for those who have questions.
This article, "WWDC 2023 Includes Swift Student Challenge, Some Winners Able to Attend Apple Park Special Event" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Below, we have outlined how to request to attend the special all‑day event, who is eligible to attend, and other important details.
How to Request to Attend
To request to attend the special event at Apple Park, head to the WWDC 2023 website and click or tap the request button. You will be prompted to sign into your Apple Developer account and must be enrolled in Apple's Developer Program for $99 per year, or have a complimentary membership, such as by winning last year's Swift Student Challenge.
Next, review the information provided on the next screen, such as your name and email address, and submit the request to Apple.
Apple says invitations will be allocated by a random selection process and are non-transferrable. Apple will notify individuals who are selected to attend the event by April 5 at 6 p.m. Pacific Time. Travel and accommodations are not included.
Who is Eligible
- Apple Developer Program members (including Enterprise Program)
- Swift Student Challenge winners (2020 to 2022)
- Apple Entrepreneur Camp alumni
Key Dates
- April 4 at 9 a.m. Pacific Time: Deadline to submit a request to attend
- April 5 at 6 p.m. Pacific Time: Those who request to attend will be notified of their status by this date
- June 5: Apple Park special event day
This article, "WWDC 2023 Includes Special Event at Apple Park: How to Request to Attend" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Apple doesn’t often participate in big industry-wide events such as CES or E3. The most valuable company in the world holds its own events, thank you very much. Several times a year, Apple invites the press and industry professionals to Appel Park to hear all about its latest products and services. Apple calls these “events,” and streams them live online to millions of watchers.
In 2022, there were three such events: A spring event on March 8, WWDC on June 6, and the iPhone 14 launch on September 7. An additional event was expected in October or November but never materialized. In 2023, we expect at least three Apple events and possibly four—one of which might be the debut of a whole new category of products from Apple. Read on to find out what events and new Apple product launches the company might have in store for 2023.
Update 03/29/23: Apple has officially announced the dates for WWDC, which starts with “a special in-person experience” at the Steve Jobs Theater on June 5 and runs through June 9.
When is Apple’s next event?
While Apple hasn’t officially announced its next event yet, it already announced new products in 2023: the 2nd-gen HomePod, M2 Mac Mini, the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, and the yellow iPhone 14. While that doesn’t mean Apple isn’t planning a spring event for sometime in April as it has done once before, the odds of it happening aren’t good.
Recent rumors suggest that Apple’s AR/VR headset, once set for a debut in the spring (with a release later this year), will now be unveiled at WWDC in June. That calls into question the entire possibility of a spring event, as the only significant product Apple is expected to release before summer is a 15-inch MacBook Air.
Apple
What happens at an Apple event?
Apple holds three or four live or live-streamed events throughout the year where the company unveils its latest products and plans during a keynote address. They are usually held during similar times of the year:
- March/April: Spring event
- June: WWDC
- September: Fall event
- October: Final event
The spring event is the least predictable of the bunch. In 2022, Apple released the iPhone SE 2, iPad Air, and Mac Studio and Studio Display, in 2021, we got the iMac, AirTag, and Apple TV 4K. And in 2019, the event was devoted to Apple’s services: Apple TV+, Apple News+, and Apple Arcade. Some years, Apple doesn’t hold a spring event at all. The other events are more predictable, with software coming at WWDC, iPhones and Apple Watches in September, and Macs in October.
What time will the next Apple event start?
Apple’s events usually start at 10 am PT at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. Here’s what that translates to in the countries where most of our readers live:
- US: at 10 am (PST/PDT), 11 am (MST/MDT), noon (CST/CDT), 1 pm (EST/EDT)
- Canada: as above, and 2 pm (AST/ADT)
- UK: at 6 pm (GMT/BST)
- Europe: at 7pm (CET/CEST)
- India: at 10.30 pm (IST)
- Australia: Following day at 1 am (AWST/AWDT), 2.30 am (ACST/ACDT), 3 am (AEST/AEDT)
- New Zealand: next day at 5 am (NZST/NZDT)
How long does an Apple event last?
Apple keynotes usually last between one and two hours and feature CEO Tim Cook along with various other Apple executives including Craig Federighi, John Ternus, Erin Turullols, and others.
What Apple events will take place in 2023?
Based on past history and recent rumors, here are the events we expect to see across the remainder of 2023:
Spring Event: April 2023
According to the latest rumors, Apple is planning to hold a spring event in 2023. The event will most likely take place on a Monday or Tuesday in early- to mid-April. Here’s when Apple has held its last few spring events:
- 2022: Tuesday, March 8
- 2021: Tuesday, April 20
- 2020: No event due to Covid
- 2019: Monday, March 25
- 2018: Tuesday, March 27
- 2017: No event
Apple had been expected to unveil its AR headset at a spring event, which would be a whole new device category for Apple. It’s expected to cost upwards of $3,000 and might not ship until the fall—though the device will be a precursor to the eventual release of wearable Apple glasses. With recent reports suggesting the unveiling has been moved back a couple months to WWDC in June, it’s not clear that Apple would have a spring event at all.
Also on the list for possible releases are a new 15-inch MacBook Air and a Mac Pro with Apple silicon, the last Mac to still have an Intel processor.
WWDC: June 2023
WWDC is scheduled for the first week of June, 2023:
- WWDC 2023: June 5-9
- WWDC 2022: June 6-10
- WWDC 2021: June 7-11
- WWDC 2020: June 22-26
- WWDC 2019: June 3-7
- WWDC 2018: June 4-8
- WWDC 2017: June 5-9
The keynote will take place on a Monday, with developer events and sessions continuing throughout the week. Read more about WWDC 2023 date, times and everything you need to know about what will launch in our separate article.
Apple uses WWDC each year to unveil the latest versions of its operating systems, so this year we’ll get a preview of iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 14, watchOS 10, and tvOS 17, and possibly for the first time xrOS, Apple’s mixed-reality OS. New hardware sometimes makes an appearance at WWDC as well. In 2022, Apple used the keynote to unveil the M2 chip which debuted in the 13-inch MacBook Pro and redesigned MacBook Air models.
If there isn’t a spring event, the same products above are expected to appear at WWDC, especially the mixed-reality headset.
Apple
Fall Event: September 2023
Apple always holds an event in September where it almost always launches a new iPhone. (The only exception is 2020 due to Covid-related production issues.) Here are the past few Apple Fall Event dates:
2022: Wednesday, September 7
2021: Tuesday, September 14
2020: Tuesday, September 15
2019: Tuesday, September 10
2018: Wednesday, September 12
2017: Tuesday, September 12
While there are no specific rumors about the event yet, we’re expecting to see the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and possibly a new iPhone 15 Ultra to replace the iPhone 14 Pro Max. We’re also likely to see the launch of the Apple Watch 9. And like WWDC, if Apple hasn’t yet unveiled its AR headset, the fall iPhone event is a strong contender for its debut.
Late fall Event: October/November 2023
Apple’s late fall event isn’t guaranteed to happen. In 2022, for example, there were rumors about ann October event, but Apple opted to issue press releases for the new 10th-gen iPad and M2 iPad Pro. Over the past six years, Apple has held three events, so it’s a 50 percent chance of happening this year.
- 2022: No event
- 2021: Monday, October 18
- 2020: Tuesday, October 12
- 2019: No event
- 2018: Tuesday, October 30
- 2017: No event
Apple traditionally uses its late fall event to unveil new Macs and iPads. In 2023, that would likely mean the launch of the M3 chip, which could appear in the new 24-inch iMac, iPad Pro, and MacBook Air.
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Of the big Apple events of the year, WWDC is the most reliable: In each of the past 16 Junes, like clockwork, Apple has held a big get-together for its developer partners and announced a raft of important software updates. The September iPhone launch and the March/April spring event seem almost unpredictable by comparison.
In this article, we list the major announcements (and some of the smaller titbits) you can expect to hear about at WWDC 2023 this June. Some of these–updates to the five big Apple operating systems, most obviously–are as predictable as the timing of the event. But we reckon Apple will spring a few surprises too.
WWDC 2023 will kick off on Monday, June 5 and the entire conference and its workshops will be held online. Apple will have a “special in-person experience” for some developers and students to watch the keynote live at Apple Park—but the event will be streamed live for the world to watch.
What is WWDC?
WWDC stands for the Worldwide Developers Conference and is dedicated to the third-party software developers that create apps for Apple’s platforms: iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc. Apple invites developers to participate in a series of classes, workshops, and sessions to learn about the system-wide changes coming the major software platforms in the coming year so they can update their apps.
WWDC is a week-long gathering, beginning with a keynote speech on Monday morning. It generally happens in early June, although the Covid pandemic led to a slight delay in 2020. In reality, while devs are at the heart of the event, it’s also a press event that Apple uses to announce its software plans and potentially some new Macs and other products to the world.
Apple
When is WWDC 2023?
WWDC 2023 starts on Monday, June 5 with a keynote event that will start at 10 a.m. in California. If you are wondering what time will the WWDC keynote start where you are it translates to:
- UK: at 6pm (BST)
- Europe: at 7pm (CEST)
- US: at 10am (PDT), 11am (MDT), noon (CDT), 1pm (EDT)
- Canada: at 2pm (ADT)
- India: at 10.30pm (IST)
- Singapore and China: next day at 1am
- Japan: next day at 2am (JST)
- Australia: next day at 1am (AWST), 2.30am (ACST), 3am (AEST)
- New Zealand: next day at 5am (NZST)
How to watch WWDC 2023
Apple will live stream the opening keynote for all on its website (check Apple’s events page) and elsewhere, such as on YouTube and on the Apple TV app. This means you’ll be able to watch the presentation on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and even PC.
How to get tickets to WWDC 2023
Some lucky developers will be able to watch the event live in person, but there will be a lot of competition for those tickets. Apple usually holds a ballot to give everyone who needs to be there a chance to apply for a ticket, which usually ends in mid-May. WWDC keynote tickets have been free for the past few years, but previously cost $1,599 for developers to attend and sold out very quickly. In 2022 developers were invited to watch the keynote live at Apple Park, though the event was still prerecorded.
Even without a ticket, all registered Apple developers get access to session videos, slides, and sample code throughout the week.
Apple will unveil the next generation of its operating systems at WWDC.
Apple
WWDC 2023: Software releases
WWDC is all about the software, so we can be certain that Apple will reveal details of its upcoming operating system updates for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, HomePod, and Apple Watch. Those updates will then be issued to developers as a beta to test, then a few weeks later a public beta will start. Eventually, the new software will be available for everyone to download in the fall (usually September for iOS/iPadOS/watchOS and October for macOS). Here’s what to expect:
iOS 17
The headliner of the event simply because of the sheer number of iPhone owners across the planet. If you’ve got an iPhone made within the past five years, you’ll likely be able to install the new version of iOS when it’s released in the fall of 2023.
But before then, there’s a whole beta-testing cycle to get through. iOS 17 will be announced at WWDC 2023, then released as a developer beta (for registered app developers only) almost immediately after the keynote. Developers will then be able to install the iOS beta and a few weeks later a public beta version will be made available for all users who want to try the new features. Our advice is to be cautious and prepared for serious flaws with the beta software–it might even brick your device.
Over the course of the next few months, the developer and public betas will go through a testing process where features will be tweaked, changed, fixed, and updated until we reach the finished iOS 17.0 public release, most likely in September.
iPadOS 17
The accompanying update for iPad owners, iPadOS 17 is likely to incorporate most of the new features of iOS 17 but adapted to a larger-screen interface. When Apple’s two mobile operating systems split in 2019 they were similar in most respects, but the iPad version is heading steadily into its own realm.
In 2022, Apple released iPad OS 16 a month after iOS 16, so it’s possible that the two versions don’t arrive at the same time.
macOS 14
What’s Apple got in store for its follow-up to macOS Ventura? We’ll find out at WWDC 2023.
This should be macOS version 14.0, but what is less predictable is the California landmark Apple will name the version after. So far we’ve had: Mavericks, Yosemite, El Capitan, Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, and Ventura. Prior to the California-based names Apple named 10 versions of the Mac operating system after big cats. (See every version of macOS released so far.) Could this be the year Apple makes another big change in its naming convention?
watchOS 10
The new operating system for the Apple Watch will be revealed at WWDC 2023. This is more of a niche than the iPhone, iPad, and Mac updates discussed above but could bring more health and fitness features to Apple Watch owners around the world.
Last year’s watchOS 9 update was available for those running a Series 4 or later. If you’ve got a Series 4 or later, hopefully, the same will be true of watchOS 9.
tvOS 17
The lowest-profile of the five big Apple operating systems, tvOS is the platform that runs on the Apple TV.
Probably the biggest addition in last year’s tvOS 16 update was support for Matter-compatible devices and support for more gaming controllers. What will we get this year? You’ll find out at WWDC.
The HomePod will likely be among the products getting a preview of new features coming later in 2023.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
HomePod software version 17
Apple is also likely to update the software on the HomePod and HomePod mini alongside the other operating systems. In 2022 Apple introduced HomePod Software Version 16 which didn’t bring a lot of new features at the time, but a later update: HomePod Software Version 16.3 brought temperature and humidity sensing to the HomePod mini and more. We may hear more about Apple’s plans for the HomePod during the WWDC event–especially as Apple is rumored to planning big changes to the HomePod in 2024.
WWDC 2023: Hardware releases
WWDC tends to be a software-focused event, but Apple has often found time during its WWDC keynotes to launch hardware products too. The first few iPhone revisions—iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and iPhone 4S—were all released at WWDC, and the HomePod had its unveiling at the event in 2017 as well.
However, the event has focused on Mac releases in recent years. Apple unveiled the iMac Pro in 2017 alongside updates to the iMac, MacBook, and MacBook Pro, and announced a new Mac Pro and the Pro Display XDR in June 2019. At WWDC 2020, Apple announced the transition from Intel to Apple silicon, and WWDC 2022 saw Apple launch the M2 chip in the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.
What’s in the hardware pipeline for Apple right now? Here’s what we hope to see:
Reality Pro headset
This is the big one. Apple has been rumored to launch a new AR/VR headset for years, and it is finally expected to arrive sometime in 2023, and WWDC has been floated as a possible date. With an extremely high price tag, the device is expected to be mostly geared toward developers, so WWDC would be a great opportunity for Apple to debut the new device, even if it doesn’t launch until later in the year.
The headset is rumored to look like a pair of ski goggles, with 8K displays, numerous cameras, and an external battery pack, with a price tag that could top $3,000. However, it will be one of the most important product launches in years, as Apple looks beyond the iPhone into a whole new category of wearable device.
If Apple launches its headset, a major component of the presentation will be the rumored xrOS, which stands for extended reality. Apple will outline the major features, developer tools, and strategies for the operating system, which is expected to focus on entertainment and communication.
Mac Pro
Over the years, new Mac Pro models have launched at WWDC and this year could be no different. By the time Apple takes the stage at the WWDC event, it will have been three years since it announced its plans to move from Intel to its own silicon, and the Mac Pro is the only Mac that hasn’t made the transition.
The latest Mac Pro rumors say the machine will have an M2 Ultra processor and a similar design to the current model.
Apple
15-inch MacBook Air
Apple is said to be working on a larger version of the MacBook Air with a 15-inch display and we could see it at WWDC if it doesn’t arrive before them. We don’t know exactly what the rest of the machine will bring, but we expect it to be very similar to the current Air, possibly with the addition of an M2 Pro chip.
iMac
By the time of the WWDC keynote, the 24-inch iMac will be more than two years old. A WWDC update would make sense, but the rumors are suggesting Apple is waiting for the M3 chip before it updates the iMac, so that new Mac may not launch until later in the year.
iMac Pro
When Apple launched the Mac Studio in 2022 it also discontinued the 27-inch iMac, but that doesn’t mean that the large iMac is dead. In fact, Apple may have plans to bring back the larger iMac. Read the rumors about Apple’s plans for a 27-inch iMac Pro. Unfortunately, we think we will have to wait a little longer before we see Apple unveil this new/old product though.
Further reading
We’ll update this article regularly in the run-up to WWDC, so check back from time to time to see the latest news.
For a broader view of the year’s plans, check out our guide to the new Apple products coming in 2023.
Apple today announced it will host its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in an online format from June 5 through 9, 2023…
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Sports fans old enough to remember TV sets from the 20th century that had picture-in-picture for watching two or more games at once will love this new feature that may be coming to the Apple TV app in iOS 16.5: multi-view.
According to code unearthed deep in the iOS 16.5 beta by developer Steve Moser, Apple is testing a new feature that appears to allow up to four simultaneous streams. He spotted several references to on-screen messages telling the user to “Remove a game first to add a new one,” and “Check back later for more games” among other prompts.
Apple offers picture-in-picture on the Apple TV (as well as the iPhone, iPad, and Mac), but it’s meant to let you continue watching a video while browsing the web or doing other non-video tasks. This new feature would be for watching multiple games at the same time, similar to ESPN MultiCast.
The new feature would presumably be for Apple TV+ broadcasts of MLS and MLB games, though it’s not clear if Apple will open it up to other services as well.
While the feature is in testing within Apple, it’s not yet a user-facing feature in iOS 16.5. So it’s possible that Apple holds the feature for iOS 17 to get more testing or announces it alongside a new sports venture at a later date. One of the new features in the iOS 16.5 beta is a dedicated Sports tab in the News app.
Apple's annual Worldwide Developer Conference, or WWDC, is usually held the first week of June. It has been announced for June 5 to June 9, but little other detail has been offered. Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, Greg "Joz" Joswiak, has given one hint about what the event will focus on, in a tweet punning on Swift, the name of Apple's programming language.Hoping the week of June 5 comes around Swiftly! #WWDC23 pic.twitter.com/dXzVD9fCnJ
— Greg Joswiak (@gregjoz) March 29, 2023
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Apple will provide online sessions and labs, which will allow developers to learn about the new features and software that will be announced at WWDC. There will also be a traditional Swift Student Challenge, with Apple accepting applications through April 19.
While WWDC 2023 will once again be held online, Apple is planning an all-day special event for select developers and students, which will take place at June 5 at the Apple Park campus. Attendees will be able to watch the keynote and State of the Union videos, meet some Apple employees, and attend the Apple Design Awards. Apple held a similar in-person event last year.
Current Apple Developer Program members, Apple Entrepreneur Camp alumni, prior Swift Student Challenge winners, and current Apple Developer Enterprise Program members can submit a request to attend the Apple Park event. Apple plans to select attendees by random lottery, with notifications set to go out by April 5 at 6:00 p.m.
Apple will hold a keynote event on Monday, June 5 to show off iOS 17, iPadOS 17, tvOS 17, watchOS 10, and macOS 14, plus there could be new hardware announcements. This year's event is expected to focus on the AR/VR headset that Apple has in development, and we could also see the Mac Pro and a 15-inch MacBook Air.
Prior to 2020, WWDC was an in-person event that was held at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, but even with the COVID-19 pandemic over, Apple is choosing an online-focused event. The online format allows more developers to get the WWDC experience as there are no attendance limitations.
Apple plans to provide developers with additional information in advance of WWDC 2023 through email, the Apple Developer app, and the Apple Developer website.
This article, "Apple Announces WWDC 2023 Event Taking Place June 5 to 9" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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If you yearn for the days of old Mac OS versions–we’re talking pre-OS X here–then your time has finally come. Software engineer Mihai Parparita has unveiled his latest project: Infinite Mac, which features 42(!) virtual machines that run classic versions of the Mac operating system that were released between 1984 and 2000.
The collection starts with the original Mac operating system, System 1.0, and goes all the way up to 9.0.4. Each VM runs within a browser; when you go to the Infinite Mac website and click a VM, it launches that version of the Mac operating system that’s fully operational. You’re essentially running a classic Mac OS on top of your current Mac.
Each VM includes a set of apps so you can actually create and save files. You’ll find a word processor, spreadsheet app, database program, video games, and more, though it appears that not all of the VMs have the capability of exporting the files to your “real” Mac. For example, I was able to use MacWrite in the System 1.0 VM, but I couldn’t figure out how to transfer the saved file to my MacBook Pro running macOS Ventura in my few minutes with the VM. Later VM versions, such as the ones for System 8 and System 9, have a server called The Outside World for moving files from the VM to your actual Mac desktop.
Paparita has included some nifty features with each VM. A classic Mac display frames each screen, and you can change it before you open a VM. When running a VM, the bottom menu has options to load files and switch to full-screen mode.
There’s also a valuable settings menu, where you can swap the Control and Command keys so that keyboard shortcuts used while in the VM are properly applied–for example, if you turn this option off, Command-W will not close the window within the VM, but it will close your Mac’s browser window, which means anything you’ve done in the VM is lost. The settings menu also has the ability to adjust the VM’s speed, which you might be tempted to do because the VMs can run relatively slowly. But as Paparita notes, some OS functions are timing-based, and making the VM run faster could throw off that timing and cause issues.
Paparita has a blog that details the work behind the project. If you’d like to show your appreciation for his hard work, you can donate a few bucks via GitHub Sponsors or PayPal.
If you have had a real need to run a classic Mac OS (and many of you do, based on the emails I received from the articles about Parparita’s previous System 7/Mac OS 8 and Mac OS 9 projects), this could be an option, but keep in mind that the state of the VMs always reset when you close the browser. For example, if you saved files in a VM, they will disappear when you exit the browser. But even if you don’t have a productivity purpose for these VMs, you can have fun playing Missile Command.
I would’ve finished this article sooner if it wasn’t for Mac System 1.0’s Missle Command.
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Apple Pay Later allows users to split purchases into payments. A financial analyst says it will "absolutely wallop" the Buy Now Pay Later …
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14-Inch MacBook Pro
Starting with the 10-Core M2 Pro, 512GB 14-inch MacBook Pro, this model is on sale for $1,899.00 [Amazon / B&H Photo], down from $1,999.00. At $100 off, this is actually a second-best price on this version of the MacBook Pro, as we saw a $200 discount in February for a very brief time.
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.
The only other 14-inch MacBook Pro model on sale is the 12-Core M2 Pro notebook with 1TB, and it's priced at $2,299.00 [Amazon / B&H Photo], down from $2,499.00. This is a new all-time low price on this version of the 14-inch MacBook Pro.
16-Inch MacBook Pro
For the larger display models, the 12-Core M2 Pro, 512GB 16-inch MacBook Pro is on sale for $2,299.00 [Amazon / B&H Photo], down from $2,499.00. For more storage, the 12-Core M2 Pro, 1TB 16-inch MacBook Pro is available for $2,499.00, down from $2,699.00. The 1TB model is temporarily out of stock right now on B&H Photo, but you can lock in the price today and the retailer will ship out the notebook once stock reappears within the next few weeks.
Lastly, the 12-Core M2 Max, 1TB 16-inch MacBook Pro has been discounted to $3,299.00, down from $3,499.00. All three 16-inch MacBook Pro sales represent best-ever prices for these computers.
You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook. Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.
This article, "Deals: Apple's 2023 MacBook Pro Discounted by Up to $200 in Latest Sales" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Sometimes it's handy to make a full, complete, exact copy of one of your Mac's drives - especially the Startup Disk. Due to the complexity of macOS's UNIX underpinnings and the huge number of files installed with macOS, making a disk clone can be a daunting task.There are several apps you can use to make a disk clone or to back up and restore your Mac's drives and volumes. These include, but are not limited to:Read more...
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iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models are rumored to feature a customizable Action button like the Apple Watch Ultra…
The post iPhone 15 Pro rumored to feature customizable Action button instead of mute switch appeared first on MacDailyNews.
When Apple announced the Apple Watch Ultra, I was especially interested in its introduction of an Action button, an additional bit of hardware that could be set to trigger just about anything on watchOS. I began to wonder if future regular Apple Watches might get their own Action buttons, too.
Now I’m starting to wonder if the Action button might have been a sign of a major new Apple feature to come. What if the Action button came to… the iPhone? It sounds crazy—but it might happen as soon as this fall.
But first, the Apple Watch
Before I get you excited about the iPhone possibilities here, I need to break the uncomfortable news about the Action button on the Apple Watch Ultra: It’s not living up to its potential.
This is because the Action button isn’t contextual. You can assign it to any number of different actions, but it behaves the same way in all contexts. No matter what app or watch face you’re using, the Action button just does one thing.
Apple
One of my hopes for the next edition of watchOS is that Apple makes the Action button contextual. For example, you could program it to be a single function globally, or perhaps different apps could use it in different ways–let the user decide. Support for double-taps for different use cases would also help matters.
Arbitrating between global and per-app commands is hard. Just consider the Mac, where assigning global hotkeys in the Settings app can stomp on the keyboard shortcuts in individual apps–and vice versa. But giving Apple Watch apps direct access to a hardware button (I’m looking at you, stopwatch) would be amazing.
About those iPhone buttons
Now let’s get to the iPhone. Rumor has it that Apple, in its continuing effort to remove moving parts from its products, is going to replace the volume buttons on the side of the iPhone with pressure-sensitive “buttons,” much as it did with the home button on the iPhone 7. You’d press down on the buttons, but they wouldn’t move–there would just be a Haptic Engine pulse to indicate that you’d pressed.
The venerable ring/silent switch, which has been on every iPhone since the original model, would also be replaced–with a button. I assume it would work similarly to the current switch, where there’s a specific vibration when you put the phone into silent mode. Or perhaps there would be two different haptic vibrations, one for entering silent mode and one for exiting it.
Apple
But how many people use that switch? I leave my phone muted most of the time. You can mute your phone from Control Center. What if I could… do something else with that button?
You see where I’m going with this.
My button, my actions
I want to give full credit to Federico Viticci of MacStories for walking through the new button configuration on the Connected Podcast. Once you consider the idea that Apple’s adding a button on the side of the iPhone, it’s hard not to be tempted by the idea that it should be reprogrammable. And wouldn’t that button be the equivalent of the Apple Watch’s Action button?
Consider the possibilities. At the very least, Apple could treat that button like the Apple Watch Ultra treats its button: as a trigger for a single, global shortcut that would be executed no matter where you were in the iPhone interface. Imagine mapping it to the Camera app or the flashlight feature, for instance.
It might be fun if apps had access to the button or if users could control what it did contextually. (I immediately began to imagine having it trigger a Shortcut, which could then decide what to do based on my current Focus status, the time of day, or some other variable.) But my best guess is that Apple will be conservative, at least at first, and have the new button mimic the ring/silent toggle–by default.
However, Apple has shown that it’s happy to let users experiment with different ways of interacting with Apple’s hardware and software via settings in the Accessibility section of the settings app. It wouldn’t surprise me if Apple would let users map that button to some other function via an Accessibility setting, with options like toggling the flashlight, entering a specific accessibility mode, launching an app, or running a shortcut. And if running a shortcut is an option, then the sky’s the limit.
In any event, I won’t miss the ring/silent toggle switch. And I’m excited that it might be replaced with a button that can be actually programmed to do something I want rather than being dedicated to a function I never use.
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The source claimed the Action button will replace the Ring/Silent switch that has been included on every iPhone model since 2007. They did not explain how the Action button will work, but it will presumably be customizable like it is on the Apple Watch Ultra, allowing users to map the button to various system functions for convenient access.
Apple's exact implementation remains to be seen, but here are some potential functions that could be controlled by tapping the Action button:
- Ring/Silent
- Do Not Disturb
- Flashlight
- Low Power Mode
- Light/Dark Mode
- Lock Rotation
- Show the Home Screen
- Show the Lock Screen
- Open Control Center
- Open Notification Center
- Open Camera
- Screenshot
- Screen Recording
- Run a Shortcut
- Toggle on Reachability
- Show the App Switcher
- Show the App Library
- Shazam
- VoiceOver
- Magnifier
- Background Sounds
On the Apple Watch Ultra, the Action button can be mapped to these apps and features:
- Workout
- Stopwatch
- Waypoint
- Backtrack
- Dive
- Flashlight
- Shortcut
In addition to an Action button, iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to have a singular volume button that can adjust the volume both up and down. Both buttons are expected to have a solid-state design, meaning they will not physically move when pressed and instead provide haptic feedback from additional Taptic Engines to simulate the feeling of movement, similar to the Home button on the iPhone 7 and the latest iPhone SE.
Apple will likely unveil the iPhone 15 series in September as usual. These changes are only rumored for the Pro models, with the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models still expected to have a mute switch and two volume buttons.
This article, "iPhone 15 Pro Rumored to Feature Multi-Use Action Button Instead of Mute Switch" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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The collaboration includes an ad campaign featuring model Jasmine Daniels, who appears in a Girls Don't Cry-inspired bedroom listening to Koteri's "Something I Need."
"Im really happy to work on the Beats Flex earphones because it's my wife's favorite style," said Verdy. "We've made a friends-and-family version in the past, so I'm really excited to release this special colorway to the public."
Beats Flex originally launched in late 2020 as the lowest-cost option in the Beats family. An evolution of the previous BeatsX model, the Beats Flex connect to your device wirelessly over Bluetooth, but the individual earbuds are connected by a cable that wraps behind the neck.
Inline modules along the cable house the battery, electronics, and physical controls for the earphones. Standard Beats Flex were originally priced at $49.99, but Apple increased the price to $69.99 in late 2021, likely due to supply chain issues that increased the cost of components. Occasional sales have, however, continued to drop pricing to the $50 range from time to time.
The limited-edition Girls Don't Cry Beats Flex will be available for $69.99 (£69.99 / ¥9800) starting Saturday, April 1, via Girlsdontcryshop.com and Dover Street Market locations in the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan. Verdy will also host a special retail pop-up on April 1 at Rise Above Gallery in Osaka, Japan.
This article, "Latest Beats Collaboration Features Beats Flex With Detachable Heart Charm" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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When the iPhone 15 Pro arrives later this year, it’s expected to have buttons that aren’t actually buttons. According to numerous rumors, Apple is turning to capacitive buttons that don’t move when pressed for its next flagship phone–similar to the iPhone 7’s Home button and the trackpad on MacBooks.
However, that presents a unique problem–what to do when the battery dies. Since the buttons need a Haptic Engine to operate, they also need power to function. A new report says Apple has developed a “new micro-processor” dedicated to the buttons.
According to anonymous-A.S on the MacRumors forums, the new chip will handle Super Low Energy Mode tasks such as how a dead iPhone can still make Apple Pay transactions and communicate with the Find My app. Additionally, they report that the chip will also “immediately sense capacitive button presses, holds, and even detect their own version of 3D Touch with the new volume up/down button, action (currently ringer switch) button, and power button, while the phone is dead or powered down.”
There are a few interesting rumors there. First, the mute switch is called an Action button, which implies it will have more functionality depending on the app being used, like with the Apple Watch Ultra. And they say the volume button will have 3D Touch, which they explain would work in a couple of ways: the volume will increase at a faster rate when the button is pressed harder and the volume can be controlled by swiping on the button similar to the AirPods Pro.
Anonymous-A.S says the new chip is a “definite” for the iPhone 15 Pro but is not sure if the 3D Touch features will be available at launch. According to the latest rumors, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max/Ultra will use the new capacitive buttons while the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus stick with the same clickable buttons.
Apple has created several smaller co-processors to accompany its main CPUs, including chips dedicated to motion (M), security (T), Bluetooth (H), wireless (W), and Ultra Wideband (U). The iPhone 15 Pro is also expected to introduce the A17 processor, Apple’s first 3nm chip.
To stay up to date on the latest news ahead of the release this fall, follow our iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Ultra rumor guides.
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Apple today previewed Apple Gangnam, located in Seoul’s bustling, world-famous Gangnam District. Apple Gangnam will offer an exciting…
The post Apple Gangnam opens this Friday, March 31st in South Korea appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, Elon Musk, and a group of artificial intelligence experts and industry execs are advocating for a…
The post Woz, Musk, AI experts urge pause on training of AI systems that can outperform GPT-4 appeared first on MacDailyNews.
I’m sure this sounds familiar: You’re trying to install the latest iOS release, upgrade to a new iPhone, take photos or record video, or just download that cool app everyone’s talking about, and your iPhone says the storage is full.
You’ve already deleted every app you don’t think you need, and there’s still not enough space on your iPhone. So you open Settings, tap General, then iPhone Storage, and, sure enough, your iPhone is full. Worst of all, a huge chunk of it is just listed as Other (renamed System Data in iOS 15). What’s that supposed to mean? How do you get rid of it? The Other/System Data storage sections are mysterious and confusing, and there’s no one answer that works for everyone, but hopefully, this guide will help you deal with this problem.
Latest iPhone release: iPhone SE (March 2022), iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max (September 2022); iPhone 14 Plus (October 2022)
Latest iOS release: iOS 16.4 (March 2023)
Latest iOS beta: iOS 16.5 (March 2023)
How to view your iPhone storage
To see how much storage all your apps and data are taking up on your iPhone’s storage, open the Settings app, select General, then iPhone Storage. At the top, you’ll see a bar graph showing your total iPhone storage and which types of data are filling it up. Beneath that you’ll find a list of applications on your phone and how much room they take up, both for the app itself and its stored data.
It may take several seconds for your iPhone to show the graph, as it takes time to scan and analyze its storage. Even after the chart first appears, you’ll want to wait several seconds more for it to stabilize, as the app list and storage sizes can change while your phone completes its analysis.
You’ll find your iPhone storage details a few layers deep in the Settings app.
What is Other/System Data storage, anyway?
Your iPhone Storage menu will divide that bar up top into familiar categories like Apps, Media, Photos, and Mail, but also an Other/System Data category that is sometimes very large. It’s common for System Data to be in the 5GB to 20GB range, but if it’s way over 20GB, it has probably grown out of control. You can scroll all the way down to the bottom of the app list where you will see iOS, which are the files required by the system and are usually around 10GB, and System Data, which are files other than apps and downloads that are collected by iOS. Tap on System Data to see how much space it is taking up.
The Other/System Data category is big and varied because it’s a real catch-all category. It’s comprised of system caches, logs, Siri voices (if you’ve downloaded more than one), updates, and so much more. One of the biggest culprits for Other/System Data growing out of hand is streaming lots of music and video. When you download video or music from the iTunes Store, TV app, or Music app, it’s indexed as Media. But streams have caches used to ensure smooth playback, and those are categorized as Other/System Data.
Safari’s caches can start to grow pretty large, too. And if you send tons of texts with images or video, the caches for that can start to fill up a lot of space. Your iPhone is supposed to manage these caches to keep your storage from becoming completely full, but it doesn’t always do a great job.
Clearing your Safari data might reduce the size of Other.
We discuss how to delete Other storage on a Mac and how to delete System Data on a Mac separate articles.
How to reduce the size of Other/System Data on an iPhone
You can’t get rid of Other/System Data entirely, but you can sometimes reduce its size.
First, let’s try clearing your Safari caches. Open Settings > Safari and choose Clear History and Website Data. If you have a lot of Safari tabs open on your iPhone, you might want to close most of them, too.
You might also want to change Messages to save fewer old messages. Open Settings, then Messages, and scroll down to the Message History setting. By default, Keep Messages is set to Forever, but you may want to change it to 1 Year or even 30 Days to reduce the data that the Messages app caches. Just beware that doing this will mean old messages will be deleted–so if you have any messages you want to keep find a way to back them up.
If you’re a heavy texter, your Messages app might be filling up your storage with a lot of data.
Finally, go back to iPhone Storage and look at the apps list. Most of the apps store data that is categorized as Apps, but some will keep caches that are categorized as Other/System Data. If, say, the Podcasts app is taking up a couple of gigabytes of space, it’s likely mostly cached data. Deleting the app and re-downloading it might put a dent in the Other/System Data category.
The nuclear option: Backup and Reset your iPhone
You can go through your iPhone trying to delete every little cache that could grow the size of Other/System Data storage, but if you really want to make it as small as possible, you need to back up your phone and reset it. This can take a little while. The best way to do this is to use your Mac or PC.
On a Mac running macOS 10.15 Catalina or later:
- First, connect your iPhone to your Mac with the bundled USB-C-to-Lightning cable.
- When prompted on your iPhone, tap “Trust” and enter your passcode.
- In the Finder sidebar on your Mac, select your iPhone under Locations.
- Click the General tab.
- Select “Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac.”
- To encrypt your backup data and protect it with a password, check the “Encrypt local backup” box.
- Click Back Up Now.
- Note: You can also connect your iPhone to your computer wirelessly if you set up syncing over Wi-Fi.
Foundry
On a Mac running macOS 10.14 Mojave or earlier, or a PC
On a PC or a Mac with macOS 10.14 or earlier you can use iTunes to back up your phone. After you connect your iPhone to your Mac or PC, select your iPhone by clicking the little phone icon in the upper left, and under Backups, choose “This Computer” and check the “Encrypt local backup” box to protect your backup with a password. Then click the button to Back up now.
Reset and restore
When the backup is done, disconnect your iPhone and head to Settings > General > Reset, and select Erase All Content and Settings. This will return your iPhone to an out-of-the-box state. When it restarts and it’s in the initial setup process, re-connect it to your computer with iTunes open, and follow the instructions on the screen to restore your device.
This is the longest and most involved way to reduce the size of Other/System Data storage, but it’s also the best. There’s just no way to get it any smaller than it will be after a fresh reset and restore.
The new store will be located in the central Gangnam district of Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, and in a promotional event on Wednesday, Apple set up a pop-up studio inside the new store where visitors could listen to an exclusive version of NewJean's hit song "OMG" recorded in spatial audio.
The marketing strategy of involving a K-pop band isn't new in South Korea – Samsung has a BTS edition of its Galaxy S20+ smartphone there – with such collaborations often going viral online.
As Bloomberg notes, the move is another signal that Apple is ramping up its post-pandemic offensive in the key Asian growth market. Apple Pay went live in South Korea earlier this month, and local media reports that there are plans in place to open a sixth store in Seoul this year. The capital would then have more Apple Stores than there are in Tokyo, Japan.
Apple Gangnam is Apple's first new retail store to open since Apple American Dream opened in New Jersey in December. Apple now has a retail team of nearly 800 on the ground in South Korea, according to Patrick Schuerpf, director of Apple's retail business in Asia.
This article, "Apple Treats K-Pop Fans to Spatial Audio Experience at New Gangnam Store, South Korea" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Tired of receiving robocalls on your iPhone? You're not alone. It's not just the hassle of being interrupted (maybe even infuriated) every time one comes through.Picking up, let alone interacting with, a robocall can put you in real danger of being defrauded or otherwise scammed.Read more...
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When iOS 16.3.1 arrived in February, it included a critical security fix for a WebKit vulnerability that was known to have been actively exploited. At the same time, Apple patched iPadOS (16.3.1), macOS Ventura (13.2.1), and Safari for Monterey and Big Sur (16.3.1).
Over a month later, Apple has finally updated older iPhones and iPads, too. iOS 15.7.4, which is for the iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, and iPhone SE (1st gen), and iPadOS 15.7.4, for iPad Air 2, iPad mini (4th gen), and iPod touch (7th gen), contains 16 security patches for a variety of system functions, but none are bigger than the WebKit patch from last month:
WebKit
- Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.
- Description: A type confusion issue was addressed with improved checks.
- WebKit Bugzilla: 251944/CVE-2023-23529: an anonymous researcher
Additionally, there are security updates for Calendar, Find My, and Shortcuts that are also part of iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4. There’s also a second WebKit patch:
WebKit
- Impact: A website may be able to track sensitive user information
- Description: The issue was addressed by removing origin information.
- WebKit Bugzilla: 250837/CVE-2023-27954: an anonymous researcher
With iOS 17 set to arrive this fall, it’s likely that this is one of the last iOS 15 versions Apple will release before turning off updates. To download iOS 15.7.4, head over to the Settings app, then tap General and Software Update. Tap Download and Install and follow the prompts.
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The source of this rumor is the same forum member that shared accurate details about the Dynamic Island last year before the iPhone 14 Pro was officially launched, so there is good reason to believe that the following information is reliable.
According to the anonymous source, the new microprocessor will replace Apple's current super-low energy mode that allows an iPhone to be located via Find My after it has been powered off or for up to 24 hours if its battery has been depleted, and enables Apple Pay Express Mode to be used for up to five hours after the battery has run out.
The new chip will allegedly take over these existing Bluetooth LE/Ultra Wideband functions in addition to powering the solid-state buttons – including an "action" button that replaces the mute switch – when the phone is on, off, or the battery is depleted. The microprocessor will "immediately sense capacitive button presses, holds, and even detect their own version of 3D Touch with the new volume up/down button, action button, and power button, while the phone is dead or powered down," says the tipster.
The source also claims that the new low-energy capacitive features are currently being tested with and without Taptic Engine feedback while powered off, but not while the battery is dead, however "whether this tidbit makes it to production or not is highly uncertain but IS being tested," they added.
The source claims that their "man inside" Apple has seen two functional versions of the rumored new unified volume button in testing, including one where the volume goes up/down faster depending on the amount of force used when pressed, and another where the volume can be adjusted by swiping up and down on the button with a finger. They do not know which method will be adopted for the final release, but these features are enabled by software, so this functionality may well be user-customizable.
The anonymous tipster claims that their inside source is on the Apple development team, so they do not have additional information about the design of the new models unless the physical features require software development to complement them.
As per previous rumors, solid-state capacitive buttons are expected to be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro models, with the standard iPhone 15 models retaining the same traditional button mechanism as on the iPhone 14 series. The iPhone 15 Pro is also rumored to be gaining a software-customizable button in lieu of the mute switch, with a unified volume button or "rocker" replacing the separate up/down volume buttons. For everything else we know about the new iPhone 15 series, check out our dedicated roundups using the links below.
This article, "iPhone 15 Pro Low-Energy Chip to Allow Solid-State Buttons to Work When Device is Off or Out of Battery" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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You should be backing up your computer files regularly. But cloud storage, which is widely considered the best option for this purpose, can get really expensive. Looking for an affordable alternative? Then Degoo Premium may be just the ticket. And even more so this week since they’re offering lifetime access to their 10TB plan with a limited-time discount.
Degoo Premium is one of the best cloud backup solutions on the market right now. With this offer you’ll get a massive 10TB worth of cloud-based space, they’ll protect everything you upload with 256-bit AES encryption, and you can use it across all your devices. Plus you won’t ever have to pay to renew your subscription, so it’s about as economical as cloud storage gets.
When you consider the inconvenience of losing your most important files, having a cloud backup system in place makes a lot of sense. And since you can get lifetime access to Degoo Premium’s 10TB backup plan on sale for just $99.99, there’s no good reason not to get started right now.
Degoo Premium: Lifetime 10TB Backup Plan – $99.99
Prices subject to change.
Less than a day after the release of iOS 16.4, Apple began the beta testing of iOS 16.5 with the release of the first developer beta, which should be followed by the public beta tomorrow or Thursday. We anticipate the final release of iOS 16.5 will arrive in late April or May. With WWDC about two months away, iOS 16.5 could be the last iOS 16 update before the first iOS 17 beta arrives in June.
iOS 16.5: New features
It’s unclear how many new features and changes users can expect from iOS 16.5, but we’ll update this section over time as changes are discovered. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg reports that iOS 16.5 will be “as minor as iOS 16.4” as Apple looks to save new features for iOS 16. Here’s what we know so far:
Apple News Sports tab: When you launch the Apple News app in iOS 16.5, you’ll see a new Sports tab at the bottom of the screen. It replaces the dedicated Search tab, which is now part of the Following tab. In iOS 16.4 and earlier, My Sports could be found below the For You section on the Today screen.
Siri screen recording: You’ll be able to start a screen recording by saying, “Hey Siri, start a screen recording.” Similarly, you can stop recording with, “Hey Siri, stop screen recording.”
iOS 16.5: How to install the Public Beta
The process for installing a beta has changed in iOS 16.4. Here’s how the new process works:
- Click Sign Up on the Apple Beta page and register with your Apple ID.
- Log in to the Beta Software Program.
- Click Enroll your iOS device.
- Open the Settings app, tap General, then Software Update.
- In the Beta Updates section, select the iOS Public Beta.
It may take a few moments after registering for the beta option to appear in Software Update.
iOS 16.5: How to get the Developer Beta
You’ll need to be registered as an Apple developer. Joining the Apple Developer Program costs $99 a year.
- Register for the Apple developer program at developer.apple.com.
- Open the Settings app, tap General, then Software Update.
- In the Beta Updates section, select the iOS Developer Beta.
Registered developers can choose to get the Public Beta instead by selecting iOS Public Beta in the Software Update screen. It may take a little time after registering as a developer for the option to appear in Software Updates.
Some developers have an Apple ID registered for developer access that is different from the Apple ID associated with their personal Apple account and data. To use a different Apple ID for beta access than is used throughout the rest of iOS, open Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and select the Apple ID at the bottom of the screen.
iOS 16.5: Risks and precautions
Note first of all that betas are test versions of upcoming software. They are by definition unfinished, and while they should include most or all of the features in the finished product, there will be cosmetic differences and, inevitably, some glitches and problems that will need to be fixed. The glitches and problems are why Apple bothers to beta-test iOS in the first place.
In other words, don’t expect a perfect user experience. In particular, don’t expect existing apps (including ones that you may rely on) to work perfectly with the new version. In extreme cases you may even find that your device is bricked by the beta, and cannot be used until the next beta comes along and hopefully fixes the problem. It’s not uncommon for early beta software to exhibit problems like excessive battery drain, too.
The closer we get to the final launch and iOS version, the more polished and feature-complete we can expect the available betas to become. The counter to that, of course, is there will be less time left to wait for the official launch, so you won’t be gaining so much by installing a beta.
Assuming you decide to go ahead, we can’t stress enough how important it is to back up your iPhone before you install an iOS beta, or better still, use a secondary device rather than your main iPhone. You won’t lose everything if something goes wrong while the beta is installing, and you’ll be able to go back to the last version should you find that you don’t like the new software after all, or that it’s too buggy.
A MacBook Air with M2 processorRead more...
Optimized for both Apple silicon Macs and Intel Macs, the updated AutoCAD software will bring performance improvements to those who have M1 and M2 series Macs. Autodesk says that the native Apple silicon support can increase performance by up to two times compared to the non-optimized 2023 software.
"AutoCAD for Mac 2024 and AutoCAD LT for Mac 2024 deliver incredible, new performance improvements with the ability to run AutoCAD natively on Apple silicon," says Dania El Hassan, Director of Product Management for AutoCAD, Autodesk. "It's exciting to see how customers can now take full advantage of the latest hardware and M-series chips for faster ways to work."Other new features include Markup Import, Markup Assist, Smart Blocks Placement, Trace Updates, and more, with full details available on the Autodesk website.
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The Matter-equipped Eve Energy is available in North America, Europe, and the UK starting today. The Matter-enabled Eve Motion and Eve Door and Window are set to launch in stores on April 17.
April 17 is also the official launch date of Eve's Matter firmware update, which will be widely available for the first time. It has been available to those who signed up to beta test, but the public launch is coming in April. Existing Eve Energy, Eve Door and Window, and Eve Motion Sensor devices will be able to be upgraded to Matter through the Eve app for the iPhone and the iPad.
Matter is a new smart home standard that's being used by Apple, Google, Samsung, Amazon, and others. It allows for interoperability between smart home platforms, so a Matter-enabled Eve Energy Smart Plug can, for example, be added to an Apple HomeKit setup and a Google Home setup at the same time so long as the appropriate Matter hubs are available.
With multi-platform support, Matter-enabled accessories can be controlled with iPhones and Android phones, something not possible with HomeKit alone.
The Eve Energy with Matter can be purchased from the Eve website or from Amazon for $40, and it will soon come to Apple retail stores.
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Apple News gets a dedicated Sports tab in iOS 16.5Read more...
Apple Pay Later, a Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) option for customers shopping with a retailer that accepts Apple Pay, was announced…
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This $399 discount on the nano-texture Apple Studio Display is the steepest we've ever seen and is available only with the basic tilt-adjustable stand.
While the standard Apple Studio Display comes with an anti-reflective coating to reduce glare, the nano-texture glass option scatters light to minimize glare even more. Apple says the option, which is normally a $300 upgrade over the standard glass, is ideal for spaces with bright lighting sources.
For more discounts, check out our Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
This article, "Deals: Apple Studio Display With Nano-Texture Glass Drops to Record-Low $1,499.99 at Amazon ($399 Off)" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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It can be easy to forget about Apple TV when Apple drops a bunch of updates for its devices all at once, but this one’s worth checking out for one cool new feature.
Along with the usual stability and performance improvements, the tvOS 16.4 update adds a new accessibility feature called Dim Flashing Lights, which will automatically dim the display of video when flashes of light or strobe effects are detected. Bright flashing lights can trigger seizures and migraines, or just create general discomfort. The feature is also available for iPhones in iOS 16.4 and iPads in iPadOS 16.4.
To turn on the feature, head over to the Settings app, then Accessibility > Motion and turn on Dim Flashing Lights. It’s not clear how the feature detects “repeated flashing or strobing lights” or how much the screen dims. In our testing of “The Incredibles 2,” our screen didn’t appear to get any darker during the scenes with flashing lights.
The tvOS 16.4 update also includes more than a dozen security patches for several system functions, including Podcasts, WebKit, and Bluetooth. You can get the new update in the System tab in the Settings app. The update is for all Apple TV 4K models and Apple TV HD.
After several weeks as a preorder, Apple Music Classical is now available as a free app for Apple Music subscribers. Users can download it in the App Store as a standalone app dedicated to “the complex data structure of classical music.”
The interface is similar to the main Apple Music app, with four bottom tabs for Listen Now, Browse, Library, and Search tabs. The Browse section is divided into three main categories—Catalog, Playlists, and Instruments—which are further segmented into sections for composers, soloists, time period, mood, and much more. Each individual instrument also gets its own section of the app, with the latest releases, popular artists and works, and a full description of its importance to the genre.
In a support document, Apple explains why classical music needs a separate app: “Classical music is different. It has longer and more detailed titles, multiple artists for each work, and hundreds of recordings of well-known pieces. The Apple Music Classical app is designed to support the complex data structure of classical music.”
However, while the app is extremely fast and full of rich details, there are several Apple Music features that aren’t available in Apple Music Classical:
- It doesn’t support Apple Music Voice: Subscribers to the cheapest Apple Music subscription will need to upgrade their plan to Student or Individual to get access.
- You can’t shuffle songs: The long-standing shuffle feature isn’t available in the Apple Music Classical app.
- The full libraries don’t sync: While albums, playlists, and tracks added to your Apple Music Classical library will sync to the main Apple Music app, recordings, works, and composers can only be accessed in Apple Music Classical.
- It’s online only: You can’t download music in the Apple Music Classical app, though classical tracks, albums, and playlists can be downloaded using the main Apple Music app.
- The library is limited to classical music: The Apple Music Classical library will only show songs from the classical music genre, and you’ll need to hop over to the main Apple Music app to play anything else.
- It’s not available everywhere: While Apple Music is available in most countries that offer Apple Music, a few are notable excluded: China, Japan, Korea, Russia, Taiwan, and Turkey
- It’s iPhone-only: At launch, the only way to get Apple Music Classical is on the iPhone. So iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Android users are out of luck (though you can install the iPhone app on the iPad). However, Apple does say an Android version is coming soon.
Foundry
An Apple Music subscription costs $10.99/£10.99 a month for an individual or $16.99/£16.99 a month for a family. The student plan is $5.99/£5.99. Apple also offers several ways to get Apple Music for free.
Just hours after the release of macOS 13.3, Apple started the countdown to the next version with the release of the first macOS Ventura 13.4 beta. As always, the first release is only for developers, but a public beta should follow within a day or two.
macOS Ventura 13.4 beta: New features
We’re not sure what’s in the 13.4 beta yet, but we aren’t waiting for any major new features. Of note, Apple Music Classical arrived for the iPhone on Tuesday without a Mac companion app, so it’s possible it arrives in macOS 13.4. Additionally, macOS 13.4 could contain the redesigned TV app with a sidebar that was previously rumored to arrive in macOS 13.3.
macOS Ventura 13.4: Release date
It usually takes about around six weeks for Apple to properly test new versions of its operating systems, but that timeline can change.
How to install the macOS Ventura 13.4 public beta
While Apple changed the beta process in iPhones and Macs to rely solely on Apple IDs, you still need to install a new profile on your Mac. As always, we recommend against running betas on your main machine for work since there could be bugs that cause serious issues.
- Click Sign Up on the Apple Beta page and register with your Apple ID.
- Log in to the Beta Software Program.
- Click Enroll your Mac. (If you signed up for a previous version’s beta last year you may need to uninstall the profile for that and then re-enroll for the new one.)
- Go to beta.apple.com/profile on your Mac.
- Download and install the Beta Access Utility.
- Head over to Software Update in System Settings to install the update.
- Restart your Mac
Your Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV each just got even more secure - as long as you've updated to the latest operating systems…
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Earlier this month, Apple TV+ revealed the trailer and 12 innovative artists featured in upcoming eight-part series “My Kind of Country”…
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Using this command will cause the iPhone's screen to be automatically video recorded until you tap in to turn it off or activate Siri and say "Stop the screen recording."
Note that the wording of the screen recording command needs to be fairly specific as something like "take a screen recording" results in a screenshot rather than the video recording function. Siri has been able to take a standard screenshot for quite some time, but the screen recording function is definitely new in this beta.
In prior versions of iOS, when you ask Siri to start a screen recording, the voice assistant does a web search or says you have no such app installed.
iOS 16.5 was provided to developers today and it should be coming to public beta testers later this week. Aside from the Siri screen recording feature, Apple has also added a Sports tab in the Apple News app. No other new additions have been found as of yet.
This article, "Siri Can Start a Screen Recording in iOS 16.5 Beta 1" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Apple has positioned the Sports tab in Apple News right in the middle of the bottom navigation bar, putting it between Today and News+ on the left, and Audio and Following on the right. To make room for the Sports tab, Apple has combined the Following and Search tabs into one tab rather than making them separate actions.
The Sports tab facilitates the picking of favorite teams for personalized news, a feature that was already available in the prior version of Apple News without a dedicated tab.
A tab specifically for sports content comes as Apple is aiming to lure sports enthusiasts to its ecosystem and Apple TV+. Apple has inked deals with Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer for exclusive content, and sports content has been more deeply integrated with the iPhone through features like Live Activities for following games in real time from the iPhone Lock Screen.
This article, "Apple News App Gains Sports Tab in First iOS 16.5 Beta" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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“Shrinking,” starring Harrison Ford and Jason Segel, follows a grieving therapist (Segel) who starts to break the rules and tell his clients…
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Apple already generates notable high-margin advertising sales on its devices, but it has significant opportunities to continue growing…
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Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and after the appropriate profile is installed, with the betas available through the Software Update mechanism in System Settings.
There is no word yet on what's included in macOS Ventura 13.4, but we'll update this article if anything new is discovered.
This article, "Apple Seeds First Beta of macOS Ventura 13.4 to Developers" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Registered developers can opt in to the betas by opening up the Settings app, going to Software Update, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option and toggling on the iOS 16 Developer Beta. Note that an Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.
We don't yet know what's included in the betas, but Apple has delivered many of the promised features that were announced when iOS 16 was first unveiled. We are still waiting on the Apple Card Savings account and Apple Pay Later, a feature that Apple CEO Tim Cook recently said was coming "soon."
When we learn what's included in the update, we'll share details.
This article, "Apple Seeds First Betas of iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.5" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Registered developers are able to download the tvOS 16.5 update by downloading a profile on the Apple TV using Xcode.
tvOS updates are usually minor, focusing on internal bug fixes and improvements rather than notable outward-facing changes. There is no word as of yet what's included in the tvOS 16.5 update, but we'll update this article if we find anything new.
Apple shares some information on tvOS releases in its tvOS support document, which is updated after each tvOS launch.
Though we don't often know what's new in tvOS during the beta testing process, we let MacRumors readers know when new updates are available so those who are developers can download it upon release.
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To install the watchOS 9.5 update, developers will need to download the configuration profile from the Apple Developer Center.
Once installed, watchOS 9.5 can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software update. To update to new software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life, it has to be placed on the charger, and it will need to be in range of the iPhone it is paired with.
We don't know what's included in the watchOS 9.5 update as of now, but we'll update this article if anything notable is found in the beta.
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Beyond HomeKit Secure Video, the Doorbell G4 offers a wide range of features and capabilities, including 1080p video recording, a 162-degree wide-angle lens, two-way audio communication, motion detection, night vision capabilities, weather resistance, support for microSD cards up to 512GB, and more.
Priced at $119.99, the Doorbell G4 comes with a chime repeater speaker, USB-A to USB-C cable, 20-degree wedge, Philips head screwdriver, six AA batteries, two wall screws and anchors, and two wedge screws.
Design
The Aqara Video Doorbell G4 has a sleek and modern design with a Black or Space Gray-like "Shadow" finish. The large circle at the top of the doorbell contains the 1080p camera, an LED status light, a motion sensor that can detect movement within a five-meter range, and a microphone for two-way audio communication. The button at the bottom is illuminated by an LED around its edge and satisfyingly clicks when pressed. A small speaker for audio output and a sprung screw that releases the backplate are located on the sides.
Inside, there is space for six AA batteries, wires for continuous direct power, and a small button that triggers the anti-tamper alarm. The back of the doorbell is adhesive, meaning you can avoid damaging walls with screws if you are happy to rely on it, and has two screw holes for more secure attachment. You can also use the optional angled mounting bracket if you want to get a better framed image of anyone standing directly in front of your door.
The chime repeater module's design matches the Doorbell G4, adding an LED indicator, a microSD card slot, a USB-C port for charging, and a Menu bottom. Pressing this button toggles the bell noise on and off, while holding it down for longer can reset network settings, or reset to factory settings.
The doorbell is made of durable plastic and Aqara says that it has an IPX3 rating, which should mean that it can stand up to all but the most extreme weather conditions. That being said, I am not sure that the device would be able to withstand significant external force. While this isn't an issue for most installations, if it fell, I would not be surprised if it broke entirely. This lightweight construction is also evident with the chime, which lacks substantial internal components.
Moreover, if the chime did break and become unusable, purchasing a new one is not an option because the G4 and the chime are pre-paired. The chime links to HomeKit and the 2.4GHz frequency of your home Wi-Fi network, rather than the doorbell itself. The doorbell connects to a unique Wi-Fi frequency generated by the repeater, which can improve overall reliability.
Set Up
The process of adding the Doorbell G4 to the Aqara app and HomeKit is essentially the same as with any other Aqara device. Since it's a WiFi device rather than a Zigbee child device, you do not need to connect it to a hub, meaning that the process is effectively the same as adding an Aqara hub or camera accessory.
After installing the six AA batteries and ensuring that the chime repeater is powered, you need to open the Aqara app and tap "Add Accessory." The app then guides you through the setup process, which is relatively straightforward. It will also update the device's firmware if necessary during this process.
You have the option of adding the Doorbell G4 to Apple's Home app and using HomeKit Secure video either by scanning the HomeKit code on the repeater or by following the setup process within the Aqara app. While the Home app has basic video recording options, the Aqara app provides a wide range of options. You can customize settings such as motion sensing, video resolution, the LED indicator, and more to meet your specific needs. Once the setup process is complete, you can use the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 with Apple HomeKit to monitor your door, receive notifications, and create automations.
Functionality
The Doorbell G4 has a 16:9 field of view, so it may not capture things like packages left on a porch unless the it can be set back quite a bit. This may be an issue for some users who need a square view similar to many other video doorbell cameras. Even so, the 16:9 view is still good for capturing a wider view.
Notifications and integration with the Apple TV and HomePod work perfectly, sounding off a chime when pressed and immediately showing the video feed on a TV. Native Apple Home features like facial recognition, activity zones, automations, and motion detection also work very well, but Aqara discourages use of the motion sensor for an extended period if you plan to use battery power alone.
The doorbell's speaker is not particularly clear, but it serves its purpose and this is normal for products in this category. The repeater can get very loud and you can set your preferred volume in the Aqara app.
HomeKit Secure Video does not record all of the time, so if this is your planned use-case, you will need to use Aqara's app, which also enables additional facial recognition and local storage options. The Doorbell G4 will also support Matter when the specification for cameras is released.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 is a richly featured smart doorbell with excellent HomeKit integration. The Home app, automations, facial recognition, and notifications work flawlessly with the doorbell. For those who want a smart doorbell but are hesitant to set up a wired connection, the G4 is also an ideal solution, especially as it is the only battery-operated HomeKit Security Video smart doorbell on the market.
Personally, I would have preferred the doorbell to have a more square field-of-view so that it can more easily capture deliveries that are left outside, rather than its 16:9 framing that can sometimes cut off the bottom of the frame compared to other smart doorbells. I also would have appreciated it if the doorbell was rechargeable via USB-C rather than using AA batteries, especially since the six AA batteries only last around four months.
With options for battery operations or wired power, multiple mounting possibilities, and dozens of software settings, the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 is surprisingly versatile. Its sleek design, seamless HomeKit Secure Video support, and reliable operation make the doorbell a great choice for anyone in the Apple ecosystem looking to monitor their front door.
How to Buy
Priced at $119.99, the Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 is available from Amazon in both North America and Europe, as well as via selected Aqara retailers worldwide.
Note: Aqara provided MacRumors with a Video Doorbell G4 for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.
This article, "Review: Aqara's Video Doorbell G4 Offers HomeKit Secure Video in a Sleek Design" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Apple Pay Later, a buy now,-pay later interest-free service announced at WWDC in June 2022, finally began rolling out today, but for the time being, will be open only to the lucky few. And we mean lucky in the literal sense, because Apple says the first people allowed to use the service have been selected at random.
In a press release, the company says that starting March 28, it “will begin inviting select users to access a pre-release version of Apple Pay Later, with plans to offer it to all eligible users in the coming months.” Select can mean a lot of things (and implies some form of criteria) but in the small print, it clarifies that invitations will be sent to “randomly selected users.” In fact, we suspect that both are true to some extent. It would make sense for Apple to randomly pick invitees from a pool of those who pre-qualify according to a variety of criteria, potentially including past financial activities and/or credit rating.
One of the qualifying criteria, at any rate, is that you must be 18 or older to use it (19 in Alabama). Another is that you must be a U.S. citizen or resident since Apple is launching the service in its home territory only at first. (Though not in all 50 states: Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and the U.S. territories are all currently excluded.) We don’t know when the service will spread to the remaining states or to other countries, if at all, nor indeed when it will graduate from “pre-release” to full release. Apple only says it “plans to offer it to all eligible users in the coming months.”
Beyond these trivial details, however, there’s much about the service to intrigue. It’s a simply structured loan service that splits the cost of purchases into four equal payments: the first must be paid immediately, and the remaining three at two-week intervals. That’s the initial structure, anyway. Bloomberg reports that a longer-term Apple Pay Monthly plan is in the works as well.
The service is not limited to the purchase of Apple products, but there is a long list of items that are forbidden, including gambling, cryptocurrency, pornography, tobacco, and gift cards. This includes a blanket ban on “Any goods or services deemed unacceptable by us.”
As long as the payments are made on time, there are no interest or fees at the consumer end. If payments are missed, however, Apple will be handling the financing itself under a new Apple Financing LLC rather than working with partners such as Goldman Sachs, which handles the Apple Card.
Apple has published a support document explaining how to apply for and use Apple Pay Later, but unless Tim Cook sends you a golden ticket, you won’t be able to try the service out for yourself until later this year. Which for reasons of financial prudence might not be a bad thing.
Announced at the iPhone X event in 2017, AirPower was a wireless charging mat designed to charge an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods case simultaneously, regardless of each device's position on the mat. Apple said the accessory would be available in 2018, but it never launched and was ultimately cancelled in a rare move by Apple.
"After much effort, we've concluded AirPower will not achieve our high standards and we have cancelled the project," said Apple's former hardware engineering chief Dan Riccio, in a statement shared on March 29, 2019. "We continue to believe that the future is wireless and are committed to push the wireless experience forward."
Apple never provided a specific reason for the cancellation, but it is believed that the overlapping charging coils inside the AirPower led to overheating.
In his newsletter last October, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said he still believes that an AirPower-like accessory will "eventually come to fruition," but it might be years away. In the meantime, the only multi-device charging mat sold by Apple is the MagSafe Duo Charger, which only works with two devices at once and has fixed charging positioning.
This article, "AirPower Cancelled Four Years Ago, But Remains on Apple's Long-Term Roadmap" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Apple’s newest high-end laptop brings more speed with the M2 Pro processor and Wi-Fi 6E in the same stunning design, and today it’s cheaper than ever. Amazon is selling the 14-inch MacBook Pro with a 12-core M2 Pro processor and 1TB of storage and the 16-inch model with a 12-core M2 Pro processor and 512GB of storage for $2,299, a savings of $200 on either model and the lowest price we’ve seen so far.
With either option, you get a 12-core M2 processor with a 19-core GU (versus a 10‑core CPU and 16‑core GPU on the entry-level 14-inch model), which is about 15 percent faster than its M1 predecessor. And of course, they also have a stunning 14.2-inch or 16.2-inch ProMotion display, an excellent keyboard, and an array of ports, including three Thunderbolt ports, an SD card reader, and an upgraded HDMI 2.1 port for connecting higher-resolution displays. Also new this year are Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 so your machine will be as future-proof as it can get.
In our 4.5-star review of the 16-inch M2 Pro MacBook Pro, we called it “an upgrade-worthy release” and concluded that “your money will absolutely be well spent.” And at this price, it’s even better.
Apple today introduced Apple Pay Later in the U.S. Designed with users’ financial health in mind, Apple Pay Later allows users to split…
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Apple acquired a startup specializing in AI-based video compression earlier this year, it has emerged, but it isn’t yet clear how the company plans to use the technology.
As is generally the case when Apple makes an acquisition, there has been no official announcement from Cupertino, nor have the terms of the deal been disclosed. In this case, however, a co-founder at the acquired firm, WaveOne, wrote about the acquisition on LinkedIn, in a post that TechCrunch discovered and reported on this week:
“Last week we finalized the sale of the company to Apple. We started our journey at WaveOne, realizing that machine learning and deep learning video technology could potentially change the world. Apple saw this potential and took the opportunity to add it to their technology portfolio.”
Aside from the LinkedIn announcement, which evidently didn’t make much of a splash when it was originally posted, TechCrunch has also spotted that several former WaveOne employees now work on machine learning at Apple. Despite a lack of official comment from Apple itself, the cat is very much out of the bag.
In a profile of WaveOne back in 2020, TechCrunch explained how the company was using machine-learning hardware like Apple’s Neural Engine to accelerate and streamline video compression on mobile devices.
What we don’t know for sure is how Apple sees the acquisition playing into its long-term strategy, although there are obvious ways the company could benefit. AI is an area of growing importance within the tech sector, but most companies are focusing on (or talking about focusing on) creative tools along the lines of ChatGPT, and improved smart assistants. WaveOne’s work, meanwhile, is on the machine learning side and focuses on pragmatic solutions to specific problems. As TechCrunch explains, WaveOne’s flagship invention was a “content-aware” method for analyzing video files and learning the best way to compress them–prioritizing faces at the expense of boring background elements, for example.
As useful as it is, that’s hardly likely to feed into developments to Siri, or to help pave the way to a ChatGPT competitor. But optimizing Apple’s TV+ streaming service by reducing its data by just a few percent could lead to major cost savings or improvements to resolution or framerates.
Apple TV+ this week announced that Leona Lewis performs the new original theme song “One Step Closer,” written by Diane Warren, in "Jane.”
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Apple TV+ on Monday announced “The Savant,” a new, eight-episode limited series starring Academy Award winner Jessica Chastain …
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As tensions between Beijing and Washington continue to rise, Tim Cook touted Apple’s "symbiotic relationship" with CCP-controlled China …
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