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2024-10-28 23:50:02

iOS 18.1 Features: Everything New in iOS 18.1
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iOS 18.1 is the first major update to iOS 18, and it brings a slew of new features including Apple Intelligence, phone call recording, and more, plus bug fixes. This guide highlights everything that's new in iOS 18.1. Apple Intelligence iOS 18.1 includes the first ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features for the iPhone 15 Pro models and the iPhone 16 lineup. It will take some time for Apple to roll out all of the ‌Apple Intelligence‌ capabilities, but a handful are available now. Writing Tools - Writing Tools lets you proofread, summarize, and rewrite text throughout the operating system. Siri - Siri has a new look, offers Apple device product knowledge, there's a Type to ‌Siri‌ feature, and ‌Siri‌ is able to maintain contexts between requests and understand when you stumble over your words. Smart Replies - In Mail and Messages, Apple can suggest replies to incoming messages. Summaries - ‌Apple Intelligence‌ can summarize email messages and notifications so you can see what's important at a glance. You can also get summaries of transcriptions in the Notes app, and websites in Safari. Photos - Memory Maker lets you create custom slideshows with just a description, natural language search is supported, and there's a Clean Up feature for removing unwanted objects from images. Focus - A Reduce Interruptions Focus Mode only shows you important notifications while filtering out everything else. Phone App iOS 18.1 supports recording your phone calls and getting transcriptions from the calls. Tapping on the upper left hand record button after placing a call initiates a recording, and all participants are notified that the call is being recorded. Calls are saved to the Notes app, and the Notes app is able to generate a transcription. Camera Spatial photo capture has been added to the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max, and it joins the existing spatial video capture feature in a new Spatial camera mode. Spatial photo capture has been an ‌iPhone 16‌ feature since launch. For ‌iPhone 16‌ models, Camera Control now has an option to swap over to the front-facing TrueDepth camera with press and swipe gestures. If you hold down the Camera Control button with a light press, you will also now see a bar underneath the adjustment options. AirPods Pro 2 If you have AirPods Pro 2, iOS 18.1 adds a new set of Hearing Health features. You can do a built-in hearing test, identifying tones to check for hearing loss. Should hearing loss be detected, there is an option to use the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 as a hearing aid to boost conversations and other sounds around you. Apple also has an option to tweak music, videos, and calls based on your hearing test (if loss is detected), and there is a hearing protection feature for all users that minimizes exposure to loud environmental noises across all listening modes. Control Center There are new connectivity controls in Control Center for Satellite and AirDrop, allowing these buttons to be added to Control Center individually. Previously, the toggles were only available in the all-in-one connectivity control. Apple has also added new Measure and Level controls to the Control Center. Measure opens up the Measure app, while Level opens up the Measure app to the included Level feature. Apple Music Apple Music now has an option to share ‌Apple Music‌ songs directly on TikTok. To do so, tap on Share Song and then choose TikTok from the list of apps. RCS Business Messaging You can text with businesses that use Apple's Business Messaging feature over RCS. Wallet App In the Wallet app, if you have an Apple Card and your Daily Cash goes to a savings account, you'll no longer see the savings account balance on the main ‌Apple Card‌ screen. Instead, you can tap on the savings button to get your current account balance. App Store App Store search now supports natural language to make it easier to find exactly what you're looking for. Game Center You can send Game Center friend invites directly from the Contacts app and Friends Suggestions, with receivers able to see the invites in their inbox in Settings. Bug Fixes There are several bug fixes in iOS 18.1. Unplayed Podcasts episodes will no longer be marked as played. Videos recorded at 4K 60 fps and viewed in the Photos app will no longer stutter when scrubbing through the video. A bug that could cause digital car keys not to start or unlock a vehicle with passive unlocking after restoring from a backup or transferring from another iPhone has been fixed. ‌iPhone 16‌ and ‌iPhone 16‌ models should no longer unexpectedly restart. Security Updates iOS 18.1 addresses over 20 security vulnerabilities, which means it's a good idea to update as soon as you can. A full list of the vulnerabilities fixed can be found on Apple's website, but it includes updates for image processing, Safari downloads, Safari private browsing, Shortcuts, ‌Siri‌ and Spotlight. Read More For more detail on the ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features in iOS 18.1, we have a dedicated guide. Our ‌iOS 18‌ roundup has a list of all of the features in the iOS 18 update.Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18This article, "iOS 18.1 Features: Everything New in iOS 18.1" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-18-1-features/

2024-10-25 10:30:01

iOS 18.1: How to Record and Transcribe Phone Calls
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From business meetings to family memories, there are countless reasons to record a phone call, but until now, iPhone users have had to rely on third-party apps or complex workarounds. That changes on October 28 with the release of iOS 18.1, which introduces native call recording and transcription powered by Apple Intelligence. Apple's new Phone app feature not only records conversations but automatically creates searchable transcripts and AI-generated summaries, all while maintaining Apple's commitment to privacy and transparency. When you start recording, all participants automatically hear an announcement, ensuring everyone knows they're being recorded. A visible indicator also remains on screen throughout the call for as long as the recording continues. To further protect user privacy, all recordings are stored locally in the Notes app with end-to-end encryption, and the new Apple Intelligence-powered transcription happens entirely on your device, meaning conversations never leave your iPhone. Here's how to make your first phone call recording. Recording a Phone Call Start or answer a phone call. Tap the record button (the waveform icon) in the top-left corner of the call screen. An automated voice will notify all participants that recording has begun. The recording will automatically save to the Notes app when the call ends or when you stop the recording. Finding and Managing Phone Call Recordings Once saved, recordings appear in the Notes app as audio files with attached transcripts. Tap any recording to access a range of options: You can play back the audio, read the full transcript, view an AI-generated summary of the conversation, or share and delete recordings as needed. Legal Considerations While iOS 18.1 makes recording calls easier than ever, it's important to understand your legal obligations. Although Apple's automated announcement helps ensure transparency, you should familiarize yourself with local recording laws. Regardless, it's always best to get explicit verbal consent before the start of any recorded conversation. Phone call recording and transcription features will be available on compatible iPhone models when iOS 18.1 is released on Monday, October 28.This article, "iOS 18.1: How to Record and Transcribe Phone Calls" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/ios-record-your-phone-calls/

2024-10-23 19:50:01

Testing the Image Playground, Genmoji and Siri ChatGPT Integration in iOS 18.2
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With iOS 18.2, Apple has introduced some of the most exciting Apple Intelligence features, including Image Playground, Genmoji, Image Wand, ChatGPT integration with Siri, and more. For those who aren't able to install iOS 18.2 yet, we did an overview of everything new so you can get an idea of what to expect as the beta testing process continues. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Image Playground is available as a dedicated app, but you can also use the features right in Messages. With Image Playground, you can write a prompt and get a cartoon-like image in return. You can build on your creations by adding different categories and sections, and you can get images modeled after you and your friends. Images that you have made to look like you or a friend look fairly spot on, and it's a fun version of things like Bitmoji from other social networks. There's also an Image Wand feature in the Notes app that lets you circle a word or a blank space to generate an image that goes with what you've written. On the iPad, you can draw a rough sketch and have Image Wand whip up something better. Genmoji is similar to Image Playground, but it's for generating custom emoji characters. If you've ever wanted an emoji that's not available, Genmoji solves that problem. You can make up whatever you want and use it just like an emoji. ChatGPT integration isn't on by default, but once you enable it, you can send any ‌Siri‌ request over to ChatGPT instead. ChatGPT can generate writing from scratch, create photorealistic images, and answer any of your queries that ‌Siri‌ can't. Information from ChatGPT is relayed through ‌Siri‌, and no account is required. Visual Intelligence is for iPhone 16 users. It uses the Camera Control button to identify objects and places around you. It'll tell you what it sees, and if you point it at a place like a restaurant, you can see things like ratings and hours. More information on the specific Apple Intelligence features included in the beta can be found in our launch post, and we'll have an article coming soon on all of the other changes in the iOS 18.2 update. As of right now, iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 are limited to developers, and the betas are only available for Apple Intelligence devices. A public beta will come at some point in the future. Note that Apple Intelligence is still a beta, and Apple is working on improving it. There can be unexpected results with Image Playground and Genmoji, but Apple is taking feedback and will be making changes over time.Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18This article, "Testing the Image Playground, Genmoji and Siri ChatGPT Integration in iOS 18.2" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/23/ios-18-2-hands-on/

2024-10-23 19:20:01

iOS 18.2 Adds 'Default' Section for Managing Your Preferred Apps
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iOS 18.2 includes a new "Default Apps" section that can be found in the Settings app, which can be used to manage your default apps for the iPhone. This is a feature that Apple promised would be coming to the European Union, but it is actually available worldwide in the latest beta. There are Default App settings for Email, Messaging, Calling, Call Filtering, Browser App, Passwords and Codes, and Keyboards. In the United States, you can use the Default App interface to choose your preferred Email, Call Filtering, Browser, and Passwords, and Keyboards. The sections for Messaging and Calling don't list anything other than Messages, FaceTime, and Phone, respectively, but you can set ‌FaceTime‌ or Phone as the default calling app. EU users should have more options for choosing non-Apple apps as their default, as Apple is required to allow ‌iPhone‌ users in Europe to swap out their messaging and phone apps, in addition to the others. EU users are also able to delete core apps like Messages, App Store, Safari, Camera, and Photos. Eventually the Default Apps section should also include contactless payments and other settings.This article, "iOS 18.2 Adds 'Default' Section for Managing Your Preferred Apps" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/23/ios-18-2-default-apps-section/

2024-10-23 19:05:03

iOS 18.2 Lets EU Users Delete App Store, Safari, Messages, Camera and Photos
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With iOS 18.2, iPhone users in the European Union can fully delete a number of core apps, including the App Store, Safari, Messages, Camera, and Photos. Apple said in August that it planned to make additional changes to its Digital Markets Act compliance in the European Union, and one update included the option for EU users to remove system apps. Almost all apps can now be deleted in the EU, with the exception of the Phone app and the Settings app. Apps that are removed, such as the ‌App Store‌, can be re-downloaded using an "App Installation" section in the Settings app. In the U.S. and other countries, core apps like ‌Photos‌ and the ‌App Store‌ can be hidden but not entirely removed from the ‌iPhone‌ and replaced with third-party apps.Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18Tag: European UnionRelated Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18This article, "iOS 18.2 Lets EU Users Delete App Store, Safari, Messages, Camera and Photos" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/23/ios-18-2-eu-delete-apps/

2024-10-23 18:30:02

Hands-On With the New iPad Mini 7
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Today is the official launch date of the iPad mini 7, which is the first new iPad mini that we've had since 2021. It has a much faster chip and a few other tweaks, so we thought we'd check it out and do a quick review. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Apple didn't change the design of the ‌iPad mini 7‌ compared to the ‌iPad mini‌ 6, and it's tough to tell them apart from the outside. The colors are more muted this time around, with Apple eliminating pink and adding blue, and the text on the back now says "‌iPad mini‌" instead of "iPad." Other than that, the ‌iPad mini‌ 6 and ‌iPad mini 7‌ are identical. Inside, there's a faster A17 Pro chip that's a notable improvement over the A15 Bionic, but depending on what you do with your ‌iPad mini‌, you might not notice huge gains in performance. If you play games, it's going to be a lot faster, plus there's now support for ray tracing and mesh shading, features that enable console-quality games like Death Stranding. The major draw of the A17 Pro is support for Apple Intelligence, and the first AI features are set to come out next week in iPadOS 18.1. Right now, Apple Intelligence is limited to Writing Tools, a new look for Siri, summaries, and smart replies, but Genmoji, Image Playground, ChatGPT integration, and more will be coming in iPadOS 18.2, an update Apple started testing just today. At $499, the ‌iPad mini 7‌ is only $100 less than the more capable and larger M2 iPad Air, so it's kind of a niche product. It's not worth choosing an ‌iPad mini‌ over an ‌iPad Air‌ unless you specifically want the smaller 8.3-inch size for portability. With all of the changes internal, the ‌iPad mini 7‌ is somewhat of a boring update and there's not a lot to say about it. Along with the A17 Pro, you get 8GB RAM (up from 4GB), Wi-Fi 6E support (for connecting to faster 6GHz networks when available), Bluetooth 5.3, faster USB-C transfer speeds, Apple Pencil Pro support, and higher 128GB base starting storage. Did you get an ‌iPad mini 7‌ or plan to? Let us know what you think in the comments below.Related Roundup: iPad miniBuyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPadThis article, "Hands-On With the New iPad Mini 7" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/23/ipad-mini-7-hands-on/

2024-10-23 18:25:01

iOS 18.2 Includes Revamped Mail App With Built-In Categorization
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With the iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 betas that came out today, Apple introduced an updated version of the Mail app with built-in categorization. Mail Categories organize your incoming emails into different sections. Important emails are shown in a "Primary" category, with orders, newsletters, social notifications, and deals organized into three other sections. The "Transactions" section includes receipts, orders, and deliveries, and it makes it easy to find orders that you've placed and shipping information for those orders. The "Updates" section includes newsletters, alerts for things like doctor's appointments and correspondence, and other subscription emails. Apple's "Promotions" category includes special offers and deal emails. Categorization appears to be a work in progress at this time, which is not surprising as this is a beta. Emails may be mis-categorized or might show up in multiple categories, but that's likely something that Apple will address over time. Devices that have Apple Intelligence support will show priority emails in the Primary inbox, so you can see what's most important first. If an email in the Transactions, Updates, or Promotions section includes time-sensitive information, it will also be in the Primary section of the inbox. Categories is the default view after updating to the new software, but in the upper right corner of the Mail app, you can swap back to a list view that shows all emails in chronological order, without separation into categories. The Mail app has an "About Categories" section where you can see how your messages have been categorized over the course of the last week, but there is no option to tell the Mail app if you believe an email has been put into the wrong category.Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18This article, "iOS 18.2 Includes Revamped Mail App With Built-In Categorization" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/23/ios-18-2-mail-app-categories/

2024-10-23 18:20:01

Get Apple's M2 MacBook Air for Just $699.99 on Amazon, Plus All-Time Low on M3 Model
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Amazon today has introduced a steep new discount on the previous generation 256GB 13-inch M2 MacBook Air, available for just $699.99 with the use of an on-page coupon. We're also tracking a match of the best price ever seen on the newer 13-inch M3 MacBook Air below. 13-Inch M2 MacBook Air Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Starting with the M2 MacBook Air, Amazon is offering up to $299 off both models of the 2022 notebook. Prices start at $699.99 for the 256GB M2 MacBook Air in one color, and increase to $949.99 for the 512GB MacBook Air in two colors. In regards to the former model, this is a new all-time low price on the notebook and a great entry-level price point for anyone looking for a cheap MacBook. Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout. $299 OFF13-inch M2 MacBook Air (256GB) for $699.99 $249 OFF13-inch M2 MacBook Air (512GB) for $949.9913-Inch M3 MacBook Air For the newer models, you can get the 256GB 13-inch M3 MacBook Air for $849.99 in two colors, down from $1,099.00. This is a match of the record low price on this model of the M3 MacBook Air, and for the Starlight color Amazon provides an estimated delivery date of October 28. Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout. $249 OFF13-inch M3 MacBook Air (256GB) for $849.99 Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "Get Apple's M2 MacBook Air for Just $699.99 on Amazon, Plus All-Time Low on M3 Model" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/23/get-apples-m2-macbook-air-699/

2024-10-23 17:55:03

M4 MacBook Air Production to Begin Soon, M4 Mac Studio Delayed
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Apple will soon start production on M4 versions of the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models ahead of an early 2025 launch, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. There are no new design changes planned for the ‌MacBook Air‌ models, and the focus will be on the M4 chip. Apple is working to bring the M4 chip to the entire Mac lineup, and the first Macs with M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips are set to be introduced next week. Apple has plans for new Mac mini, MacBook Pro, and iMac models. The ‌MacBook Air‌ models will follow in the early months of 2025, between January and March. After that, Apple plans to refresh the Mac Studio. Gurman claims that the ‌Mac Studio‌ was on track to be updated alongside the ‌MacBook Air‌, but it is now going to see a refresh between March and June. In prior articles, he has said the ‌Mac Studio‌ would come out in mid-2025, so it is unclear what has changed. An M4 Mac Pro is in development as well, but it is not likely to come out until later in 2025. Around the time when the ‌MacBook Air‌ models come out in early 2025, Apple will also refresh the iPhone SE, the iPad Air, the low-cost iPad, and introduce a new keyboard designed for the ‌iPad Air‌. 2025 will also see the debut of a new home hub device that has a small, square screen.Related Roundups: iPad, iPad Air , Mac Studio, MacBook AirBuyer's Guide: iPad (Caution), iPad Air (Buy Now), Mac Studio (Caution), 15" MacBook Air (Neutral), 13" MacBook Air (Neutral)Related Forums: iPad, Mac Studio, MacBook AirThis article, "M4 MacBook Air Production to Begin Soon, M4 Mac Studio Delayed" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/23/m4-macbook-air-production-beginning-soon/

2024-10-23 17:15:03

Apple Releases First Betas of iOS 18.2 and More With Genmoji, Image Playground and ChatGPT Integration
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Apple today seeded the first betas of upcoming iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 updates to developers for testing purposes. The betas have been released while Apple is still working on iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.1, updates that are set to be released next week. Today's updates introduce the next phase of Apple Intelligence, with Apple previewing new Siri features, image generation tools, and more. Here's what you can expect: Image Playground Image Playground is Apple's image generation app, and it can create images based on prompts. You can enter a description of what you want or use the built-in suggestions and concepts that Apple provides. Apple will suggest costumes, locations, items, and more to add to an image, and these concepts are intelligent and can draw inspiration from a Messages thread or content in the Notes app. There are options to create characters that resemble your friends and family, and you can choose a photo for Image Playground to use as inspiration to create a related image. Elements added to Image Playground creations are previewed, and there is a preview history so you can undo a change and go back to a prior version. While Image Playground is a standalone app, it is also integrated into Messages. Image Playground does not make photorealistic images and is instead limited to animation or illustration styles. Image Wand Image Wand is an Image Playground-related feature that's available in the Notes app on iPad. You can draw a rough sketch with the Apple Pencil or circle a blank space or a key phrase in a note to have Image Wand generate an appropriate image. Genmoji Genmoji are new custom emoji characters that you can create based on descriptions and phrases. Like Image Playground creations, you can base them on your friends and family, with the data pulled from the People album in Photos. You can also make characters using basic elements, and you'll get multiple Genmoji suggestions to choose from. You can create Genmoji using the emoji keyboard. Genmoji are limited to iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 right now, and will be coming to ‌macOS Sequoia‌ later. Siri ChatGPT Integration ‌Siri‌ can integrate with ChatGPT for certain requests, but only with user approval. If ‌Siri‌ is unable to provide an answer to a query, ‌Siri‌ will hand the request over to ChatGPT. ChatGPT's answer will then be provided by ‌Siri‌. ChatGPT can be used to create content from scratch, including text and images. No account is required to use ChatGPT integration, and Apple and OpenAI do not store requests. Visual Intelligence iPhone 16 users have access to Visual Intelligence, a feature that provides information about what's around you. If you open the camera and point it at a restaurant, for example, you'll see opening hours and reviews. Some other Visual Intelligence capabilities include reading text out loud, detecting phone numbers and addresses to add them to Contacts, copying text, and summarizing text. There is an option to search Google for where to buy a specific item that you see, and you can also point the camera at something and then get more information about it from ChatGPT. Apple plans to expand this feature to include more functionality over time. Writing Tools Apple is enhancing the Writing Tools feature to add an option to make more open-ended changes. In iOS 18.1 and its sister updates, Writing Tools can only be used to change the tone to friendly, professional, and a more simplified version. In iOS 18.2, you can describe the tone or content change that you want to make, such as adding more action words, or turning an email into a poem. More Languages Apple Intelligence supports localized English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK in addition to U.S. English. Developer Tools The new betas include developer APIs for adding Writing Tools, Genmoji, and Image Playground into third-party apps. Waiting List If you've already been testing Apple Intelligence and are opted in, you will have access to Writing Tools, ChatGPT integration, and Visual Intelligence automatically. There is a secondary waiting list for early access to use Genmoji, Image Playground, and Image Wand. You can sign up to get access in Image Playground or in the areas where you access Genmoji or Image Wand. When you request access, you are added to a wait list for all three capabilities and you'll get a notification when the features are available for you to use. Availability and Compatibility As of right now, the betas are limited to developers, but there will likely be a public beta coming in the not too distant future. Apple is still working on refining the new Apple Intelligence tools, and the company warns that Genmoji, Image Wand, and Image Playground can sometimes give you results you weren't expecting. Apple is collecting feedback on these experiences and will refine them over time. The feedback received will help Apple determine when the image generation features will be more widely available for beta testing and when they'll see an eventual public launch. Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.2 requires an iPhone 15 Pro or ‌iPhone 16‌ model, while iPadOS 18.2 and ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.2 require an ‌iPad‌ or Mac with an M-series chip.Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18This article, "Apple Releases First Betas of iOS 18.2 and More With Genmoji, Image Playground and ChatGPT Integration" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/23/apple-releases-ios-18-2/

2024-10-23 17:05:01

iPhone Driver's License Support Expands to Iowa
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iPhone users in Iowa are now able to add their driver's licenses and IDs to the Apple Wallet app on ‌iPhone‌ and Apple Watch, allowing them to be used in lieu of a physical ID. Iowans can add a license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app by opening it up, tapping on the "+" button, and following the onscreen instructions and verification process. The digital ID in the Apple Wallet app can be used at select TSA checkpoints, including the Des Moines and Eastern Iowa Airports, as well as at some business venues. It can also be used within select apps when ID is required. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, businesses are able to accept an ID in Apple Wallet using iOS apps like Tap2iD mobile, VeriScan, and Mobile ID Verify for in-person age verification purposes. As with other states that have adopted digital ID integration in Apple Wallet, Iowa's DoT warns that the digital version does not replace a physical license or identification card. Locations that accept mobile IDs will expand over time, however. Apple announced a new Wallet app that supported digital IDs back in 2022, but states have been slow to adopt the feature. So far, only Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Hawaii, California, and Ohio have implemented support. Apple has said that Connecticut, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Utah, Montana, New Mexico, and West Virginia are working on support.Tag: Apple WalletThis article, "iPhone Driver's License Support Expands to Iowa" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/23/iowa-wallet-iphone-drivers-license-support/

2024-10-23 16:40:01

iPhone SE 4 Mass Production Timeframe Revealed as Launch Gets Closer
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Apple suppliers will begin mass production of the fourth-generation iPhone SE in December, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today in a blog post. The fourth-generation iPhone SE is expected to have a similar design as the base iPhone 14, with rumored features including a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, a newer A-series chip, a USB-C port, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, 8GB of RAM to enable Apple Intelligence support, and the first-ever Apple-designed 5G modem. The new iPhone SE is expected to be released in the first half of 2025, with a launch in March or April most likely, and mass production of the device beginning in December would make sense given that timeframe. Kuo estimates that Apple suppliers will produce around 8.6 million fourth-generation iPhone SE units through the first quarter of next year. Apple released the current iPhone SE in March 2022.Related Roundup: iPhone SETag: Ming-Chi KuoBuyer's Guide: iPhone SE (Don't Buy)Related Forum: iPhoneThis article, "iPhone SE 4 Mass Production Timeframe Revealed as Launch Gets Closer" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/23/iphone-se-4-mass-production-timeframe/

2024-10-23 16:15:02

Apple Responds After Being Fined Alongside Goldman Sachs for Alleged 'Apple Card Failures'
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Following an investigation, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today announced it has fined Apple and Goldman Sachs nearly $90 million combined for "Apple Card failures" related to "customer service breakdowns" and "misrepresentations." Apple and Goldman Sachs have partnered on the Apple Card since its launch in 2019, with Goldman Sachs handling the consumer lending aspects. Specifically, the CFPB found that Apple and Goldman Sachs violated the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Act and the U.S. Truth in Lending Act by mishandling transaction disputes and misleading iPhone users about interest-free payment options available when purchasing Apple devices with the Apple Card. These failures impacted "hundreds of thousands of Apple Card users," according to the agency. Apple has been ordered to pay a $25 million fine, which will go to the CFPB's victims relief fund, while Goldman Sachs is required to pay at least $19.8 million in redress to impacted consumers and a $45 million fine. In a statement shared with MacRumors, Apple said it "strongly disagree[s] with the CFPB's characterization of Apple's conduct." "Apple is committed to providing consumers with fair and transparent financial products," an Apple spokesperson said. "Apple Card is one of the most consumer-friendly credit cards available, and was specifically designed to support users' financial health. Upon learning about these inadvertent issues years ago, Apple worked closely with Goldman Sachs to quickly address them and help impacted customers. While we strongly disagree with the CFPB's characterization of Apple’s conduct, we have aligned with them on an agreement. We look forward to continuing to deliver a great experience for our Apple Card customers."Tag: Apple CardThis article, "Apple Responds After Being Fined Alongside Goldman Sachs for Alleged 'Apple Card Failures'" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/23/apple-responds-to-apple-card-fine/

2024-10-23 14:50:02

AirPods 4 Drop to $119 on Amazon, Plus Record Low Prices on iPhone 16 Cases
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Today we're tracking two separate sales across Amazon and Woot, with big discounts on AirPods 4 and Apple's MagSafe cases for iPhone 16. AirPods 4 Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Starting with AirPods, Amazon has the AirPods 4 for $119.00, down from $129.00. This is the base model without Active Noise Cancellation, and Amazon's price today is just $1 off from the all-time low price on this model. $10 OFFAirPods 4 for $119.00 $10 OFFAirPods 4 (ANC) for $168.99 Amazon also has the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation for $168.99, down from $179.00. Similar to the previous model, this is just about $1 away from the record low price on this version of the AirPods 4, making today's sale a solid second-best price for anyone shopping for AirPods this week. iPhone 16 Cases Over at Woot, you can get all-time low prices on Silicone and Clear Cases for the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Woot has a large selection of these down to $34.99 right now, and you can take an additional $10 off with the coupon code APPLEWELCOME through Friday, October 25. UP TO $24 OFFiPhone 16 Cases at Woot These cases are in new condition and come with a one year Apple manufacturer limited warranty. There are multiple colors on sale for each model, including Denim, Black, Lake Green, Fuchsia, and more. Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "AirPods 4 Drop to $119 on Amazon, Plus Record Low Prices on iPhone 16 Cases" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/23/airpods-4-drop-to-119/

2024-10-23 14:05:01

5 Reasons to Get Excited About the New Mac Mini
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Apple's Mac mini has long been a powerhouse in a compact form, offering impressive performance in a small package. With rumors swirling about a completely overhauled new model that is likely just days away from being announced, anticipation is building for what Apple has in store. From enhanced connectivity to major hardware upgrades, the upcoming Mac mini promises to bring significant improvements that make it more compelling than ever. Here are five reasons to get excited about the next generation of this beloved small form-factor desktop. Major Redesign Apple is planning to debut completely redesigned Mac mini models, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The new ‌Mac mini‌ will be the first major design change to the machine since 2010, and is expected to become Apple's smallest ever desktop computer. The slimmed down machine will retain its aluminum casing and be comparable in size to the Apple TV, though it is expected to be taller. Individuals working on the new device reportedly say that it is "essentially an iPad Pro in a small box." 5 USB-C Ports According to Mark Gurman and a leaked Apple report, the next Mac mini is expected to come with five USB-C ports. Similar to the Mac Studio, two of these ports are anticipated to be positioned on the front. It's likely that some of these will support Thunderbolt 4, utilizing the same USB-C interface. However, the full set of five ports might only be available on the M4 Pro versions of the Mac mini. M4 Chip The next Mac mini will come in both M4 and M4 Pro configurations, a significant step up from the current M2 and M2 Pro models. Like the M3, the M4 is built on a 3nm process, but with enhancements from Apple supplier TSMC for improved performance and power efficiency. The M4 also includes an improved Neural Engine that fuels accelerated AI workloads. Apple says it is the company's most powerful Neural Engine ever, capable of 38 trillion operations per second, so there's plenty of scope for faster compute speeds. 16GB Base RAM Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in August that Apple has tested four new Mac models equipped with an M4 chip, and all of them have either 16GB or 32GB of unified memory. The adequacy of 8GB of RAM in Macs has been a contentious issue for over a decade. That has left Apple open to criticism from users who believe that 8GB is not a sufficient amount of RAM for most creative professional workflows, so the news that 16GB is likely to be the new minimum will surely be a welcome development. Apple Intelligence Apple is expected to emphasize the artificial intelligence capabilities of the M4 chip series, and the first Apple Intelligence features are expected to arrive with the release of macOS Sequoia 15.1 on October 28, which is right around the time we are expecting a Mac mini announcement. The initial release will focus on new Siri features, Smart Replies in Mail and Messages, Priority messages in the Mail app, Memory Movie and Clean Up in Photos, and more, with additional features coming in phased updates over the next several months. Release Timing The new-look Mac mini is expected to be announced by Apple before the end of October, with a launch to follow in early November. In his latest word on the subject, Gurman said an "M4 Mac launch" is on Apple's schedule for next week, but he did not mention a specific day. What are you looking forward to about the overhauled model? Let us know in the comments.Related Roundup: Mac miniBuyer's Guide: Mac Mini (Don't Buy)Related Forum: Mac miniThis article, "5 Reasons to Get Excited About the New Mac Mini" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/23/5-reasons-get-excited-upcoming-mac-mini/

2024-10-23 13:20:01

Report: Apple May Stop Producing Vision Pro by the End of 2024
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Apple has abruptly reduced production of the Vision Pro headset and could stop making the current version of the device completely by the end of 2024, The Information reports. Citing multiple people "directly involved" in making components for the headset, the report says that the scaling back of production began in the early summer. This indicates that Apple now has a sufficient number of Vision Pro units in its inventory to meet demand for the device's remaining lifespan. Moreover, Apple has apparently suspended work on the second-generation Vision Pro for at least a year to focus on developing a lower-cost headset. More to follow...Related Roundup: Apple Vision ProTag: The InformationBuyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Buy Now)Related Forum: Apple Vision ProThis article, "Report: Apple May Stop Producing Vision Pro by the End of 2024" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/23/apple-may-stop-producing-vision-pro-by-end-of-2024/

2024-10-23 13:15:01

Apple TV+ Shares Another Teaser Trailer for 'Severance' Season 2
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Apple TV+ today shared another teaser trailer for the second season of the critically-acclaimed workplace thriller "Severance." Apple previously announced that the 10-episode second season of "Severance" will premiere on Friday, January 17, and then one episode will follow every Friday through March 21. The first season ended in April 2022, so fans have waited a long time for the show to return, partly due to the Writers Guild of America going on strike last year. The sci-fi series revolves around the mysterious company Lumon Industries, whose employees cannot recall any memories about their personal lives while they are at work. Similarly, the employees cannot remember anything about the workplace when they are out of the office. In the second season, Apple says the employees "learn the dire consequences of trifling with the severance barrier, leading them further down a path of woe." "Severance" was created by Dan Erickson, and Ben Stiller serves as an executive producer. The series has an ensemble cast, including Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Zach Cherry, Christopher Walken, and others. In the U.S., Apple TV+ costs $9.99 per month or $99 per year, and the service is included in all Apple One subscription bundles. Tags: Apple TV Plus, Apple TV ShowsThis article, "Apple TV+ Shares Another Teaser Trailer for 'Severance' Season 2" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/23/apple-tv-plus-severance-season-two-teaser/

2024-10-23 11:20:02

iPad Mini 7 With Apple Intelligence Available Today for Same-Day Pickup
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Starting today, Apple's new iPad mini 7 with A17 Pro chip is available for same-day or next-day pickup at Apple Stores, with no pre-order required. Online orders are also beginning to arrive to customers today. Customers across Europe, Asia, and other regions can now place an order on Apple's website or in the Apple Store app and arrange for in-store pickup at a local retail location. Apple has yet to update its online store for customers in the United States and Canada, but that will change in the next couple of hours. To order a product with ‌Apple Store‌ pickup, add the product to your bag on Apple.com, proceed to checkout, select the "I'll pick it up" option, enter your ZIP code, choose an available ‌Apple Store‌ location, and select a pickup date. Payment is completed online, and a valid government-issued photo ID and the order number may be required upon pickup. The iPad mini is Apple's smallest tablet device and the latest model features a slim-bezeled design, an A17 Pro chip with support for Apple Intelligence features that are coming in iPadOS 18.1, a USB-C port, and Apple Pencil Pro support. Base storage has been doubled, so the entry-level iPad mini starts with 128GB of storage, up from 64GB. 256GB and 512GB options are available as upgrades. The 12MP wide back camera on the new iPad mini now supports Smart HDR 4 and uses machine learning to detect and scan documents right in the Camera app, while the USB-C port delivers 2x faster wired connections than the previous generation, with data transfers up to 10Gbps. The iPad mini 7's cellular version supports sub-6GHz 5G, an upgrade from LTE, and now includes Wi-Fi 6E for faster 6GHz connections. Bluetooth is improved to version 5.3, and Apple has replaced the nano-SIM slot with eSIM-only connectivity worldwide. Note that iPad mini models sold in Europe do not come with a power adapter in the box, whereas models sold in the US do include a 20W USB-C adapter. The iPad mini comes in four colors, including Blue, Starlight, Purple, and Space Gray. It starts at $499 for the 128GB Wi-Fi-only model, going up to $799 for the 512GB model. Cellular models are available for $150 more over the base price of each configuration. Apple is also selling new $59 Smart Folio cases for the iPad mini in matching colors, while the Apple Pencil Pro that works with the iPad mini is available for $129. Related Roundup: iPad miniTag: Apple IntelligenceBuyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPadThis article, "iPad Mini 7 With Apple Intelligence Available Today for Same-Day Pickup" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/23/ipad-mini-7-now-available-same-day-pickup/

2024-10-23 10:05:01

Craig Federighi Explains Phased Release of Apple Intelligence Features
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In a new interview with The Wall Street Journal, Apple's head of software Craig Federighi has highlighted the company's measured, multi-phase approach to introducing Apple Intelligence features, with the initial iOS 18.1 release next week marking just the beginning of a staggered rollout over several months. "This is a big lift," Federighi told WSJ's Joanna Stern, explaining Apple's cautious strategy to integrating AI into its devices. "You could put something out there and have it be sort of a mess. Apple's point of view is more like, 'Let's try to get each piece right and release it when it's ready.'" The initial release will focus on basic features including Writing Tools for text summarization, notification summaries, and a Clean Up tool in Photos for removing unwanted objects. While most processing occurs on-device, Apple's Private Cloud Compute system handles more intensive tasks through encrypted servers. In other words, user data isn't stored or accessed for AI training. Apple's approach differs significantly from other large language models, which typically process all user input on cloud servers. According to Federighi, the company's personally oriented, privacy-first approach is also why Siri won't offer the sort of answers that one might get from something like ChatGPT. "There's a trade-off across capabilities," he explained. "Those other chatbots are great if you want to ask a question about quantum mechanics, and then have them write a poem about it, but they won't open your garage or send a text message. Will these worlds converge? Of course." Several anticipated features showcased by Apple at WWDC in June won't appear until later updates: iOS 18.2 is expected before the end of the year, and will introduce Image Playground for generating cartoon-style images and Genmoji for creating custom emoji. The update will also add ChatGPT integration for handling complex Siri queries. The most significant Siri enhancements are scheduled for iOS 18.4 around March 2025. These include onscreen awareness for contextual commands, personal context for better understanding of user data, and expanded app control capabilities. Initially, Apple Intelligence will only support U.S. English, with additional languages planned for next year. In contrast to its rivals, Apple is taking a particularly measured approach to image manipulation. The new Clean Up tool in Photos allows users to remove unwanted objects or people from images, but avoids more complex AI-generated alterations like changing the background. "People view photographic content as something they can rely on as indicative of reality," explained Federighi. "It's important to us that we help purvey accurate information, not fantasy." Speaking more broadly about the rollout of Apple Intelligence features, Federighi said: "This is a many-year, honestly, even decades-long arc of this technology playing out, and so we're going to do it responsibly." The new Apple Intelligence features will be available on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, as well as Apple silicon-powered iPads and Macs, when iOS 18.1 launches on October 28.Tags: Apple Intelligence, Craig FederighiThis article, "Craig Federighi Explains Phased Release of Apple Intelligence Features" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/23/craig-federighi-phased-release-apple-intelligence/

2024-10-23 00:05:01

Game Studio Shutdown Suggests Gaming May Not Be Working Out for Netflix
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Netflix recently shut down its "Team Blue" gaming studio in Southern California, according to Game File. The studio included industry veterans that worked on titles like Halo, Overwatch, and God of War. There have been mobile gaming titles available through Netflix since 2021, but Team Blue was supposedly working on a big budget AAA gaming title that would have represented an expansion of Netflix's gaming efforts. The decision to shutter the studio developing an original multi-platform AAA title suggests that gaming might not be going so well for Netflix. Back in 2022, a report suggested that less than one percent of Netflix subscribers were engaging in games, but Netflix has made an effort to introduce more premium titles since then. Netflix's mobile gaming catalog includes several Grand Theft Auto titles, popular roguelike Hades, Cozy Grove, Farming Simulator, Spiritfarer, Rollercoaster Tycoon, and more. The games are included with a Netflix subscription, and no additional fees are required to play them. Netflix games can be downloaded as standalone games on Apple devices, and are available to play after logging in with an active Netflix account.Tag: NetflixThis article, "Game Studio Shutdown Suggests Gaming May Not Be Working Out for Netflix" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/22/netflix-game-studio-shutdown/

2024-10-22 22:20:02

New iPad Mini 7 Models Begin Arriving to Customers in Australia and New Zealand
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It's Wednesday, October 23 in Australia and New Zealand, which means that customers who pre-ordered one of the new iPad mini 7 devices are starting to receive their orders. Apple introduced the iPad mini 7 on October 15, which is also when the company began accepting pre-orders. While the ‌iPad mini 7‌ has the same design as the iPad mini 6, it is equipped with an A17 Pro chip and 8GB RAM in order to support the Apple Intelligence features that are coming in iPadOS 18.1. The ‌iPad mini 7‌ also offers Wi-Fi 6E, faster USB-C data transfer speeds, Bluetooth 5.3, and support for the Apple Pencil Pro. It now offers a minimum of 128GB of storage with an option to upgrade to 256GB or 512GB, and Apple also unveiled new colors. There are no Apple retail stores in New Zealand, but Apple Stores in Australia will have the new ‌iPad mini 7‌ available for walk-in purchases. We are not expecting any shortages of the new tablet. Following New Zealand and Australia, sales of the ‌iPad mini 7‌ will begin in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and finally, North America. The ‌iPad mini 7‌ is priced starting at $499, and it continues to be Apple's smallest tablet.Related Roundup: iPad miniBuyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPadThis article, "New iPad Mini 7 Models Begin Arriving to Customers in Australia and New Zealand" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/22/ipad-mini-7-australia-new-zealand/

2024-10-22 21:25:02

Dropped iPhone Causes Woman to Be Trapped Upside Down in Rock Crevice for Hours
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Australian woman Matilda Campbell ended up trapped in a tight rock crevice upside down after she fell trying to retrieve an iPhone that she dropped, according to a report from ABC Newcastle. The 23-year-old was taking images in the New South Wales Hunter Valley when she lost hold of her phone. She tried to get it, but slipped and fell three meters and became stuck between two large boulders, hanging upside down by her feet. While the news report does not make specific mention of an ‌iPhone‌, Campbell's social media accounts indicate she was an ‌iPhone‌ user. It took an hour for rescuers to get to Campbell, and several more hours to free her. NSW Ambulance rescue paramedic Peter Watts told ABC Newcastle that Campbell was calm and collected, despite the situation. He said it was a difficult, "out-of-the-box rescue" that was unlike anything he'd previously experienced. NSW Ambulance shared images of the rescue on Facebook. Rescue crews had to remove seven boulders weighing between 80 and 500 kilograms to free Campbell, plus a wooden frame had to be constructed in case any boulders cracked and fell. Campbell was trapped for approximately seven hours, and she ended up with scrapes, bruises, and a cracked vertebra. She was not able to retrieve her ‌iPhone‌.This article, "Dropped iPhone Causes Woman to Be Trapped Upside Down in Rock Crevice for Hours" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/22/dropped-iphone-rock-crevice-accident/

2024-10-22 20:25:01

Apple Said to Be Working on New Gaming App for iOS
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Apple is working on an App Store-style app designed for gaming, according to a report from 9to5Mac. It would merge App Store gaming content, Apple Arcade, and Game Center into a central location. The app is said to feature a Play Now tab with gaming content and suggestions, plus a Game Center tab for tracking game progress and games that friends are playing. Game Center features like achievements and leaderboards will be highlighted. Apple plans to offer both ‌Apple Arcade‌ games and ‌App Store‌ games in the app, and the company will promote gaming events and details about important updates. It is possible that there will be integration with FaceTime and Messages for remote play with friends, as well as App Clip mini game demos. There is no word on when Apple might release this dedicated gaming app.Tags: App Store, Apple Arcade, Game CenterThis article, "Apple Said to Be Working on New Gaming App for iOS" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/22/apple-gaming-app-ios/

2024-10-22 20:15:01

Apple Seeds Second visionOS 2.1 Release Candidate
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Apple today seeded a second release candidate version of an upcoming visionOS 2.1 update to developers for testing purposes. The new software comes a day after Apple seeded the first release candidate version. visionOS 2.1 can be installed by going to the Software Update section of the Settings app on the Vision Pro and opting into Beta Updates. So far, no major new features have been discovered in the update, and it likely focuses on bug fixes and other small feature improvements. Apple's release notes say that the second visionOS 2.1 RC fixes an issue that could cause Apple Music songs and music videos to fail to play. visionOS 2.1 is expected to see a release next Monday alongside iOS 18.1.Related Roundup: visionOS 2Related Forum: Apple Vision ProThis article, "Apple Seeds Second visionOS 2.1 Release Candidate" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/22/apple-seeds-second-visionos-2-1-release-candidate/

2024-10-22 18:00:03

Apple Releases iPadOS 18.0.1 for iPad Mini 7 Ahead of Tomorrow's Launch
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Apple today released a new version of iPadOS 18.0.1 that's designed specifically for the iPad mini 7 that will be available as of tomorrow. The iPadOS 18.0.1 update features the same content as the iPadOS 18.0.1 update that was released in early October, but it has a 22A8380 build number. The ‌iPad mini 7‌ isn't out just yet, but customers in Australia and New Zealand who pre-ordered will be getting their shipments in just a few hours, and they'll be able to update during the setup process. iPadOS 18.0.1 includes a fix for an issue that could cause the iPad to unexpectedly quit when replying to a message with a shared Apple Watch face, plus it has a security fix to address a vulnerability with the Passwords app. Launch versions of the ‌iPad mini 7‌ have a version of iOS 18.0 installed rather than iPadOS 18.0.1, which is why there's an out-of-the-box update. Next week, ‌iPad mini 7‌ owners can also upgrade to iPadOS 18.1, an update that includes the first Apple Intelligence features.Related Roundup: iPad miniBuyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPadThis article, "Apple Releases iPadOS 18.0.1 for iPad Mini 7 Ahead of Tomorrow's Launch" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/22/apple-releases-ipados-18-0-1-ipad-mini-7/

2024-10-22 17:35:02

Gurman: 'M4 Mac Launch' is 'Next Week'
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Just a few hours after claiming that the first Macs with M4 chips are launching "very soon," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has followed up with a slightly more specific timeframe. In his latest social media post today, he said an "M4 Mac launch" is on Apple's schedule for next week, but he did not mention a specific day. A concept of a plan of a smaller Mac mini with front-facing USB-C ports "Busy week for Apple next week: Apple Intelligence on Monday, then M4 Mac launch, then earnings results on Thursday," he posted. In another social media post today, Gurman said that Apple is inviting journalists and content creators to a hands-on experience in Los Angeles next Wednesday, and he believes this means the new Macs would need to be announced before then. In another twist, leaker Sonny Dickson today claimed that he heard the new Mac mini with five USB-C ports might launch this week instead. Dickson has revealed some accurate details about upcoming Apple products through leaked cases and dummy models, but some of his hardware-related claims have proven to be inaccurate. In any case, it looks like Apple will announce the first Macs with M4 chips in around a week from now at the latest, based on these latest claims. It's still not entirely clear if the announcements will be part of an online event, like the "Scary Fast" event on October 30 last year, or if the products will be announced in press releases on the Apple Newsroom website only. There is still time left in October for Apple to invite the media to watch an online event, but the window for that is gradually coming to a close. We'll see! Here is everything that Apple is likely to announce in the coming days: An entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 chip, and an additional Thunderbolt port compared to the current model 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M4 Pro and M4 Max chip options An updated iMac with the M4 chip A new Mac mini with a smaller Apple TV-like design, two front-facing USB-C ports, and M4 and M4 Pro chip options USB-C versions of the Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Keyboard accessoriesThe entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 chip allegedly leaked in a few unboxing videos earlier this month, and it was shown to be a November 2024 model in those videos. If the videos are legitimate, that means the first Macs with M4 chips might not arrive to customers until next month, even if they are announced within the next week or so.Related Roundups: iMac, MacBook Pro, Mac miniTags: Mark Gurman, Sonny DicksonBuyer's Guide: iMac (Don't Buy), 14" & 16" MacBook Pro (Don't Buy), Mac Mini (Don't Buy)Related Forums: iMac, MacBook Pro, Mac miniThis article, "Gurman: 'M4 Mac Launch' is 'Next Week'" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/22/m4-mac-launch-timing-rumors/

2024-10-22 17:20:01

Apple Seeds watchOS 11.1 Release Candidate
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Apple today seeded the release candidate version of an upcoming watchOS 11.1 update to developers and public beta testers for testing purposes. The new software comes approximately week after Apple released the fifth beta. watchOS 11.1 can be installed by going to the Apple Watch app and selecting the Software Update section under "General" in Settings. So far, no major new features have been discovered in the watchOS 11.1 update, though Apple's release notes indicate that there is a fix for an issue that could cause problems writing breathing disturbance data to the Health app. watchOS 11.1 is expected to see a release alongside iOS 18.1 next Monday.Related Roundup: watchOS 11Related Forum: Apple WatchThis article, "Apple Seeds watchOS 11.1 Release Candidate" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/22/apple-watchos-11-1-release-candidate-now-available/

2024-10-22 15:25:01

iPad Mini vs. iPad Air Buyer's Guide: 15 Differences Compared
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Apple recently introduced the seventh-generation iPad mini, offering the A17 Pro chip, Apple Intelligence support, 8GB of memory, Apple Pencil Pro and ‌Apple Pencil‌ hover support, and more. Earlier this year, Apple debuted the sixth-generation iPad Air, featuring the M2 chip, ‌Apple Pencil‌ Pro support, and a larger display size option. The ‌iPad mini‌ effectively shares the design of the ‌iPad Air‌, with both devices possessing many of the same features such as an all-screen design with no Home button, Touch ID in the top button, and stereo speakers. Despite theoretically being different product lines, the ‌iPad mini‌ and ‌iPad Air‌ are almost identical in terms of specifications and are even available in the same color options. There are still some minor differences between the devices, such as their display sizes and chips, that set the devices apart. Should you buy the more expensive, larger ‌iPad Air‌, or opt for the smaller and more affordable ‌iPad mini‌? Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two iPads is best for you. All of the differences between the two devices are listed below: ‌iPad mini‌ (seventh generation, 2024) ‌iPad Air‌ (sixth generation, 2024) 8.3-inch display with 326 ppi 11-inch or 13-inch display with 264 ppi 500 nits max SDR brightness 11-inch: 500 nits max SDR brightness 13-inch: 600 nits max SDR brightness Smaller, compact design for maximum portability Larger design, better for productivity Weighs 0.66 pounds (297 grams) 11-inch: Weighs 1.02 pounds (462 grams) 13-inch: Weighs 1.36 pounds (617 grams) A17 Pro chip (introduced with iPhone 15 Pro in 2023, made with TSMC's 3nm N3 process) ‌M2‌ chip (introduced with redesigned MacBook Air in 2022, made with TSMC's enhanced 5nm N5P process) 6-core CPU 8-core CPU 5-core GPU 9-core GPU Dedicated media Engine Hardware-accelerated H.264 and HEVC Video decode engine Video encode engine Stage Manager support Volume buttons on top Volume buttons on right side 12MP Ultra Wide front camera Landscape 12MP Ultra Wide front camera True Tone flash Compatible with Bluetooth keyboards only Smart Connector to support Apple's Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage Starts at $499 11-inch: Starts at $599 13-inch: Start at $799 Overall, the ‌iPad Air‌ is the best all-around option for the majority of users, providing a large screen for productivity and consuming entertainment in a slim, portable design. The additional $100 needed to buy the 11-inch ‌iPad Air‌ over the ‌iPad mini‌ is more than justified for the benefits that come with its larger display and ‌M2‌ chip, not least the ability to practically use it as a laptop replacement with the Magic Keyboard and ‌Stage Manager‌. Yet, most customers who choose the ‌iPad mini‌ will do so because of its screen size rather than in spite of it. The ‌iPad mini‌ is ideal for comfortably reading ebooks, playing handheld games, and easy transport and storage. Those who buy the ‌iPad mini‌ will likely have a specific use case in mind for how they will use the device, such as for note-taking on the go with the ‌Apple Pencil‌, throwing into a small bag to use on public transport, or giving it to a kid as their first tablet. If you do not see the ‌iPad mini‌'s smaller display, easy one-handed grip, lightweight design, and portable form factor as an advantage for your use case and are focused on a more versatile display size, you will likely prefer the ‌iPad Air‌, especially as it is now available with a 13-inch size option. The ‌iPad Air‌ is more of an all-around device that works as a potential laptop replacement with support for ‌Stage Manager‌, with the added bonuses that come with a bigger screen for productivity and entertainment.Related Roundups: iPad Air , iPad miniBuyer's Guide: iPad Air (Buy Now), iPad Mini (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPadThis article, "iPad Mini vs. iPad Air Buyer's Guide: 15 Differences Compared" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ipad-mini-vs-ipad-air/

2024-10-22 15:05:01

Apple CEO Tim Cook and COO Jeff Williams Visiting China
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Apple CEO Tim Cook and COO Jeff Williams are in China this week to promote Apple's products and initiatives in the region. Throughout their trip, Cook has been active on Weibo. Cook and Williams met students from China Agricultural University and Zhejiang University, exploring how they use iPhones and iPads to improve sustainable agricultural practices. Cook thanked the China Rural Development Fund (CFRD) and everyone involved in the Science and Technology Backyards initiative for their work in promoting efficiency and sustainability in farming. They also met renowned Chinese fashion photographer Chen Man, who captured images of Cook using the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Cook spent time with musician Lexie Liu, who shared insights into her creative process and how she uses Apple products, including the iPhone and Mac. Cook and Williams also visited developers at Gala Sports, where they witnessed a demonstration of the game NBA Rivals on the iPhone 16. A significant aspect of Cook's trip was the announcement of Apple's support for a national parks initiative in China through a partnership with the China Green Carbon Foundation (CGCF). The visit marks Cook's second trip to China in 2024, following a visit in March, which included the opening of Apple's 57th store in the Greater China region and meetings with key suppliers. Tags: China, Jeff Williams, Tim CookThis article, "Apple CEO Tim Cook and COO Jeff Williams Visiting China" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/22/cook-and-williams-visiting-china/

2024-10-22 14:45:03

New iPad Mini Compatible With Final Cut Pro, But Lacks Stage Manager
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Apple last year released Final Cut Pro for iPad Pro and iPad Air models with the M1 chip and newer, and now the app is also compatible with the new iPad mini. Apple recently updated the App Store listing for Final Cut Pro for iPad to indicate that the app is now compatible with both M-series chips and the A17 Pro chip in the new iPad mini. We have also confirmed that the new iPad mini is not compatible with the Stage Manager feature.Related Roundup: iPad miniTags: Final Cut Pro, Stage ManagerBuyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPadThis article, "New iPad Mini Compatible With Final Cut Pro, But Lacks Stage Manager" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/22/ipad-mini-7-compatible-with-final-cut-pro/

2024-10-22 14:40:02

Samsung Kicks Off Week-Long Sale With Big Discounts on Monitors and TVs
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Samsung has begun a new week-long savings event, and it includes discounts on TVs, smartphones, monitors and memory, wearables, appliances, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Samsung. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. One of the most notable offers during this sale is a bundle deal with Samsung's TVs and monitors. When you purchase select gaming monitors at the same time as one of Samsung's OLED S95D TVs, you can save up to $1,075 on your entire order. SITEWIDE DEALSSamsung Week Discount Event Samsung is also offering the 27-inch Odyssey G3 Gaming Monitor for free ($229.99 value) when you purchase select gaming monitors. You can find a collection of the monitors on sale during Samsung Week below, as well as a few TVs and Galaxy devices. Monitors and Storage 990 EVO 5.0 NVMe SSD 2TB - $139.99, down from $239.99 2TB Portable SSD - $149.99, down from $284.99 34-inch OLED Curved Smart Gaming Monitor - $699.99, down from $1,199.99 27-inch Odyssey G6 Pro Gaming Monitor - $799.99, down from $899.99 34-inch Odyssey OLED G8 Curved Gaming Monitor - $799.99, down from $1,199.99 32-inch Odyssey Quantum Gaming Monitor - $799.99, down from $1,099.99 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9 Curved Gaming Monitor - $1,079.99, down from $1,799.99 55-inch Odyssey Ark 2nd Gen Curved Gaming Monitor - $1,999.99, down from $2,999.99 TVs 55-inch Neo QLED 4K Smart TV - $1,199.99, down from $1,499.99 65-inch OLED S90C TV - $1,299.99, down from $2,599.99 85-inch QLED 4K TV - $1,579.99, down from $2,799.99 85-inch Neo QLED 4K TV - $2,299.99, down from $3,699.99 Galaxy Products Galaxy Z Fold6 - Save up to $1,600 with trade-in credit Galaxy Z Flip6 - Save up to $945 with trade-in credit Galaxy Watch Ultra - Save up to $350 Galaxy Buds3 Pro - Save up to $100 Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "Samsung Kicks Off Week-Long Sale With Big Discounts on Monitors and TVs" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/22/samsung-week-long-sale/

2024-10-22 13:50:02

iPad Mini 7 Reviews Say 'Jelly Scrolling' is Fixed, With a Major Exception
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The first iPad mini 7 reviews were published today, and many of them said that "jelly scrolling" display behavior is either less noticeable or fully unnoticeable on the device. However, one prominent technology website disagrees. The major exception is The Verge. "The 'jelly scrolling' effect from the last model is still very much present," opined The Verge's David Pierce, but he did not elaborate. Many other reviews said that "jelly scrolling" seems to be fixed, as a result of Apple making display-related hardware changes to minimize the effect. Jason Snell, writing for Six Colors: It's my understanding that the new model's display circuitry is different from the old model, and I couldn't detect any "jelly scrolling" in my use. It doesn't mean it's for sure gone, and I'm looking forward to eagle-eyed "jelly scrolling" experts reporting back with their results, but I sure couldn't see it, even when I recorded myself scrolling at a high frame rate and played it back frame by frame. Craig Grannell, writing for Stuff: Apple reckons it's optimised the display, but won't provide any details on how. To my eyes, the jelly scrolling doesn't look as bad as I recall it being last time, but bear in mind two things. First, I don't have the old iPad mini to compare. Secondly, I wasn't too fussed about this last time anyway. Nathan Ingraham, writing for Engadget: One bit of good news about the screen is that it seems Apple has fixed the "jelly-scrolling" problem that plagued the prior iPad mini. Jelly-scrolling occurs when one side of a screen doesn't refresh at exactly the same rate as the other, and this effect was noticeable in portrait mode with the old iPad mini. It's not something that I ever noticed while using the new iPad mini. I am curious to see if the issue has been totally resolved or if my eyes just didn't catch it, but I'll continue using the iPad mini in the coming weeks to see if I spot any display issues. Brenda Stolyar, writing for WIRED: But I can't talk about the iPad Mini display without going over the infamous “jelly scrolling” fiasco on the 2021 model. iPad Mini owners bemoaned that one side of the screen refreshed slower than the other when scrolling up and down on the display. I didn't experience this with my Mini, but Apple did make it a point to optimize the LCD in the latest model to alleviate this issue. Apple was tight-lipped on exactly what it changed, but for what it's worth, I once again have yet to see any problems on my test unit. Tony Polanco, writing for Tom's Guide: Lastly, I didn't notice the infamous "jelly scrolling" screen-tearing effect that plagued the iPad mini 6 during my testing. I can't say whether or not Apple fixed this issue or I simply didn't see it. But if that should change, I'll update this review. "Jelly scrolling" refers to screen tearing, which can cause text or images on one side of the screen to appear to be tilted downwards because of a mismatch in refresh rates. It can cause one side of the display to look as if it is responding faster than the other side, resulting in a visual disturbance that is hard to ignore once noticed. "Jelly scrolling" on iPad mini 6 The effect is noticeable on the iPad mini 6 when the device was used in portrait orientation, leading to complaints from customers over the past three years. Shortly after the iPad mini 6 launched, an Apple spokesperson told Ars Technica on background that "jelly scrolling" was "normal" behavior for iPads with LCD displays. Given that LCDs refresh line by line, there is a tiny delay between when the lines at the top and lines at the bottom are refreshed. The effect is particularly noticeable on the iPad mini 6 because it can be seen in portrait orientation rather than landscape orientation. The new iPad mini launches this Wednesday, October 23.Related Roundup: iPad miniBuyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPadThis article, "iPad Mini 7 Reviews Say 'Jelly Scrolling' is Fixed, With a Major Exception" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/22/does-ipad-mini-7-fix-jelly-scrolling/

2024-10-22 09:20:02

iOS 18: Create a Dark Mode Icon for Almost Any App
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Have you tried making your iPhone's Home Screen app icons dark using the new customization options in iOS 18? If so, you may have run up against the issue that, despite all efforts, some app icons simply refuse to turn dark. Well, we may have a solution for you. It's been over two months since Apple released iOS 18, but not all app developers have updated their apps to include equivalent dark mode icons (we're looking at you, Amazon). And while iOS 18 tries to automatically generate dark icons when developers haven't provided them, it doesn't always work. If that leaves one or two light icons spoiling your otherwise carefully crafted dark-themed Home Screen, don't despair. The following steps describe a relatively simple method you can use that will give most stubborn app icons a passable dark appearance. Big thanks to Redditor Straight_Random_2211 for sharing their custom dark icon assets and process, which we've distilled below: On your iPhone, download the "Get App Icon" shortcut: [Shortcut Link]. Run the shortcut and type in the name of the app whose icon you want to make dark, then select it from the search results. The icon will be saved in your photo library. Next, save the following dark-background image to your photo library (long press ➝ Save to Photos): [Image Link] Visit Remove.bg's "change background" web tool, then tap the blue Upload Image button and choose the app icon that's saved in your photos. Under "Background Image," tap Select File, then choose the dark background image that's also saved in your photos. Press and hold the resulting image on the remove.bg webpage, then tap Save to Photos in the contextual menu. Now, open Shortcuts and tap the + button at the top to create a new Shortcut, then select the Open App action. Tap the blue "App" text in the "Open App" action, then choose the app whose icon you want to make dark. Tap the chevron at the top of the screen, select Add to Home Screen from the dropdown menu. Label the shortcut as the app's name and choose your custom dark icon for the photo, then tap Add to finish. With a bit of luck, your custom dark mode icon will look the part on your personalized Home Screen. Note: If you have several app icons that you want to create dark mode equivalents for, make sure to create a new "Open App" shortcut for each one as you go. If you don't, you may end up accidentally creating several icon shortcuts that refer back to the same app.Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18Tag: Dark ModeRelated Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18This article, "iOS 18: Create a Dark Mode Icon for Almost Any App" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/ios-18-create-a-dark-mode-icon-for-almost-any-app/

2024-10-22 09:01:23

Testing the New iOS 18.1 Hearing Aid Functionality
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With iOS 18.1, Apple is adding a new set of hearing health features to the AirPods Pro 2. The iOS 18.1 release candidate for developers and public beta testers includes the full hearing aid functionality, so we thought we'd give it a try to see just how it works. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. To use the new hearing health features, you need to connect your ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 to an iPhone running iOS 18.1, or an iPad with iPadOS 18.1. From there, if you tap into the ‌AirPods Pro‌ section, you'll see an option to take a hearing test, which should be your first stop. Apple's hearing test mimics the hearing tests you might have had conducted at a doctor's office or by an audiologist, and it's meant to determine whether you have any hearing loss. If you do have hearing loss, the test determines which frequencies you're struggling with. With the AirPods in your ears, you can tap "Get Started" to take the hearing test. The test takes approximately five minutes, starting first with the left ear and then moving on to the right ear. You'll hear a series of tones at different frequencies and sound levels, and the idea is to tap the ‌iPhone‌'s screen whenever you hear a sound. The tones that you hear test for four frequencies, including 500Hz, 1kHz, 2kHz, and 4kHz. Apple puts your ‌iPhone‌ in Do Not Disturb mode for the test, and also uses your AirPods to make sure it's quiet enough for the test to be conducted. The test is designed for adults that are 18 years or older, and it shouldn't be done when you have allergies, a cold, an ear infection, or a sinus issue, which can affect the results. Apple also recommends waiting to take the test at least 24 hours after you've been exposed to loud noise like a concert or construction, as this can also impact the hearing test. After going through the hearing test steps, you'll get your Hearing Test results, with separate decibel levels detected for each ear. If you get a 5 dBHL reading for each ear, for example, you have little to no hearing loss and will not need adjustments to your AirPods. Apple says that results up to 25 dBHL indicate little to no hearing loss. 26 to 40 dBHL is a sign of mild hearing loss, while results of 41 to 60 dBHL suggest moderate hearing loss. 61 to 80 dBHL is severe hearing loss, and a result above 80 dBHL is considered profound hearing loss. For context, a whisper is around 20 decibels, while a person breathing is somewhere around 10 decibels. Rainfall is 50 decibels, and a standard conversation is 60 decibels. With no hearing loss, you can hear a whisper, and with mild loss, you can still hear and repeat words spoken in a normal voice from three feet away. With moderate loss, you can hear and repeat words spoken in a raised voice from three feet away. If your test shows mild to moderate hearing loss, you'll have the option to turn on the Hearing Aid feature of the ‌AirPods Pro‌. With this enabled, the ‌AirPods Pro‌ can use the data from your test to boost the frequencies that you have trouble hearing, making it easier to hear voices and other sounds around you. There's also a Media Assist feature that goes along with the Hearing Aid function, and it adjusts music, videos, and calls so you can hear them better. You can also turn on the Hearing Aid feature using an audiogram from an audiologist if you don't want to take the test on the ‌iPhone‌. Note that if your test showed no hearing loss, Apple will not recommend changes to your AirPods tuning, and there will not be an option to turn on the Hearing Aid feature. To see even more information from your Hearing Test, you can go to the Hearing section of the Health app and tap into the test to see a graph of which frequencies you had the most trouble with. Along with Hearing Assistance, the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 also offer Hearing Protection as part of Apple's Hearing Health feature set. This includes a Loud Sound Reduction option that is enabled automatically. Loud Sound Reduction listens for loud noises around you in Transparency and Adaptive Modes, and reduces the level of the noise to prevent hearing loss. If you're at a concert, for example, Loud Sound Reduction will drop the noise to a healthier level so that it won't impact your hearing. The same goes for other loud sounds like nearby construction work. Apple says that in Transparency Mode, you'll see 11-15 decibels of sound reduction in an environment where the noise level is at 100 decibels, while in Adaptive Mode, noise reduction will range from 25 to 29 decibels. With Active Noise Cancellation, noise reduction is 25 to 30 decibels. The amount of noise reduction can vary based on the fit of the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 and the environment that you're in. The ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 don't provide enough sound reduction for "extremely loud impulse sounds" like gunfire, jackhammers, or fireworks, nor do they work well enough for sustained noise levels louder than 110 decibels. In the Health app under the Environmental Sound Reduction section, you can see the amount of sound reduction you've gotten from your ‌AirPods Pro‌ from hour to hour. If you have the iOS 18.1 developer or public beta and ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2, you can try out the new hearing test and hearing aid feature right now. Otherwise, this functionality is set to become available to the public when iOS 18.1 launches next week. What do you think of the new Hearing Health features for the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2? Let us know in the comments below.Related Roundup: AirPods ProBuyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Neutral)Related Forum: AirPodsThis article, "Testing the New iOS 18.1 Hearing Aid Functionality" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/21/ios-18-1-hearing-aid-feature/

2024-10-22 09:00:54

Qualcomm Says New Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC Has 'World's Fastest Mobile CPU'
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Qualcomm today unveiled the Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile platform, which features a next-generation custom Qualcomm-designed Oryon CPU instead of the semi-custom Kryo Arm-based chips from prior SoCs. According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 8 Elite features the "world's fastest mobile CPU," outperforming even the A18 Pro chip in the iPhone 16 Pro series. The Oryon CPU is built on a 3-nanometer process, much like Apple's most recent chips. It has eight cores in total, including two prime cores and six performance cores, and it is able to reach peak CPU speeds of 4.32 GHz. Qualcomm also claims that it has the "industry's largest shared cache" to enable "insanely fast data retrieval." There's also a new "Adreno" GPU, and Qualcomm says it uses a "revolutionary sliced architecture" for faster performance and battery life optimizations. Qualcomm built the chip with generative AI in mind, and it has an included Qualcomm AI Engine with Multimodal Gen AI that Qualcomm says can better understand voice, text, and images, viewing the world through the camera on a smartphone to help with tasks. Compared to prior-generation Qualcomm chips, the Snapdragon 8 Elite features 45 percent faster CPU performance and 44 percent better power efficiency. The chip integrates the Qualcomm Snapdragon X80 5G modem with Wi-Fi 7 and 5G support. It will be used in Android-based devices from companies like Google, Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and more.Tag: QualcommThis article, "Qualcomm Says New Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC Has 'World's Fastest Mobile CPU'" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/21/qualcomm-snapdragon-8-elite/

2024-10-22 09:00:32

iPad Mini 7 Will Have Day One Update
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Apple is set to release the iPad mini 7 on Wednesday, and new iPad mini owners will have an update waiting right out of the box. Apple is shipping the ‌iPad mini 7‌ with a version of iOS 18.0, which is no longer the current version of iOS 18. ‌iPad mini‌ owners will need to install iOS 18.0.1, and Apple has a special version of the update ready to go, with a version number of 22A8380. iOS 18.0.1 included some important bug fixes and security updates, so it'll be worth updating to right away if you're getting a new ‌iPad mini‌. After that day one update, ‌iPad mini‌ owners will need to install a second update next Monday, which is when Apple will release iOS 18.1. iOS 18.1 is the first version of ‌iOS 18‌ that includes Apple Intelligence features, which the ‌iPad mini 7‌ will support with its A17 Pro chip. Apple first announced the ‌iPad mini‌ last Tuesday, and along with an A17 Pro chip, it includes Wi-Fi 6E support, Bluetooth 5.3, and support for the Apple Pencil Pro. The ‌iPad mini 7‌ is priced starting at $499.Related Roundup: iPad miniBuyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPadThis article, "iPad Mini 7 Will Have Day One Update" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/21/ipad-mini-7-day-one-update/

2024-10-22 09:00:17

WhatsApp for iOS Gets New Home Screen Widget for Chats, Camera Updates
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Popular messaging app WhatsApp was today updated to add a new Home Screen widget that's specific to chats. The widget is available on the iPhone after updating to version 24.21.81, which came out this afternoon. After updating the widget can be added to the ‌Home Screen‌ using the Edit interface. Users can choose from Recents, Favorites, Pinned, or Frequently Contacted to get quick access to their preferred chats. WhatsApp has also added support for using 0.5x to 3x zoom with the built-in camera, and there is an option to mention others in Status by tapping the @ button in the composer. Not all users will receive these updates right away, and WhatsApp says they will "roll out over the coming weeks."Tag: WhatsAppThis article, "WhatsApp for iOS Gets New Home Screen Widget for Chats, Camera Updates" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/21/whatsapp-ios-home-screen-widget/

2024-10-21 20:40:01

Hulu and Disney+ No Longer Support Signups and Payment Using App Store
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Disney is no longer allowing its customers to sign up for and purchase subscriptions to Hulu or Disney+ through Apple's App Store, cutting out any subscription fees that Disney would have needed to pay to Apple for using in-app purchase. The change was noted on Reddit over the weekend, and there are details on the Disney+ and Hulu websites. Both the Disney+ and Hulu websites say that new and returning subscribers cannot sign up for and pay through Apple, but existing Apple-billed subscribers are not affected. Hulu and Disney+ customers can still watch content on Apple devices by signing into their Hulu and Disney+ accounts in the iOS apps. Disney directs customers to its websites in order to see all plans and sign up for a subscription directly. For digital purchases like subscription services, Apple collects a 15 to 30 percent fee from each transaction. By removing the option to sign up for streaming services using the in-app purchase system, Disney will not have to pay a fee to Apple. Disney joins other streaming apps like Netflix that have not offered support for purchasing a subscription in an iOS app for years.Tags: App Store, Disney, Disney Plus, HuluThis article, "Hulu and Disney+ No Longer Support Signups and Payment Using App Store" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/21/hulu-disney-plus-no-app-store-signup/

2024-10-21 18:05:02

Apple Working on New Magic Mouse 2, Magic Trackpad 2 and Magic Keyboard
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Apple may soon release new versions of the Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard, and Magic Trackpad, according to code found in the iOS 18.1 release candidate by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. There are references to a new Magic Mouse 2, Magic Trackpad 2, and several Magic Keyboards, which would include versions with Touch ID and number pads, as well as models without. While there is no information in iOS 18.1 about what to expect for these devices, we are expecting them to be refreshed with USB-C ports. Apple has been updating all of its devices to replace Lightning with USB-C, and all of those accessories currently use Lightning for recharging purposes. Apple could also move the port location on the Magic Mouse, as the Lightning port located on the bottom of the device has long been a subject of ridicule. We'll likely see Apple introduce the new Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Keyboard alongside new M4 Mac models. Rumors suggest that Apple plans to release M4 versions of the MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac at some point in October.This article, "Apple Working on New Magic Mouse 2, Magic Trackpad 2 and Magic Keyboard" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/21/apple-new-magic-mouse-trackpad-keyboard/

2024-10-21 17:50:02

iOS 18.1 Fixes Bug Causing iPhone 16 to Randomly Restart
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Along with new Apple Intelligence features, iOS 18.1 includes several bug fixes, and it addresses a frustrating bug that was causing some new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models to randomly restart. As we reported last week, there have been reports about unexpected restarts since the new ‌iPhone 16‌ models launched. Affected users see the iPhone's display either stop responding or slow down with touch input, and then the ‌iPhone‌ will restart. The issue seems to pop up randomly, and it could also impact devices used in StandBy mode. Some users have seen 10 to 20 crashes per day, while other users have seen fewer restarts. Apple has confirmed that the iOS 18.1 update will fix the restart issue, and it is mentioned in the iOS 18.1 release notes included with the release candidate that came out today. iOS 18.1 also fixes several other bugs, including a Podcasts issue that could cause unplayed episodes to be marked as played, a problem with stuttering or overheating when scrubbing through 4K 60 fps videos in the Photos app, and a bug that could cause digital car keys not to unlock or start a vehicle with passive entry after restoring from a backup or transferring from another ‌iPhone‌.Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 ProBuyer's Guide: iPhone 16 (Buy Now), iPhone 16 Pro (Buy Now)Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18This article, "iOS 18.1 Fixes Bug Causing iPhone 16 to Randomly Restart" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/21/ios-18-1-fixes-random-restart-bug-iphone-16/

2024-10-21 17:20:01

Apple Seeds visionOS 2.1 and tvOS 18.1 Release Candidates
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Apple today seeded release candidate versions of upcoming visionOS 2.1 and tvOS 18.1 updates to developers and public beta testers for testing purposes. The new software comes approximately week after Apple released the fourth betas. tvOS 18.1 can be downloaded and installed through the Apple TV Settings app, and visionOS 2.1 can be installed by going to the Software Update section of the Settings app on the Vision Pro and opting into Beta Updates. So far, no major new features have been discovered in these three updates, though there are undoubtedly some minor feature tweaks and bug fixes that we'll learn about when Apple's release notes become available. These betas are accompanied by iOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1, which will introduce Apple Intelligence. There are no Apple Intelligence features in tvOS and visionOS as of yet. While we don't always know what's included in minor tvOS and visionOS updates, we inform MacRumors readers when updates are available so those who are developers can download new software upon release.This article, "Apple Seeds visionOS 2.1 and tvOS 18.1 Release Candidates" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/21/apple-watchos-11-1-release-candidate/

2024-10-21 17:15:03

Apple Seeds macOS Sequoia 15.1 Release Candidate
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Apple today provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate version of an upcoming macOS Sequoia 15.1 update, with the new software coming one week after Apple released the seventh beta. Registered developers can opt-in to the ‌macOS Sequoia‌ beta through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. An Apple ID associated with an Apple Developer account is required to get the beta. ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.1 introduces the first Apple Intelligence features, adding support for Writing Tools, new Siri features, Smart Replies in Mail and Messages, Priority messages in the Mail app, Memory Movie and Clean Up in Photos, and more. The update does not include Image Playground, Genmoji, or more advanced ‌Siri‌ functionality. Using Apple Intelligence features requires a Mac that has an Apple silicon chip.Related Roundup: macOS SequoiaRelated Forum: macOS SequoiaThis article, "Apple Seeds macOS Sequoia 15.1 Release Candidate" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/21/apple-seeds-macos-sequoia-15-1-release-candidate/

2024-10-21 17:15:01

Apple Seeds iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 Release Candidates With Apple Intelligence
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Apple today provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate versions of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 to continue testing Apple Intelligence features. The release candidate software comes a week after Apple seeded the seventh iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 betas. The updates can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update. Note that Apple Intelligence features still an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 to run. Apple Intelligence includes Writing Tools that are available wherever text can be selected and edited, and it can be used for spell checking, fixing grammar, rewriting with a new tone, and summarizing text. Siri has a new design with a subtle glow around the display, and there is a Type to ‌Siri‌ feature so you don't have to speak to ‌Siri‌. ‌Siri‌ can follow along if you stumble over your words, and can maintain context between requests. Safari can summarize articles, and there's a new Reduce Interruptions Focus Mode. Smart replies are available in Messages and Mail, plus the Mail app surfaces time sensitive messages and puts them at the top of your inbox. Photos has a Memory Movie feature for creating slideshows based on text descriptions, and you can record, transcribe, and summarize phone calls. Transcription and summarization are also available for any audio recording. More on all of the features that are available in the betas right now can be found in our Apple Intelligence guide. Image Playground, Genmoji, and other new ‌Siri‌ features have not yet been implemented. The update also includes phone call recording and transcription on all devices, plus it adds the option to take spatial photos on the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro models.This article, "Apple Seeds iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 Release Candidates With Apple Intelligence" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/21/apple-ios-18-1-release-candidate/

2024-10-21 16:30:01

Tesla Plans to Release Apple Watch App That Will Work as a Digital Key
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Tesla last week updated its iPhone app with new Control Center controls on iOS 18. In addition, the latest version of the app added hidden code references to an upcoming Apple Watch version of the app, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. The code indicates that it will be possible to use the Apple Watch as a digital key to remotely unlock compatible Tesla vehicles. Currently, this functionality is only available through unofficial, third-party Apple Watch apps on the App Store. Earlier this year, Tesla CEO Elon Musk seemed open to Tesla releasing an Apple Watch app, and the code confirms that development is underway. It is unclear when the app will be released, should it move beyond the internal development stage.Tag: TeslaThis article, "Tesla Plans to Release Apple Watch App That Will Work as a Digital Key" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/21/tesla-planning-apple-watch-app/

2024-10-21 14:30:01

Get the Apple Pencil Pro for $94.99 on Amazon, Plus Low Prices on Magic Keyboards, AirTag, and More
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Amazon this week has a few solid deals on popular Apple accessories, including the Apple Pencil Pro, M4 iPad Pro Magic Keyboards, AirTag, and MagSafe Charger. 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. Apple Pencil Starting with the Apple Pencil Pro, you can get this accessory for $94.99, down from $129.00. Although this is not an all-time low price, it's just $5 higher compared to that record low Prime Day price we saw earlier in the month. Amazon also has the USB-C Apple Pencil available for $69.00, down from $79.00. $34 OFFApple Pencil Pro for $94.99 $10 OFFApple Pencil (USB-C) for $69.00Magic Keyboard Moving to the new 2024 Magic Keyboards, you can get the 11-inch model in Black for $259.99, down from $299.00. This is a new all-time low price on this version of the accessory, and it beats the Prime Day price by about $10. $39 OFF11-inch M4 iPad Pro Magic Keyboard for $259.99 Amazon also has the 13-inch M4 iPad Pro Magic Keyboard on sale, available for $299.99 in both colors, down from $349.00. This is another record low price on the Magic Keyboard, and you'll find similar delivery estimates of late October for this model. $49 OFF13-inch M4 iPad Pro Magic Keyboard for $299.99MagSafe Charger Amazon introduced a few deals on Apple's new lineup of MagSafe Chargers earlier in the month, and one discount is still around. This week, you can get 2-meter model for $39.00, down from $49.00. $10 OFF2-meter MagSafe Charger for $39.00 The new MagSafe Chargers provide overall faster charging speeds with compatible iPhone models. When paired with a 30W power adapter, iPhone 16 models can charge at up to 25W wirelessly over MagSafe, which is 10W faster than a regular non-MagSafe Qi2 wireless charger. AirTag Finally, Amazon has both the AirTag 1 Pack and 4 Pack on sale this week at solid second-best prices. You can get the 1 Pack for $24.99 and the 4 Pack for $79.98. $4 OFFAirTag 1 Pack for $24.99 $19 OFFAirTag 4 Pack for $79.98 If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "Get the Apple Pencil Pro for $94.99 on Amazon, Plus Low Prices on Magic Keyboards, AirTag, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/21/get-the-apple-pencil-pro-for-94/

2024-10-21 12:40:02

Apple Confirms AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Features Launching in iOS 18.1 Next Week
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Apple will release iOS 18.1 next week, introducing a suite of advanced hearing health capabilities to the AirPods Pro 2 and the first Apple Intelligence features. The timing of the update was confirmed by reviewers who were given early access to the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2's new hearing health features, which are now known to be included in the update. The update will include three core features: hearing protection, hearing testing, and hearing aid functionality. Apple obtained FDA authorization for the new features last month. One of the key components of the update is the ability to conduct a hearing test directly from the iPhone. The test works by playing a series of tones across different frequencies and prompting users to respond, much like a clinical hearing test performed by audiologists. The results are stored in the Health app, and users can adjust their AirPods' audio settings accordingly. If the test indicates hearing loss, the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 can automatically configure themselves to act as hearing aids, boosting specific sounds in real time. As Apple's Vice President of Health, Dr. Sumbul Desai, explained during Apple's event announcing the feature: "After you take a hearing test, your ‌AirPods Pro‌ are transformed into a personalized hearing aid, boosting the specific sounds you need in real time, like parts of speech, or elements within your environment." The update also introduces enhanced hearing protection. The feature will continuously monitor the user's environment and reduce the impact of loud sounds, such as traffic or concerts, in real time. This function will be integrated across various listening modes, including noise cancellation and transparency mode. See reviews from The Verge, Wired, TechRadar, CNBC, and Tom's Guide, for first impressions of the feature. iOS 18.1 also includes the first Apple Intelligence features, such as Writing Tools, text and notification summaries, the ability for Siri to answer questions about Apple products, smart replies to emails and messages, a revamped Clean Up tool in Photos, and more. Further Apple Intelligence features, such as an enhanced version of ‌Siri‌ with ChatGPT integration, will arrive in another update at a later date. Related Roundup: AirPods ProTags: Apple Intelligence, HearingBuyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Neutral)Related Forum: AirPodsThis article, "Apple Confirms AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Features Launching in iOS 18.1 Next Week" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/21/airpods-pro-hearing-features-launching-in-ios-18-1/

2024-10-21 12:20:00

New Entry-Level iPad With Apple Intelligence Likely Coming Late 2025
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Apple's most affordable iPad model will receive an update with Apple Intelligence capabilities in late 2025, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has suggested. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said that the iPhone SE is expected to gain Apple Intelligence features in March 2025, with the entry-level iPad following "later in the year." Gurman went on to suggest that nearly every Apple device with a screen will support Apple Intelligence by 2026. The timeline indicates a significant gap since the last refresh of the entry-level iPad, which occurred in October 2022. The delayed update could be attributed to the technical requirements of implementing AI capabilities in a budget-friendly $349 device. The current 10th-generation ‌iPad‌ has an A14 chip that was first used in the iPhone 12 lineup, and it's getting outdated. The logical choice for the next ‌iPad‌ is the A16 that was used in the iPhone 15 models, but if Apple wants to make Apple Intelligence as accessible as possible, an A17 Pro chip or A18 chip would likely be necessary. Notably, Apple last week announced the latest iPad mini with Apple Intelligence support via a standalone press release. The company also lowered the price of the existing iPad 10 and stopped including a charger with the device in Europe. It's highly unlikely that Apple would have changed its iPad lineup in this way if an iPad 11 was imminent. It is unclear if Apple is still planning to host a Mac-focused event in October, but it seems that an iPad 11 will not be announced this month either way.Related Roundup: iPadTag: Mark GurmanBuyer's Guide: iPad (Caution)Related Forum: iPadThis article, "New Entry-Level iPad With Apple Intelligence Likely Coming Late 2025" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/21/entry-level-ipad-apple-intelligence-late-2025/

2024-10-21 10:25:01

Gurman: Apple Believes Its AI Technology Is Two Years Behind Rivals
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Some Apple employees believe that the company's in-house generative AI technology powering Apple Intelligence is more than two years behind industry leaders, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman's sources within Apple tell him that the company's own studies suggest its upcoming AI features lack the "wow factor" of rival technologies currently offered by the likes of Google, OpenAI, and Meta. For example, internal studies at Apple reportedly show that OpenAI's ChatGPT is 25% more accurate than the new Siri and can answer 30% more questions. Of course, Apple has already conceded as much, given that part of its strategy includes a partnership with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into its operating systems, providing users with the option to tap into greater generative AI assistance if they want it. Despite the setback, Gurman notes that Apple is in the unique position of presiding over a vast ecosystem of tightly integrated devices, which gives it the advantage of being able to quickly deploy new technologies across its product line. This could prove advantageous as the company works to close the AI gap with competitors, and its history of successfully entering new markets suggests it shouldn't be counted out. Apple's latest iPhone 16 series supports Apple Intelligence, as does its Macs and its iPad lineup (with the exception of the entry-level model) following last week's iPad mini 7 announcement. The first set of AI features are expected to roll out to these devices next week. Meanwhile, a new iPhone SE 4 with Apple Intelligence support is set to launch in March, with an AI-capable entry-level iPad said to be coming later in the same year. In addition, Apple is working on bringing the technology to Vision Pro, and given that AI notification summaries can be delivered to Apple Watch, Gurman suggests that by early 2026, "nearly every Apple device with a screen" will run Apple Intelligence.Tags: Apple Intelligence, Mark GurmanThis article, "Gurman: Apple Believes Its AI Technology Is Two Years Behind Rivals" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/21/apple-artificial-intelligence-years-behind-rivals/

2024-10-21 08:50:02

18 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18.1
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Apple is expected to release iOS 18.1 on Monday, October 28, bringing the first set of Apple Intelligence features to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models. This update marks the first significant step forward in Apple's AI integration, offering a new Siri contextually-aware experience and a range of additional capabilities powered by on-device machine learning and large language models. There are a handful of new non-AI related feature controls coming, too. While not all Apple Intelligence features will be available immediately, iOS 18.1 introduces several enhancements that aim to make your iPhone smarter and more intuitive. Below, we've listed 18 new things your ‌iPhone‌ will be able to do when the update rolls out later this month. Reset Your Control Center With iOS 18, Apple made the Control Center thoroughly customizable, but there's no way to roll back your changes if things get messy. Fortunately, iOS 18.1 introduces a simple way to start fresh. In Settings ➝ Control Center, you'll find a new option to reset your Control Center to its default layout. This feature is perfect if you've made too many customizations and want to return to a clean slate without manually rearranging everything. More Control Center Buttons Apple has introduced new individual toggles for Satellite and AirDrop in the Control Center, allowing users to add them as separate buttons to their Control Center configurations for the first time. Previously, both features were only available through the combined Connectivity control. Take Selfies With Camera Control Camera Control gets a selfie upgrade in iOS 18.1. Now, you can switch to the front-facing camera without touching your screen. Simply open the Camera app with a press of the Camera Control button, then swipe on the button to cycle through lens options. Look for the person icon at the top to activate the selfie camera, making it easier to capture that perfect self-portrait. Share ‌Apple Music‌ Songs on TikTok Apple Music now has an option to share ‌‌Apple Music‌‌ songs directly on TikTok. To do so, tap on Share Song and then choose TikTok from the list of apps. Sleep Apnea Detection iOS 18.1 adds support for sleep apnea detection and breathing disturbances readings on Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. After updating to iOS 18.1, you can enable sleep apnea alerts in the Health app by searching for Breathing Disturbances. Notifications won't be sent until the Apple Watch has gathered at least 10 days of data, with analysis occurring every 30 days. Note that data collection for sleep apnea and breathing disturbances only begins after the update is installed and alerts are activated. Proofread Your Text Embarrassing typos could be a thing of the past. iOS 18.1's new Writing Tools feature includes a powerful proofreading function. It not only checks for spelling and grammar errors but also suggests improvements in word choice and sentence structure. You can accept all suggestions with a single tap or review them one by one, complete with explanations. Rewrite Your Text Need to change the tone of your message? The new Rewrite tool is capable of doing just that. Whether you want your text to sound more friendly, professional, or concise, this feature can adjust your writing style without altering the core content. It's like having a personal editor at your fingertips, helping you communicate more effectively in any situation. Summarize Long Emails If you frequently suffer from inbox overload, this should be a welcome feature. When you receive a lengthy email, you'll now see a "Summarize" button that lets Apple Intelligence create a concise overview. Choose from options like a brief paragraph, key points, or even a bulleted list. This tool makes it easier to quickly grasp the essence of important messages without reading every word. Plus, your inbox now displays a brief AI-generated summary instead of the first few lines of each email, helping you prioritize your responses more efficiently. Answer Apple Product Questions Your ‌iPhone‌ becomes a knowledgeable Apple expert with iOS 18.1. ‌Siri‌ can now tap into a vast database of product information, helping you understand device features, locate settings, and even provide tutorials on how to complete tasks. It's like having Apple Support built right into your device, available whenever you need it. Offer Smart Replies to Emails and Messages Communication gets a boost with Smart Reply in iOS 18.1. When you receive an email or message, your ‌iPhone‌ will analyze the content and suggest contextually relevant responses. These quick-tap options make it easy to reply promptly and appropriately, saving you time and effort in your daily correspondence. Summarize Multiple Message Notifications Catching up on group chats is set to get a lot easier. iOS 18.1 can summarize multiple message notifications on your Lock Screen, giving you a quick overview without the need to open the app. This feature helps you stay on top of conversations without getting overwhelmed by notification overload. Create Memory Movies From a Short Description Relive your favorite moments with ease using the new Memory Movie feature. Simply provide a description like "My cat in 2024" or "Orlando in the summer," and your ‌iPhone‌ will automatically select relevant photos and choose appropriate music. You can further customize the mood and add specific scenes, turning your memories into beautiful short films with minimal effort. Remove Unwanted Objects From Photos Perfect your photos with the new Clean Up tool. This feature allows you to easily remove unwanted objects from your images. Whether it's a photobomber or a distracting element in the background, you can now tap, circle, or brush over the object to make it disappear. The tool is smart enough to preserve important elements, ensuring your main subjects remain intact. Summarize Your Audio Transcripts Turn long recordings into digestible content with the new transcription feature. When you record audio in apps like Notes, your ‌iPhone‌ can now provide a transcript along with a summary. This is particularly useful for capturing and distilling information from lectures, meetings, or interviews, making it easier to review and share key points. Reduce Your Interruptions Take control of your notifications with the new Reduce Interruptions Focus Mode. This intelligent feature filters your alerts, showing you only the most important notifications that require immediate attention. It should come in handy for when you need to concentrate but don't want to miss crucial information. Record Your Phone Calls iOS 18.1 introduces Phone call recording. During a call, you'll see a record button in the upper left corner of the display. Tap it, and after notifying all participants, the call will be recorded. These recordings are stored in the Notes app, where you can access transcripts and AI-generated summaries, making it easy to review important conversations. Summarize Web Articles Reading long articles is about to get easier with this Safari improvement. When using Reader Mode, you can now tap a button to have Apple Intelligence summarize the article for you. This feature quickly distills the main points, allowing you to grasp the essence of the content without reading every word. Generate Apple Intelligence Reports If you're curious about how Apple Intelligence is working on your device, iOS 18.1 offers transparency through the new Apple Intelligence Report. Found in the Privacy & Security section of the Settings app, this feature allows you to export your Apple Intelligence data. It requires Face ID authentication, ensuring your privacy is protected while providing insight into how AI is enhancing your ‌iPhone‌ experience.Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18Tag: Apple IntelligenceRelated Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18This article, "18 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18.1" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/21/18-new-things-your-iphone-can-do-ios-18-1/

2024-10-19 13:05:02

Top Stories: New iPad Mini, Upcoming Mac Updates, and More
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The first of a number of imminent Apple product updates arrived this week with the seventh-generation iPad mini, but what else is still in store and when can we expect to see them? On the software side, the public release of iOS 18.1 and related updates with the first Apple Intelligence features is drawing ever closer, and we can expect more of those features to arrive with iOS 18.2 before the end of the year, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more! Apple Unveils New iPad Mini With A17 Pro Chip and Apple Intelligence Surprise! While we were expecting an update for the iPad mini at some sort of Apple event toward the end of the month, Apple dropped the announcement via press release this week sooner than expected. With the iPad mini having received a design overhaul in the last generation released in 2021, this year's design remains the same, but there are number of internal upgrades led by an A17 Pro chip to add support for upcoming Apple Intelligence features. The update also includes a number of smaller changes such as faster USB-C data speeds, so be sure to check out our full buyer's guide comparison to see what's changed between the sixth- and seventh-generation iPad mini models. Is an Apple Event Still Likely This October Following This Week's Surprise iPad Mini 7 Announcement? The new iPad mini launching via press release this week is just one sign calling into question whether Apple is going to hold its rumored October product event at all. While we hadn't heard many specific rumors, another product on the potential event docket had been an 11th-generation iPad, but with Apple cutting the price of the 10th-generation model in Europe and removing the power adapter from the box there this week, a near-term update for that product now appears unlikely. Yet, we are expecting a host of M4-based Mac updates to arrive very shortly, including a major redesign for the Mac mini, so there still seems to be enough for Apple to show off in a short virtual event if it chooses to do so. iOS 18.1 Includes Option to Set 'Primary' Email Address and Change iCloud Email As we continue to inch toward a public release for iOS 18.1 and related updates, we're still discovering new features and tweaks in the update. One of the latest is a new option to change the main email address associated with your Apple Account, which is particularly handy for those who do a lot of document collaboration and other tasks that make your Apple Account address visible to other people. Apple seeded the seventh iOS 18.1 beta this week as it reportedly aims for a public release on Monday, October 28. iOS 18.2 Expected to Add These Additional Apple Intelligence Features With the first round of Apple Intelligence features coming later this month in iOS 18.1, there's plenty more yet to come in future updates. iOS 18.2 is up next, with a release expected sometime in December, and it should bring a number of new Apple Intelligence features including support for localized English in a several countries beyond the United States, image generation capabilities with Image Playground and Genmoji, Visual Intelligence for pulling up information on the world around you via the iPhone 16's camera, and integration with ChatGPT. iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Introduce These 5 New Features Yes, the iPhone 16 lineup has only been out for a month, but some users are wanting to hold off for another year and are looking ahead at what they might be able to expect with next year's iPhone 17 lineup. So far there are at least five key changes rumored to be coming to the iPhone 17 and/or iPhone 17 Pro models, including upgraded front cameras, an improved Telephoto rear camera and increased RAM on one or both Pro models, and more. We're also expecting a slimmed-down "iPhone 17 Air" to replace the current Plus model in the lineup, and we're continuing to hear rumors about what features that new model may include. MacRumors Newsletter Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view. So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!Tag: Top StoriesThis article, "Top Stories: New iPad Mini, Upcoming Mac Updates, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/19/top-stories-new-ipad-mini-7/

2024-10-18 22:35:01

22 Tips to Make Your iPhone 16's Battery Last Longer
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When Apple releases new iPhones and new operating system updates, there are often complaints about how long the battery lasts. Apple made improvements to battery life across the iPhone 16 lineup, and while these iPhones last longer than ever, some people are still seeing battery issues. Battery life problems can be caused by new features Apple has added or bugs that have yet to be addressed. Whatever the cause, we've created a list of suggestions for maximizing your iPhone's battery life. There aren't many battery saving options that don't disable key features on the ‌iPhone‌, but in situations where every minute counts, it's useful to have options. You'll need to balance battery drain with the feature set you want enabled, turning things on and off when you need to ensure your battery lasts all day. Not all of these tips are specific to iOS 18 and the ‌iPhone 16‌ models, but they will help you preserve battery whether you have an ‌iPhone 16‌ or an older device. 1. Turn Off iPhone Mirroring ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring allows you to control your ‌iPhone‌ from your Mac, and get your ‌iPhone‌ notifications on your Mac's display. Since it's on Mac, it seems like it shouldn't be using ‌iPhone‌ battery, but there is a connection there to relay notifications. Notifications still show up when the ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring app is closed on the Mac, so that constant connection might impact battery. One reader experiencing battery life issues on the MacRumors forums said turning off ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring made a notable difference. If you're not often using this option, it's worth turning it off. To disable it, go to Settings > General > AirPlay and Continuity and tap on Edit. From there, delete the Macs that your ‌iPhone‌ connects to. You can also swipe to delete a Mac from the list. 2. Delete Home Screen and Lock Screen Widgets In ‌iOS 18‌, Apple made it so you can place app icons and widgets anywhere on the ‌iPhone‌'s hidden grid, so you might be using widgets more often than before. If that's the case, it's worth noting that widgets can have an impact on battery life. If you're not using a particular widget on your Home Screen or Lock Screen regularly, it might be best to remove it to preserve battery life. On the ‌Home Screen‌, you can long press and tap the "-" button to remove a widget. On the Lock Screen, you can actually set up several different Lock Screen options, so you could create one that has widgets and one that doesn't, using the latter when you're low on battery. To add or edit Lock Screens, long press on the Lock Screen and choose either the "Customize" or the "+" button. On the MacRumors forums, one user said turning off Lock Screen widgets dropped overnight battery usage from 20 percent to 10 percent. 3. Use Dark Mode and Dark Mode Icons Turning on Dark Mode has long been a suggested way to preserve battery life, because OLED displays draw less power when displaying darker colored pixels. A 2021 Purdue study found that using ‌Dark Mode‌ on a sunny day outside can save you up 47 percent battery power, which can make a major difference. Lower levels of brightness in Light Mode use the same battery as higher levels of brightness in ‌Dark Mode‌, which explains why ‌Dark Mode‌ can save battery even when screen brightness is turned up. When your screen brightness is lower, such as when you're in a dim room, swapping to ‌Dark Mode‌ doesn't save as much battery life, but it still draws a little less power. In ‌iOS 18‌, you can set a Dark option for your icons that turns them darker when ‌Dark Mode‌ is enabled (or all the time, if you prefer). Dark icons are easier on the eyes when ‌Dark Mode‌ is on, and it might save just a little extra battery life. 4. Be Mindful of Control Center Controls ‌iOS 18‌ has a customizable Control Center where you can use the Controls Gallery to choose your controls, including third-party controls. You can change the size of Control Center toggles, and use multiple pages. Some Control Center toggles are animated, and animations can have an effect on battery life. It's probably not a major impact, but worth knowing about. One of the bigger offenders is the full-size Music Control Center toggle, which shows album art and has playback controls. Home app controls also need to update whenever the Control Center updates, and these controls that refresh might drain some battery. Customize Control Center by long pressing on the display and tapping the "-" button by any controls you want to remove. 5. Remove Your Lock Screen Controls In ‌iOS 18‌, you can finally swap out or remove the Camera and Flashlight buttons on the ‌iPhone‌. If you've ever accidentally activated one of those buttons while your ‌iPhone‌'s in your pocket, you know that leaving on the Flashlight or the Camera for an extended period can definitely impact battery life. If you're prone to hitting those buttons, it's worth removing them. You can do so by long pressing on the Lock Screen, tapping on Customize, and then tapping the "-" button next to the icons. 6. Turn Off ProMotion Display If you have an iPhone 16 Pro or another "Pro" ‌iPhone‌ that supports a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, turning it down to 60Hz might extend your battery life. Since Low Power Mode limits the display refresh rate to 60Hz, it's definitely a measure that works to preserve battery. Turning on Low Power Mode is one way to disable ProMotion, but there's a more permanent Accessibility setting. Open the Settings app, go to Accessibility, tap on Motion, and then toggle on "Limit Frame Rate." 7. Disable Live Activities Live Activities let apps keep an ongoing notification on the Lock Screen or Dynamic Island. Combined with the Always-On display of the iPhone 14 Pro, 15 Pro, and 16 Pro, Live Activities can drain your battery. Live Activities can be turned off by following these steps: Open up the Settings app. Go to Face ID & Passcode. Enter your passcode to unlock the ‌iPhone‌. Scroll down and toggle off Live Activities. This will prevent Live Activities from showing up on the Lock Screen, but you'll want to take this one step further. In the individual app sections in the Settings app, you can disable Live Activities on an app-by-app basis, or avoid using Live Activities features within apps. You can't fully disable the ‌Dynamic Island‌, but you can swipe left on any running animation to dismiss it. 8. Turn Off Proximity AirDrop Sharing When you hold two iPhones running iOS 17 or later together, the ‌iPhone‌ initiates a proximity-based AirDrop or contact transfer protocol. If you're continually triggering this, it can drain battery. Should you find yourself in a situation where your ‌iPhone‌ is near another ‌iPhone‌ often enough that AirDrop continually pops up, you might want to turn it off. To do so, go to Settings > General > AirDrop and toggle off "Bringing Devices Together." 9. Take Advantage of Offline Maps Since iOS 17, you've been able to download Apple Maps for offline usage. It's useful for when you don't have a cellular connection, but it can save battery even if you do. If you're traveling in an area where you have a somewhat spotty connection, downloading a map for that spot and then turning off cellular will preserve your battery life without impacting your ability to get turn-by-turn directions. We have a dedicated how-to that walks you through downloading a map for offline usage, but it's as simple as searching for a location in Maps, tapping the download button, and then selecting the area of the map to download. 10. Disable Haptic Keyboard Feedback Apple has a keyboard option that gives you haptic feedback when you tap the on-screen keys. It vibrates with each key tap for a more satisfying typing experience, but what you might not know is that it drains battery. Apple has a support document that says keyboard haptics can affect battery life, so it's not something you want to use when you don't have battery to spare. It's not on by default, but if you've enabled it, you can turn it off by following these steps: Open up the Settings app. Tap on Sounds & Haptics. Tap on Keyboard Feedback. Toggle off Haptic. 11. Turn Off Always-On Display As the name suggests, the Always-On display on some Pro ‌iPhone‌ models leaves the time, your wallpaper, widgets, and Live Activities visible on the Lock Screen even when your ‌iPhone‌ is locked. The display uses a 1Hz refresh rate to preserve battery, and Apple has neat tricks like turning off the display when a connected Apple Watch is no longer nearby (signaling that the ‌iPhone‌ owner is out of the room) or the ‌iPhone‌ is in a pocket, but Always-On display still drains battery faster than an Always-Off display. You can turn off the Always-On display by following these steps: Open up the Settings app. Tap on Display & Brightness. Tap on Always On Display. Toggle off Always On Display. Just how much battery Always-On display drains will depend on your use case, so it may or may not be worth turning off. 12. Use Focus Modes Using Apple's built-in Focus option can cut down on the number of notifications that you're receiving during the day, and fewer notifications means less opportunity for apps to wake up your display and cause battery drain. Focus modes let you choose which apps and people can send you notifications and when, so during work hours you can make sure you're only getting work notifications, and during personal time, you can limit your work notifications. Focus filters even let you filter out select emails, messages, calendars, and more. With Apple Intelligence, Apple is adding a new "Reduce Interruptions" Focus Mode that can intelligently filter out what's not important, while still delivering what you need to see immediately. Toggling this on removes all of the hassle of setting up a Focus mode, but it has all of the benefit. You can also use the "Intelligent Breakthrough and Silencing" toggle with every Focus mode you make to get the same effect, so you'll never miss something important. Apple Intelligence is coming in iOS 18.1, set to be released in late October. You'll still get all of your notifications when a Focus mode ends, but all in one alert rather than multiple.
https://www.macrumors.com/guide/iphone-16-battery-saving-tips/

2024-10-18 21:25:01

iPhone 16 Pro Bug Causing Random Freezing and Restarts
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There appears to be a bug with some iPhone 16 models that is causing random restarts, according to complaints on Reddit, the MacRumors forums, and the Apple Support Communities. Affected users are seeing their iPhones freeze unexpectedly and then reboot. Reports about the issue have been ongoing since the ‌iPhone 16‌ models first launched in September, and have continued to this week. The iOS 18.0.1 and iOS 18.1 updates do not fix the issue, as it has continued to happen to users even after installing the latest software. The problem seems to pop up randomly. The display will stop responding or will be very slow to respond to touch input, and then the iPhone will do a quick restart. There have also been reports of the ‌iPhone‌ restarting unexpectedly when in StandBy mode. Some users who contacted Apple shortly after the new iPhones launched were able to get replacement devices, but have had the issue reoccur. Almost all of the complaints are about the iPhone 16 Pro or ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max, so it may only be the Pro models that are impacted. For most people, the issue is sporadic, but some users have seen 10 to 20 crashes per day. In some cases, doing a fresh install and not reinstalling from an iCloud Backup seems to have fixed the problem, so it is possible that this is a bug related to ‌iCloud‌. Let us know in the comments below if you've been experiencing this freezing and crashing issue.Related Roundup: iPhone 16 ProBuyer's Guide: iPhone 16 Pro (Buy Now)This article, "iPhone 16 Pro Bug Causing Random Freezing and Restarts" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/18/iphone-16-pro-restart-bug/

2024-10-18 19:20:01

Best Apple Deals of the Week: Magic Keyboards Hit Best-Ever Prices, Plus Apple Watch and Anker Sales
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This week's best deals included record low prices on Apple accessories like the Magic Keyboard for the M4 iPad Pro, as well as discounts on a few Apple Watch models. We're also still tracking great deals on Anker and Jackery accessories as we head into the weekend. 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. Apple Accessories What's the deal? Save on Apple's first party accessories Where can I get it? Amazon Where can I find the original deal? Right here $29 OFF11-inch M4 iPad Pro Magic Keyboard for $269.99 $49 OFF13-inch M4 iPad Pro Magic Keyboard for $299.99 $10 OFF2-meter MagSafe Charger for $39.00 This week we tracked a few deals on Apple's Magic Keyboards for iPad and the new MagSafe Charger. Although some of these have since expired, you can still get all-time low prices on both Magic Keyboards for the M4 iPad Pro, and the 2-meter MagSafe Charger. Anker What's the deal? Take 20% off Anker accessories Where can I get it? Anker Where can I find the original deal? Right here EXCLUSIVE 20% OFFAnker Sitewide Sale Our Anker partnership continued this week, giving our readers an exclusive 20 percent discount on Anker's best chargers, portable batteries, and more. You'll need to enter the code akmacrumors20ch at checkout to see the discount, and can find more information about what accessories work with the code in our original post. Samsung Monitors What's the deal? Take up to $780 off Samsung monitors Where can I get it? Amazon $300 OFFSamsung 32-inch Smart Monitor M80D for $399.99 $780 OFFSamsung 27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K Monitor for $819.98 Samsung's popular 32-inch Smart Monitor M8 (Model M80D) is down to $399.99 on Amazon, down from $699.99. This is the newest model of the Smart Monitor M8, and this is an overall second-best price, coming just $20 higher when compared to the Prime Day price. Amazon also has a the 27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K Monitor for $819.98, down from $1,599.99, and this one is an all-time low price. Apple Watch What's the deal? Take up to $64 off Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 10 Where can I get it? Amazon Where can I find the original deal? Right here $27 OFFApple Watch Series 10 (42mm GPS) for $371.28 $64 OFFApple Watch Ultra 2 (Black) for $734.89 Amazon hosted a few low prices on the Apple Watch Series 10 this week, with solid markdowns on both the 42mm and 46mm GPS models still available. You can also get the Ultra 2 in Black for a second-best price on Amazon. Jackery What's the deal? Save on Jackery portable power stations Where can I get it? Amazon Where can I find the original deal? Right here UP TO $900 OFFJackery on Amazon Jackery's best portable power stations and accessories hit low prices on Amazon this week, with up to $900 off select devices. We've compiled the full list of accessories on sale below, and note that you'll only need to clip an on-page coupon for one of the discounts. Explorer 100 Plus with Solar Panel - $179.00, down from $229.00 Solar Generator with Mini Solar Panel - $269.00, down from $349.00 Solar Generator 300 Plus - $419.00, down from $499.00 Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station - $459.00 with on-page coupon, down from $799.00 Explorer 500 - $502.99, down from $799.00 Explorer 3000 Pro Generator - $1,899.00, down from $2,799.00 Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "Best Apple Deals of the Week: Magic Keyboards Hit Best-Ever Prices, Plus Apple Watch and Anker Sales" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/18/best-apple-deals-of-the-week-10-18-24/

2024-10-18 18:30:01

All-New 'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Feature Single 48MP Rear Camera, 8GB of RAM, and More
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In recent months, several credible sources have claimed that Apple plans to release a redesigned, significantly thinner iPhone 17 model next year. The device's name is not yet known, so we are referring to it as the "iPhone 17 Air" for now. There have been conflicting rumors about the design and specifications for the device, but most sources have agreed that it will have around a 6.6-inch display. In July, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he expects the device to have a standard A19 chip, a Dynamic Island, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G modem. In a research note this week with investment bank Haitong International, analyst Jeff Pu agreed that the slim iPhone 17 model will have a 6.6-inch display, and an A19 chip manufactured with TSMC's same 3nm process that is used for the A18 Pro chip. He also expects the device to feature an aluminum frame, Face ID, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, a 24-megapixel front camera, and 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence. Pu expects the slim iPhone 17 model to have a noticeable new design compared to previous iPhone models. He said the device will be a mid-tier iPhone that replaces the Plus model, as he does not expect an iPhone 17 Plus in next year's lineup. Apple will likely unveil the "iPhone 17 Air" in September 2025, so the device is still far away from launching, and some features could change over time. Pu has proven to be a mostly-accurate source of info for upcoming Apple products.Related Roundup: iPhone 17Tag: Jeff PuThis article, "All-New 'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Feature Single 48MP Rear Camera, 8GB of RAM, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/18/iphone-17-air-rumored-features/

2024-10-18 17:35:04

Lapz App Lets You Watch Formula 1 Races on Apple Vision Pro
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For Formula 1 fans, there's a new app called Lapz that is designed to provide an immersive F1 experience on the Apple Vision Pro headset. Users can watch multiple race feeds from different angles, see stats, and view a 3D version of the track that has icons that show where each driver is located in the race. Different windows can be arranged in the virtual space around the Vision Pro wearer for a customizable experience focusing on what's most important to each user. The app was created in part by John LePore, who created a concept of an interactive experience back in 2018, and won second place in the F1 Innovation Prize contest that year. What was then just a concept is now a functional app that only became possible after Apple launched the Vision Pro. LePore is also known for working with Marvel Studios to create futuristic interfaces and gadgets for movies like Iron Man and Black Panther. Forbes highlighted a demonstration video from a Vision Pro user, and called the app "the best reason yet to buy a Vision Pro." Lapz is available as a TestFlight beta right now, and those who want to try out the app can sign up for the TestFlight on the Lapz website.Related Roundup: Apple Vision ProBuyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Buy Now)Related Forum: Apple Vision ProThis article, "Lapz App Lets You Watch Formula 1 Races on Apple Vision Pro" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/18/lapz-formula-1-app-vision-pro/

2024-10-18 17:20:02

Apple Seeds Sixth Beta of visionOS 2.1
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Apple today seeded the sixth beta of an upcoming visionOS 2.1 update to developers for testing purposes. The sixth beta comes just days after Apple released the fifth beta. visionOS 2.1 can be installed by going to the Software Update section of the Settings app on the Vision Pro and opting into Beta Updates. No major new features have been found in visionOS 2.1, though there are likely minor feature changes and bug fixes that we'll learn about when release notes become available. visionOS 2.1 is expected to see a launch alongside iOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1 on Monday, October 28.Related Roundup: visionOS 2Related Forum: Apple Vision ProThis article, "Apple Seeds Sixth Beta of visionOS 2.1" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/18/apple-seeds-sixth-beta-of-visionos-2-1/

2024-10-18 15:45:01

Best Buy Introduces Massive Discounts on M3 MacBook Pro for Members, Get Up to $700 Off
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Best Buy today introduced new all-time low prices on a few models of the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro exclusively for members. Non-members can still find solid second-best prices on these computers, but My Best Buy Plus/Total members can get an extra $200 off select notebooks this week. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. The highlights of the sale include the 8GB/1TB 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro for $1,299.00, down from $1,799.00, and the 16GB/1TB model for $1,499.00, down from $1,999.00. Both of these represent $500 discounts and are new record low prices for each model. Note: Select deals available only to My Best Buy members. UP TO $700 OFFM3 MacBook Pro Deals at Best Buy If you're shopping for the bigger model, the steepest discount at Best Buy is on the 48GB/1TB M3 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro, available for $3,299.00 for members, down from $3,999.00. In addition to this model, Best Buy has every other 16-inch M3 MacBook Pro on sale right now for solid second-best prices. Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "Best Buy Introduces Massive Discounts on M3 MacBook Pro for Members, Get Up to $700 Off" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/18/best-buy-m3-macbook-pro-2/

2024-10-18 15:15:01

Apple Discontinues Powerbeats Pro, But They Will Return Next Year With Heart Rate Monitoring
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Apple at some point in the past week or so discontinued the Powerbeats Pro, around five and a half years after the wireless earbuds launched. Powerbeats Pro are a sportier, fitness-focused alternative to AirPods Pro with built-in, adjustable ear hooks for a secure fit. Key features of the original Powerbeats Pro include the H1 chip that debuted in the AirPods 2, IPX4-rated sweat and water resistance, up to nine hours of battery life, and silicone ear tips with four size options. In a short teaser video last month, Apple revealed that it will be launching new Powerbeats Pro 2 next year. The earbuds look similar to the original Powerbeats Pro, but they have a more vertical, slimmer design. MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris later discovered iOS 18 code revealing that the Powerbeats Pro 2 will feature heart rate monitoring during workouts, and gain support for Active Noise Cancellation, Spatial Audio, and Adaptive Audio. Powerbeats Pro 2 images in iOS 18 code The leaked iOS 18 code also revealed new orange, purple, black, and beige color options for the Powerbeats Pro 2 and their charging case. Based on other recent Beats headphones, other potential upgrades for the Powerbeats Pro 2 include improved sound quality, longer battery life, a USB-C charging case, and improved cross-platform compatibility with Android features like Find My Device. Apple did not reveal a specific release date in 2025 for the Powerbeats Pro 2. The rumored heart rate monitoring feature has also been rumored for the AirPods Pro in the past, so perhaps the feature will extend to the AirPods Pro 3.Tags: Beats, Powerbeats ProThis article, "Apple Discontinues Powerbeats Pro, But They Will Return Next Year With Heart Rate Monitoring" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/18/apple-discontinues-powerbeats-pro/

2024-10-18 14:05:01

New iPad Mini Ships With iPadOS 18.0, Apple Intelligence Coming Later
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Just like iPhone 16 models, the new iPad mini is likely to launch without Apple Intelligence, but the features should be available on the device soon. Geekbench results for the iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip list the device as running iPadOS 18.0, instead of iPadOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence. Last month, a private account on social media platform X with a proven track record of sharing upcoming iOS versions mentioned a special build of iPadOS 18.0 for the iPad mini 7, and it appears that the device will indeed come preinstalled with iPadOS 18.0 out of the box when it begins arriving to customers on Wednesday, October 23. Fortunately, new iPad mini owners shouldn't have to wait too long for Apple Intelligence. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman this week reiterated his expectation that iPadOS 18.1 will be released on Monday, October 28, so Apple Intelligence should be available on the new iPad mini merely five days after the device launches. Apple's press release for the new iPad mini had already mentioned that the first Apple Intelligence features would be available on the device starting with an iPadOS 18.1 software update this month, and now the situation is fully clear. The first Apple Intelligence features include writing tools, notification summaries, and more.Related Roundup: iPad miniBuyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPadThis article, "New iPad Mini Ships With iPadOS 18.0, Apple Intelligence Coming Later" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/18/new-ipad-mini-ships-with-ipados-18-0/

2024-10-17 23:15:01

iPhone 16 Users Complain About Excessive iOS 18 Battery Drain
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Some iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro users have been experiencing excessive and unexplainable battery drain, according to complaints on Reddit, the Apple Support Communities, and the MacRumors forums. While many of the reports are from ‌iPhone 16‌ users, older iPhones running iOS 18 may also be experiencing battery life issues. There is a long-running ‌iOS 18‌ battery life complaint thread on MacRumors that was started while the update was still in beta, but there have been a fresh wave of complaints following ‌iOS 18‌'s launch and the debut of the ‌iPhone 16‌ models. Affected ‌iPhone 16‌ owners have seen significant battery drain even when the iPhone is not in use. From MacRumors reader T1aaj: Yes I own the 16 pro and battery life goes down to almost 60% from 100% halfway through the day, through no heavy use. Definitely needs to be fixed, should've kept my 15 pro! From JulianL: I'm getting horrible battery life with my new 16 Pro Max. I upgraded from a 15 Pro Max - upgraded to iOS 18 and with battery health of 99% when I sold it. With Apple quoting better battery life spec for the 16 I was excited to see how much more run time I would get. The answer? I now get 50 to 60% of time between charges vs what I got with my 1 year old 15 Pro Max. Really disappointing. All Settings the same including background refresh globally disabled, screen max refresh set to 60Hz and data locked to 4G (because for my use I see absolutely no difference in how my phone functions when I set all those settings so I might as well set them for optimal battery life). I got my 16PM on launch day so it's 19 days old now; any early days indexing and other background setup stuff should be well and truly over by now. In some cases, much of the battery drain happens in standby mode when the ‌iPhone‌ isn't in use, suggesting a background activity could be causing problems for some users. Using the phone seems to cut the battery drain in these instances. From huanbrother: The 16 Pro has horrible standby battery life when sleeping (it is not connected to my Apple Watch), and as you can see from the graph, it runs background activities like crazy. But, guess what, I turned off AOD(but this shouldn't be the case when in sleep mode it was off anyways) and turned on frame limit in accessibility (not low power mode) to turn off ProMotion, boom, the background craze disappeared! However, the battery drain wasn't fixed, 4hours and 20minutes it drained 11%, from 70% to 59%. From kirbysmartdawg: Clearly, something isn't right on Apple's end. The idle battery drain is excessive. This morning, I unplugged my phone at 9 a.m., and it held at 95% (my charging limit) for only 20 minutes before starting to drop rapidly. Every five minutes, I lost a percentage until I finally picked it up to use it. Now it seems to have stabilized a bit, but I'm really puzzled by this behavior. There are similar complaints about the ‌iPhone 16‌ models and older iPhones running ‌iOS 18‌ on Reddit, and while we always see reports of battery life issues when a new version of iOS comes out, there seems to be a definite uptick in the number of people having problems. From Reddit user Ok-Interest-6561: I upgraded from my iPhone 12 and got new 16 Pro. I upgraded mostly because of battery and speaker issues but I observed that even though 16 has "better battery" and more battery life, it drains around 10-15% overnight doing nothing just laying on my bedside table. On Reddit, one user did an experiment with an ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and an iPhone 14 Pro, and claimed to have used both in the same way. The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ dropped to 58 percent battery life within 36 hours, while the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro was at 85 percent. Battery drainage issues are difficult to diagnose because ‌iPhone‌ usage habits vary so much from person to person and from day to day. Impacted users have tried turning off ProMotion, disabling the Always On display, turning off background app refresh, removing widgets, turning off cellular, and entirely resetting their iPhones. Some people have seen improvement with some of these methods, but not all have, and the battery life issues persist for many despite troubleshooting. Some users reported improvement with iOS 18.0.1 and the iOS 18.1 beta, but software updates have not worked for everyone. It is not clear exactly what's going on to impact battery, but it's sounding like there is an underlying bug that Apple will need to fix in a future ‌iOS 18‌ update.This article, "iPhone 16 Users Complain About Excessive iOS 18 Battery Drain" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/17/iphone-16-battery-drain-complaints/

2024-10-17 22:05:02

Apple Preparing to Add ChatGPT Integration to Siri
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Apple is working behind the scenes to get ready to add new Apple Intelligence features to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15. We'll get the first set in the iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS 15.1 updates, but Apple is preparing for the next batch, too. In backend code, MacRumors has discovered new references to Siri's ChatGPT integration as Apple prepares to implement ChatGPT support. ‌Siri‌ code mentions options for ChatGPT-generated text and ChatGPT-generated images, two features that Apple plans to implement soon. ChatGPT integration with ‌Siri‌ was announced as part of the Apple Intelligence feature set highlighted at the Worldwide Developers Conference, and it is functionality that Apple plans to introduce before the end of the year. ChatGPT integration is not in the current software that Apple is testing, but we are expecting it to come in iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2. Mentions of ‌Siri‌ with ChatGPT integration first surfaced earlier in October, and we've also seen references to Visual Intelligence, another AI feature that Apple is working on. The separate mentions of images and text are new today, and it's clear that Apple is continuing behind-the-scenes work to get these features ready for launch. With ChatGPT integration, when users ask ‌Siri‌ a complicated question that the personal assistant is unable to handle, ‌Siri‌ will suggest handing the query off to ChatGPT. ChatGPT will provide relevant information, which will be relayed through ‌Siri‌. ChatGPT will be able to generate both text and images, and while Apple Intelligence includes some of this functionality, ChatGPT is more advanced. Apple's Writing Tools, for example, can offer spelling and grammar assistance or change the tone of something that's already written, while ChatGPT will be able to generate text from scratch with a simple prompt. Image Playground and Genmoji will allow for the creation of cartoon-like images and custom emoji, but ChatGPT's image generation features will be able to be used for more realistic images. ‌Siri‌ will reference the latest GPT-4o model, and ChatGPT integration will be free with no account creation required. Apple and OpenAI will not store ChatGPT requests made from Apple devices, and IP addresses will be hidden. As for Visual Intelligence, it is an iPhone 16 feature that uses the Camera Control button. ‌iPhone 16‌ users will be able to point their camera at objects or locations around them, with the iPhone providing information about what's being viewed when the Camera Control button is pressed and held. iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.1 are expected to see a release on Monday, October 28, and we'll likely get the first betas of iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.2 shortly after. If testing follows other .2 updates, the software will be released at some point in December. Along with ChatGPT integration and Visual Intelligence, iOS 18.2 could bring support for the Image Playground image generation feature, Genmoji, and Image Wand, a Notes app feature for generating images from text or basic drawings.Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS SequoiaTags: Apple Intelligence, SiriRelated Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS SequoiaThis article, "Apple Preparing to Add ChatGPT Integration to Siri" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/17/apple-siri-chatgpt-integration/

2024-10-17 21:05:01

Apple TV+ to Offer Behind-the-Scenes Coverage of 2024 World Series in Three-Part Documentary
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Apple today announced it has partnered with Major League Baseball and Imagine Documentaries on a new three-part documentary that will offer "behind-the-scenes coverage" of the upcoming 2024 World Series. The currently-untitled docuseries will be made available on Apple TV+, but a release date has yet to be disclosed. Apple said the docuseries will explore the "dramatic, high-stakes world" of the World Series and each team's battle to win the championship, and offer interviews with players and their family members, coaches, fans, and journalists. New York Yankees legend and five-time World Series champion Derek Jeter will serve as an executive producer. The 2024 World Series is expected to begin in late October, but the two teams who will compete for the championship have yet to be determined. In the American League Championship Series, the New York Yankees have a 2-0 lead over the Cleveland Guardians in the best-of-seven series. In the National League Championship Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers have a 2-1 advantage over the New York Mets in that best-of-seven series. The winning teams in those series will face each other in the World Series. Apple TV+ has been the home of MLB's "Friday Night Baseball" for three consecutive seasons, and the service has also offered documentaries about the NFL's New England Patriots, NBA star Stephen Curry, Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi, and more.Tag: Apple TV PlusThis article, "Apple TV+ to Offer Behind-the-Scenes Coverage of 2024 World Series in Three-Part Documentary" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/17/apple-tv-plus-2024-world-series-documentary/

2024-10-17 18:35:01

Developers Now Required to Share Phone Number and Address on EU App Store to Meet 'Trader' Requirement
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Apple today reminded developers that the EU trader requirement in the European Union is now being enforced. Developers who distribute apps in the EU will now need to share information that includes address, phone number, and email address on the EU App Store. Submitting updates for apps on the ‌App Store‌ in the European Union now requires trader information that's added via ‌App Store‌ Connect, with those details shared on each developer's ‌App Store‌ page. App updates can no longer be submitted without trader information, and starting on February 17, 2025, apps that do not have a trader status set will be removed from the ‌App Store‌ in the EU until trader status is provided and verified. The Digital Services Act (DSA) in the European Union requires Apple to verify and display trader contact information for all "traders" who are distributing apps on the ‌App Store‌ in the European Union. Developers who make money from the ‌App Store‌ through either an upfront purchase price or through in-app purchases are considered traders, regardless of size. Contact information for each developer that is considered a trader will be publicly available, and there will undoubtedly be some developers that are unhappy with the requirement. Independent developers and small companies may not have dedicated business addresses and phone numbers to provide, and will likely be reluctant to provide their personal contact information. Apple warned developers about the upcoming trader status requirement earlier this year. As of now, trader information has to be provided before an app can be submitted for review. Displaying trader status is a Digital Services Act requirement in the European Union, which means Apple has to implement the feature. Developer contact information will be displayed on the ‌App Store‌ product page when an app is distributed in any of the 27 territories in the EU. More information on determining who is a trader and who needs to provide contact details can be found on Apple's website.Tags: App Store, Apple Developer Program, European UnionThis article, "Developers Now Required to Share Phone Number and Address on EU App Store to Meet 'Trader' Requirement" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/17/developers-eu-app-store-trader-requirements/

2024-10-17 14:30:01

Apple Announces New Klarna and PayPal Integrations for Apple Pay on iOS 18
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In June, Apple discontinued its "buy now, pay later" service called Apple Pay Later, which let qualifying customers split a purchase made with Apple Pay into four equal payments over six weeks, with no interest or fees. Instead, Apple said customers in the U.S. would be able to apply for loans from select other "buy now, pay later" services when they check out with Apple Pay on the web and in apps on iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. Affirm payment plans have been available through Apple Pay since last month, and competing service Klarna announced that it is integrating with Apple Pay in the U.S. and the U.K. starting today, and in Canada in the coming months. iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 users can select "Other Cards & Pay Later Options" when checking out with Apple Pay to access payment plans available from Klarna and Affirm. For example, Klarna offers an interest-free "Pay in 4" payment plan for purchases totaling between $35 and $2,000, which is similar to what Apple Pay Later offered. Apple also announced an upcoming integration with PayPal. Starting next year, customers in the U.S. will be able to see their PayPal balance when using their PayPal debit card in the Wallet app on the iPhone, according to Apple.Related Roundups: Apple Pay, iOS 18, iPadOS 18Related Forums: Apple Music, Apple Pay/Card, iCloud, Fitness+, iOS 18, iPadOS 18This article, "Apple Announces New Klarna and PayPal Integrations for Apple Pay on iOS 18" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/17/apple-pay-klarna/

2024-10-17 13:25:01

Apple Shares Letter Celebrating 10-Year Anniversary of Apple Pay
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Apple today shared a letter celebrating the upcoming 10-year anniversary of Apple Pay, which launched in the U.S. on October 20, 2014 as part of iOS 8.1. Here is the full letter from Jennifer Bailey, Apple's vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet:When we started our journey with Apple Pay 10 years ago, we saw a unique opportunity to leverage Apple’s hardware and software to make a meaningful impact on the financial health and lives of our customers. From the outset, we envisioned a world where you could use your iPhone to seamlessly pay for everything — from groceries to train tickets, in person and online, across the globe — all while keeping your personal and financial information safe and private. Today, Apple Pay is used by hundreds of millions of consumers in 78 markets, at checkout on millions of websites and apps, in tens of millions of stores worldwide, and is supported by more than 11,000 bank and network partners. We hear from customers every day about how much they love the ease, security, and privacy protections Apple Pay provides in their daily lives, and how much they enjoy using it across their devices — including iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac. One of my earliest memories of realizing how Apple Pay was positively impacting consumers’ lives was when we rolled out Apple Pay for transit in Tokyo, which is used by millions of travelers every day. I watched in awe as people quickly tapped their iPhone or Apple Watch to pay while passing through the turnstiles — no need to fish out any cash, cards, or coins from their wallets, or even unlock or wake their device. It’s a great example of how Apple Pay’s seamless and secure customer experience delivers convenience and peace of mind to consumers around the world, whether they’re commuting to work, shopping online, or picking up their morning coffee. We know how important it is for customers to feel secure and trust that their financial transactions are private when making a payment. That’s why we’re always working to safeguard consumers, while also enabling banks to have industry-low levels of fraud for Apple Pay transactions. And it’s also why Apple Pay was designed to protect users’ highly sensitive personal and financial information, like their card number, which is never shared with merchants. Our customers trust that when they use Apple Pay anywhere, they can have the peace of mind that their payments are protected. Looking ahead at what’s next for Apple Pay, we are excited to now bring our users more ways to pay, including the option to redeem rewards and access installment loans from Apple Pay-enabled issuers and lenders right at checkout with Apple Pay online and in-app on iPhone and iPad. This gives consumers greater flexibility in how they pay with the easy and trusted Apple Pay experience they already know and love. It also provides Apple Pay-enabled issuers and lenders with new ways to connect with their customers, and make their rewards and installment offerings even more accessible. Beyond payments, we’re also advancing our broader vision of replacing users’ physical wallets with an easy, secure, and private digital wallet — Apple Wallet. Today, users can seamlessly and securely add and access eligible event tickets, transit cards, keys, government IDs, and more all from Apple Wallet. And we’re always looking for new ways to make using Apple Wallet convenient while delivering unparalleled security and peace of mind. The last decade was an incredible journey, and we’re thrilled that so many people around the world are enjoying the experience that Apple Pay and Apple Wallet provide. I can’t wait to see what the next 10 years have in store.Related Roundup: Apple PayRelated Forum: Apple Music, Apple Pay/Card, iCloud, Fitness+This article, "Apple Shares Letter Celebrating 10-Year Anniversary of Apple Pay" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/17/apple-celebrates-10-years-of-apple-pay/

2024-10-17 12:40:01

FTC 'Click to Cancel' Rule Aims to Make Canceling Subscriptions Easier
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced a final "click to cancel" rule that aims to simplify the process of ending subscriptions and memberships for US consumers. The new rule will require businesses to make cancellation processes as straightforward as sign-up procedures, and companies will be prohibited from forcing customers to use chatbots or speak with agents to cancel subscriptions that were originally initiated online or through an app. For memberships started in person, businesses must offer cancellation options by phone or online. In a statement accompanying the Commission's press release, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan said: "Too often, businesses make people jump through endless hoops just to cancel a subscription. The FTC's rule will end these tricks and traps, saving Americans time and money. Nobody should be stuck paying for a service they no longer want." The rule will apply to almost all negative option programs across all media. It also requires sellers to provide clear information before obtaining billing details and to secure informed consent for negative option features prior to charging customers. The move follows a significant increase in consumer complaints about subscription practices, according to the FTC. In 2024, the government agency received an average of nearly 70 complaints per day related to negative option and recurring subscription issues, up from 42 per day in 2021. The Commission voted 3-2 to approve the final rule, with two Republican commissioners opposing it. Some initially proposed measures were dropped, including requirements for businesses to send annual reminders about recurring charges. The new regulation is set to take effect 180 days after publication in the Federal Register. The regulation is part of the FTC's efforts to modernize its 1973 Negative Option Rule and address unfair practices, and follows recent legal actions against major companies like Amazon and Adobe over their subscription practices.Tag: FTCThis article, "FTC 'Click to Cancel' Rule Aims to Make Canceling Subscriptions Easier" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/17/ftc-click-to-cancel-rule-end-subscriptions-easier/

2024-10-17 11:35:01

iPad Mini 7 Charging Speed Likely Remains at 20W
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The seventh-generation iPad mini's charging speed is capped at 20W, according to a Chinese regulatory filing. The new ‌iPad mini‌'s charging speed has seemingly been confirmed through a China Compulsory Certificate (3C) certification report (spotted by 91Mobiles), revealing that the new model has the same charging specification as its immediate predecessor. According to the 3C certification, the seventh-generation ‌iPad mini‌ (model A2996) supports 20W "fast charging," using a 9VDC x 2.22A power output. This is the same wattage as the sixth-generation ‌iPad mini‌, which also featured a 20W USB-C charger. The listing also mentions a 45W adapter, but the ‌iPad mini‌'s actual charging speed is capped at 20W. This limitation puts it behind several competitors in the market, such as the OnePlus Pad 2, which boasts 67W fast charging. The 2021, sixth-generation ‌iPad mini‌ gained 20W charging thanks to the implementation of a USB-C port, 8W more than the fifth-generation ‌iPad mini‌, which had a Lightning port. The iPad Air is similarly capped at 20W, but tests show that the iPad Pro can reach charging speeds of up to 30W. Apple's focus on optimizing long-term battery life may be one reason why charging speeds remain relatively conservative across its product lines. Faster charging can generate additional heat, which can reduce battery lifespan over time. Related Roundup: iPad miniTags: 91Mobiles, China, Fast ChargingBuyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPadThis article, "iPad Mini 7 Charging Speed Likely Remains at 20W" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/17/ipad-mini-7-charging-speed-remains-at-20w/

2024-10-17 09:45:01

Apple Secretly Developed Long-Range EV Battery Tech with China's BYD
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Apple secretly collaborated with Chinese automaker BYD to develop long-range electric vehicle battery technology as part of its now-nixed Apple Car project, according to Bloomberg. Beginning around 2017, the partnership focused on creating a battery system using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells. The joint effort aimed to produce batteries with longer range and improved safety compared to typical EV batteries of the time. Apple reportedly brought expertise in advanced battery packs and heat management, while BYD contributed manufacturing know-how and advancements in LFP cell technology. The collaboration was part of Apple's since-canceled car project, which the company invested approximately $1 billion per year in over the past decade. Although Apple doesn't own the technology used in BYD's current Blade batteries, the partnership reportedly influenced the development of BYD's battery systems. The project is said to have been led by Alexander Hitzinger on Apple's side, with a team of about 50 battery engineers overseen by Mujeeb Ijaz. Michael He, vice president of BYD's battery business, led the efforts for the Chinese company. Despite the years of collaboration, Apple eventually moved away from the partnership and explored systems from other battery makers. Apple ultimately canceled its car project in February 2024 after executives decided it was not a viable project. While Apple's car ambitions didn't materialize, the battery development work reportedly contributed to other areas of the company's technology portfolio, including the Vision Pro headset and Neural Engine AI processor. Read our Apple Car roundup for more details about the canceled project.Tag: BloombergRelated Forum: Apple, Inc and Tech IndustryThis article, "Apple Secretly Developed Long-Range EV Battery Tech with China's BYD" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/17/apple-ev-battery-tech-china-byd/

2024-10-16 23:35:01

What You Should Know About Apple's 5G Modem
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For the last several years, Apple has been working to create its own 5G modem, with the eventual goal of eliminating the need to use third-party modem technology. Apple's 5G modem is inching closer to completion, and we could see the first iPhone with an Apple modem in 2025. This guide covers everything we know about Apple's 5G modem development. First Products With Apple's 5G Modem Swapping out a modem chip might not sound like a big deal, but tweaking cellular technology can have a major impact. Apple has to make sure that its 5G modem is as good or better than 5G chips from its current modem supplier Qualcomm before transitioning to its own technology. For that reason, we're expecting the 2025 iPhone SE 4 to be the first Apple device with the Apple-designed 5G modem. It is a lower volume device than a flagship smartphone, and it will let Apple see modem performance at scale in consumer hands before bringing the Apple modem to the main ‌iPhone‌ line. According to current rumors, ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 will come out in early 2025, likely sometime before April. After Apple releases the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 with Apple modem, we could see it in a second device as soon as September 2025. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested that the ultra-thin iPhone 17 "Air" or "Slim" that's in development will also use the Apple modem. Apple will ship an estimated 35 to 40 million ‌iPhone‌ units with the Apple modem in 2025, and from there, if all goes well, more iPhones will adopt the technology in 2026 and 2027. No mmWave 5G? In September, DigiTimes suggested that Apple's first 5G modem chip would not support faster mmWave technology, and would instead be limited to sub-6GHz 5G. mmWave 5G is the fastest 5G, but it is short range and limited to big venues and major cities. In suburban and rural areas, sub-6GHz is used. Sub-6GHz isn't as fast as mmWave 5G, but it is much longer range, which makes it more viable for widespread use. ‌DigiTimes‌ believes that Apple will continue to rely on Qualcomm modems for ‌iPhone‌ models that support mmWave, which is essentially U.S. iPhones. mmWave is still limited in availability in many countries, so Apple only has mmWave-capable modems in iPhones sold in the United States. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has also said that one of the modem chips that Apple is developing does not have mmWave 5G, so that lends some extra credibility to the ‌DigiTimes‌ report. Possible All-in-One Chip A recent report from 9to5Mac suggested that Apple's first modem chip would in fact be more than just a modem, combining 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS into a single chip. That does not align with what we've heard from Gurman, however. While Apple is said to be working on an all-in-one chip, it isn't something that is expected for some time. Gurman believes the first version of the Apple 5G modem will not measure up to Qualcomm technology, and that the first custom design won't bring noticeable benefits for users. Apple is hoping that the modem will eventually evolve into a more advanced component, cutting down on the need for multiple chips to save money and internal space. With the two separate reports, it is not clear if the Apple chip will be a standalone modem or a chip that incorporates multiple components, but given reports of development difficulties, Apple might not be at the all-in-one chip point. Qualcomm Dispute Right now, all iPhones use Qualcomm 5G modems, and Apple has to buy the modem chips and pay a patent licensing fee for using Qualcomm technology. Back in 2017, Apple sued Qualcomm over anticompetitive patent licensing practices and also claimed that Qualcomm had failed to pay more than $1 billion in royalty rebates. After filing the lawsuit, Apple attempted to cut ties with Qualcomm and opted to use only Intel modem chips in the 2018 ‌iPhone‌ XS/XR models and the 2019 ‌iPhone‌ 11 lineup. Apple had used Intel chips for some iPhones in the past, opting for a mix of Qualcomm and Intel modems in different regions, but Apple wanted to stop relying on Qualcomm entirely. Intel-only chips were fine for the 2018 and 2019 iPhones, but for the 2020 ‌iPhone‌ 12 lineup, Apple wanted to transition to 5G technology. Apple's plan was to use Intel 5G chips, but Intel struggled with development. Intel missed developmental deadlines, and it became clear that Intel 5G chips were not going to happen. Apple needed the 5G modems from Intel to be functional and ready to test by summer 2019, and completed chips needed to be shipped to Apple in early 2020, which wasn't going to happen. Apple spoke with Samsung and Mediatek about the possibility of 5G modems to avoid having to make amends with Qualcomm, but it turned out Qualcomm modems were the only option. In April 2019, Apple settled with Qualcomm and the two companies dropped all litigation. Apple paid Qualcomm $5 to $6 billion in late royalty fees, and agreed to continue to pay ongoing patent royalties for every ‌iPhone‌ manufactured, plus the company signed a six-year licensing deal with Qualcomm. The 2020 iPhones ended up using Qualcomm's 5G chips, and every ‌iPhone‌ after that has also used Qualcomm technology. Apple most recently extended its modem licensing deal with Qualcomm through March 2027, so we will likely see Qualcomm modems in some devices up until then as Apple transitions to its own technology. Intel Purchase Just after Apple settled with Qualcomm, Intel announced plans to exit the 5G modem business. Intel was not able to make a 5G modem to compete with Qualcomm, and that was the end of Intel's modem business. Intel met customer commitments for existing 4G modems, but then-Intel CEO Bob Swan said there was "no clear path to profitability and positive returns" in the smartphone modem business. Intel decided to sell off its modem business, and Apple ultimately opted to acquire it. In July 2019, Apple and Intel inked a deal that saw Apple purchasing the majority of Intel's smartphone modem business. Approximately 2,200 Intel employees joined Apple, and Apple also took over Intel's related intellectual property, equipment, and leases, in a transaction valued at $1 billion. With the Intel purchase, Apple became the owner of more than 17,000 wireless technology patents, and the Intel employees joined Apple's cellular technologies group. The purchase was aimed at helping Apple accelerate 5G modem development, but Apple has still faced delays and design issues. Development Issues There have been rumors about iPhones adopting an Apple-designed modem chip since 2023, which is when the technology was meant to be ready. Kuo said in mid-2022 that Apple's modem work had "failed," leading to stalled development and a launch delay. Gurman said in late 2023 that Apple was forced to postpone the debut of an Apple modem until 2025 or 2026 due to development setbacks, and he claimed that the technology could "lag behind the competition by years." Apple has reportedly experienced issues with the Intel code it has been working with. Engineers have had to do rewrites, and adding new functionality has caused existing features to break. Apple also has to avoid infringing on Qualcomm patents with the chip, adding another layer of complexity. A September 2023 report from The Wall Street Journal suggested that Apple has run into problems because it had unrealistic goals, a poor understanding of the challenges involved in modem development, and completely unusable prototypes. Chips tested in late 2022 were allegedly "three years behind Qualcomm's best modem chip," and in danger of making the ‌iPhone‌'s wireless speeds slower than competitors. Release Date It's looking like we'll see the first Apple modem in the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4, which is expected in early 2025. From there, Apple will likely expand the technology to other devices, using a mix of Qualcomm and custom-designed chips until its own work on 5G modems is advanced enough to phase out Qualcomm entirely.This article, "What You Should Know About Apple's 5G Modem" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-5g-modem/

2024-10-16 22:35:02

Amazon Launches First Kindle With Color Display
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Amazon today refreshed its popular Kindle e-reader lineup, introducing the first Kindle that has a color display. The $280 Kindle Colorsoft has a 7-inch high-contrast display that Amazon says offers "paper-like color." While Amazon has released tablets with traditional LCD displays that support color, the Colorsoft is E Ink like Amazon's other Kindle tablets, but with new technology that allows for color. Amazon is using LED pixels and a new oxide backplane for color without impacting resolution or increasing latency when turning pages. There have been rumors that Apple has tested electronic paper display (EPD) technology for future devices, including color EPD, which is similar to what Amazon has just rolled out. Back in 2022, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple tested E-Ink's Electronic Paper Display for future foldable tablet applications, and he said that color EPD could perhaps become a mainstream solution for the cover screen of a foldable iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Color e-ink is still newer technology, but there are other products like the Remarkable Paper Pro that use it. Amazon says that the Kindle Colorsoft is its brightest Kindle yet, and the display is able to adjust the front light for any lighting condition. It continues to have a 300 pixel-per-inch resolution for black and white, with a 150 pixel-per-inch resolution for color. Amazon today also unveiled an updated $400 Kindle Scribe that supports notetaking with a white-bordered display and a screen that has a paper-like texture. It comes with a Premium Pen that feels like an actual pen, complete with a soft-tipped eraser for erasing. AI integration allows for summaries and bullet point lists of notes taken, and notes can be refined to have a more readable font. Other new additions include the latest Kindle Paperwhite, which Amazon says is its fastest to date with 25 percent faster page turns, and a new matcha color for the entry-level Kindle. The Kindle Colorsoft will ship on October 30, while the Kindle Scribe will ship on December 4. Other Kindles are available now.Tag: AmazonThis article, "Amazon Launches First Kindle With Color Display" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/16/amazon-kindle-color-display/

2024-10-16 21:40:01

iPad 11 Now Seems Unlikely to Launch This Year
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Given recent events, it now seems unlikely that Apple will update its entry-level iPad this year. First and foremost, Apple lowered the price of the iPad 10 and stopped including a charger with the device in Europe this week, and there is a low chance that Apple would have proceeded with those changes if an iPad 11 was imminent. Second, Apple's announcement of a new iPad mini in a standalone press release this week further suggests that the iPad 11 is not coming soon. In his newsletter last month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said "new, lower-end iPads" were likely to be unveiled at Apple's next event "in the coming weeks," alongside the first Macs with M4 chips. It is unclear if Apple is still planning to host a Mac-focused event later this month, but it seems that an iPad 11 will not be announced this month regardless. Apple released the iPad 10 in October 2022, and it features a 10.9-inch display and an A14 Bionic chip. It is unclear when the iPad 11 will be released given these recent developments, but 2025 at the earliest seems like a safe bet at this point.Related Roundup: iPadBuyer's Guide: iPad (Caution)Related Forum: iPadThis article, "iPad 11 Now Seems Unlikely to Launch This Year" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/16/ipad-11-now-seems-unlikely-this-year/

2024-10-16 20:35:02

Apple's Chief People Officer Leaves Company After 20 Months
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Apple's chief people officer Carol Surface is leaving the company, reports Bloomberg. Surface joined Apple in February 2023, so she has been at the company less than two years. Most senior executives are at Apple for much longer periods of time, and it is not clear why Surface is leaving. She was hired when Apple decided to split its primary human resources role from retail last year, and she reported directly to Apple CEO Tim Cook. Deirdre O'Brien had been handling both the retail and people (or HR) role, but when Surface took over, O'Brien transitioned to just overseeing retail. With Surface leaving, O'Brien will once again oversee both people and retail. Surface was previously the chief human resources officer at Medtronic, and the chief people officer title was created when she joined Apple.This article, "Apple's Chief People Officer Leaves Company After 20 Months" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/16/apple-chief-people-officer-departs-company/

2024-10-16 19:20:01

Apple Will Let Verified Businesses Display Logos in Apps Like Mail, Phone, and Wallet
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Apple today announced an update to its Apple Business Connect feature, designed to allow any verified business to create a consistent branding and location presence across apps that include Maps, Wallet, Phone, and Mail. Using Business Connect, companies are able to sign up to display their brand in the Phone app when a call is placed to an iPhone user, or in the Mail app to make an incoming email more recognizable. Businesses can sign up for Branded Mail today, with logos appearing to customers later this year when iOS 18.2 is released. In 2025, companies will be able to use Business Caller ID, which will show their name, logo, and department on an inbound call screen. There's also now an option for businesses to display their logo in Tap to Pay on ‌iPhone‌, rather than a category icon. Apple says this change will help customers ensure they're making a payment to a verified business. Businesses have been able to claim and manage their location place cards for Maps using Business Connect, but now Business Connect is also available to businesses that operate a service or that operate online without a physical location. More information on signing up for Business Connect can be found on Apple's website.Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18This article, "Apple Will Let Verified Businesses Display Logos in Apps Like Mail, Phone, and Wallet" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/16/apple-business-connect-new-features/

2024-10-16 18:50:01

Surgeons at UCSD Find Apple Vision Pro Promising for Minimally Invasive Surgery
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Surgeons at the University of California, San Diego have been testing the Apple Vision Pro for surgeries, and have performed more than 20 minimally invasive operations while wearing the headsets. Surgeon and director of the Center for Future Surgery at UCSD, Santiago Horgan, recently spoke with Time to provide some commentary on the Vision Pro's performance. According to Horgan, the Vision Pro could be "more transformative" than robotic devices that are used to assist in surgeries. While the Vision Pro is expensive for consumers, it is affordable for hospitals compared to most medical equipment, and it is widely available technology that many hospitals around the country will be able to take advantage of. During laparoscopic surgeries, doctors send a camera through a small incision, and the camera's view is shown on a nearby screen. Doctors have to watch the screen while also operating on the patient, a process that the Vision Pro streamlines. Horgan says that surgeons need to look over at CT scans, monitor vitals, and more while doing these surgeries, and all of that information can be viewed through the Vision Pro instead. This prevents surgeons from having to contort their bodies in odd positions, cutting down on discomfort while performing surgeries. While Horgan has tried other headsets like Google Glass and Microsoft's HoloLens, the displays were not good enough. But the Vision Pro has high-resolution OLED displays, and the result has turned out to be "better than [UCSD surgeons] even expected." In surgeries that involve the Vision Pro, doctors, assistants, and nurses all wear the headsets instead of looking at screens, and no patients have opted out of the Vision Pro surgeries. UCSD is also testing the Vision Pro's ability to create 3D radiology imaging, and the team may also test it in other medical applications. More on how the Vision Pro and other similar devices are being tested for medical use is outlined in the full Time article.This article, "Surgeons at UCSD Find Apple Vision Pro Promising for Minimally Invasive Surgery" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/16/ucsd-surgeons-apple-vision-pro/

2024-10-16 18:05:01

Apple Releases New macOS Sequoia 15.1 Public Beta With Apple Intelligence
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Apple today released a new macOS Sequoia 15.1 public beta, allowing non-developers to test the software ahead of its October 28 launch. The latest beta comes a day after Apple provided the seventh beta to developers. Public beta testers who have signed up for Apple's beta testing program can download the ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.1 update by opening up the Settings app, tapping into the Software Update section and selecting the Public Beta option. iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.1 are the first updates that includes Apple Intelligence features. Not all AI capabilities have been added, but the beta includes Writing Tools, Siri updates, summaries, AI-powered Focus modes, and smart replies. To use Apple Intelligence features, you need an iPhone 15 Pro, an iPhone 16 model, or M-series Mac or iPad. Writing Tools are available whenever text can be selected and edited, and the feature can be used for spell checking, correcting grammar, rewriting your work with a new tone, and summarizing text. ‌Siri‌ has been overhauled with a new design that includes a subtle glow around the display, and Type to ‌Siri‌ means you don't have to speak to ‌Siri‌ to get answers. ‌Siri‌‌ can follow along if you stumble over your words, and can maintain context between requests. Safari can summarize articles, and there's a new Reduce Interruptions Focus Mode that intelligently highlights only important notifications. Smart replies are available in Messages and Mail, plus the Mail app surfaces priority time sensitive messages and puts them at the top of your inbox. Photos has a Memory Movie feature for creating slideshows based on text descriptions, and there is a Clean Up tool for unwanted objects in your photos. More on all of the features that are available in the betas right now can be found in our Apple Intelligence guide. Image Playground, Genmoji, and other new ‌Siri‌ features have not yet been implemented.Related Roundup: macOS SequoiaRelated Forum: macOS SequoiaThis article, "Apple Releases New macOS Sequoia 15.1 Public Beta With Apple Intelligence" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/16/apple-releases-new-macos-sequoia-public-beta/

2024-10-16 15:45:01

Apple's Supply Chain Gears Up for MacBook Pro Models With M4 Chips
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Apple's supply chain is gearing up for new MacBook Pro models with M4 chips, which are expected to be announced this month, according to DigiTimes. "Apple is expected to unveil new MacBook Pro models equipped with the latest M4 chip in October, which could boost related component shipments," says the paywalled report, published today. "This trend is evident in the revenue reports from component manufacturers such as Jarllytec and Shin Zu Shing for September." Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously reported that Apple plans to announce its first Macs with M4 series chips this year, including a 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 chip, 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips, an iMac with the M4 chip, and a redesigned Mac mini with M4 and M4 Pro chips. Apple already debuted the M4 chip in the iPad Pro earlier this year, but it has yet to announce the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. The entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 chip seemingly already leaked in Russia in recent weeks, and those leaks revealed that the MacBook Pro lineup might finally start with 16GB of RAM instead of 8GB. The leaked 14-inch MacBook Pro has no major external design changes, but it does appear to have an additional, third Thunderbolt 4 port compared to the current entry-level model with two Thunderbolt 3 ports. It is currently not entirely clear if Apple plans to announce the first Macs with M4 chips at a virtual event this month, or with press releases only. Yesterday, Apple announced a new iPad mini with Apple Intelligence support in a press release. In any case, it appears that new Macs are just around the corner. Related Roundup: MacBook Pro 14 & 16" Tag: DigiTimesBuyer's Guide: 14" & 16" MacBook Pro (Don't Buy)Related Forum: MacBook ProThis article, "Apple's Supply Chain Gears Up for MacBook Pro Models With M4 Chips" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/16/m4-macbook-pro-supply-chain-report/

2024-10-16 14:50:02

Amazon Takes Up to $64 Off Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 10 in New Sales
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Amazon this week is discounting a collection of Apple Watch models, including the new Series 10 and Black Ultra 2 devices. Apple Watch Series 10 Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. You can get the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10 for $374.28, down from $399.00. This price is available in the Rose Gold Aluminum with Plum Sport Loop model, but there are also a few devices at only a few dollars higher. This price range remains the lowest we've seen the Series 10 drop to date. $24 OFFApple Watch Series 10 (42mm GPS) for $374.28 The 46mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10 is available for $402.91 in the Jet Black Aluminum with Black Sport Band color, down from $429.00. Similar to the smaller model, you can find a few more models on sale on Amazon right now for just a few dollars more, including the Rose Gold and Silver Aluminum options. $27 OFFApple Watch Series 10 (46mm GPS) for $402.91Apple Watch Ultra 2 Amazon has the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in Black Titanium for $734.89, down from $799.00 in multiple band styles. This is an overall second-best price on the Black Apple Watch Ultra 2, but it's just about $5 higher when compared to the all-time low price we tracked over Prime Day. $64 OFFApple Watch Ultra 2 (Black) for $734.89 If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "Amazon Takes Up to $64 Off Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 10 in New Sales" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/16/apple-watch-ultra-2-series-10-sales/

2024-10-16 11:50:01

Apple Cuts Entry-Level iPad Price in Europe, Removes Charger From Box
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Yesterday we noted that the new iPad mini 7 does not come with a charger in the box when sold in European countries, and it turns out that the same now also applies to entry-level iPads sold by Apple across the continent. Since its release in 2022, Apple's most affordable iPad has come with a USB-C charger in Europe, but the debut of the new iPad mini on Tuesday would have left it as the only remaining device in Apple's iPad lineup to do so. The latest iPad Pro and iPad Air models, introduced earlier this year, do not include a charger in the box when purchased in Europe. All of these devices only include a USB-C cable. The change brings parity to Apple's iPad lineup, and is likely in response to forthcoming EU regulations regarding electronic waste, though Apple has also removed the charger from iPad and iPad mini boxes in the United Kingdom, which is not in the EU. However, the British government has just launched a consultation to explore the possibility of mandating USB-C as the standard charging port for electronic devices, and it's hard to imagine it won't largely reflect EU legislation. In tandem with the change, Apple also quietly cut the price of the iPad across Europe, shaving €30 off its original €449 price. The new starting price for the 10th-generation device in the EU is now €409. Meanwhile in the United Kingdom, Apple's cheapest iPad got a £20 cut and now starts at £329, down from £349. The price of the entry-level iPad remains unchanged in the United States, but customers there still get a 20W USB-C charger as part of the package. Related Roundup: iPadTag: EuropeBuyer's Guide: iPad (Caution)Related Forum: iPadThis article, "Apple Cuts Entry-Level iPad Price in Europe, Removes Charger From Box" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/16/apple-reduces-pad-price-europe-no-charger/

2024-10-16 10:20:01

UK Considers Adopting USB-C as Common Charging Standard
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The UK government has launched a consultation to explore the possibility of mandating USB-C as the standard charging port for electronic devices, potentially aligning with similar regulations recently adopted by the European Union. The Office for Product Safety and Standards, part of the Department for Business and Trade, is seeking input from manufacturers, importers, distributors, and trade associations on the potential benefits and challenges of implementing a common charging standard across the UK. This move comes after the EU passed legislation in 2022 requiring most portable electronic devices to use USB-C for charging by December 2024. The EU's decision aimed to reduce electronic waste and improve charger interoperability. The UK government, which previously stated it was not considering similar rules, is now exploring whether adopting USB-C as a standard would benefit businesses, consumers, and the environment. The consultation will run for eight weeks, ending on December 4, 2024. Key points under consideration include: Standardizing USB-C as the common charging port Implementing harmonized fast-charging technology Allowing consumers to purchase devices without chargers Introducing labeling requirements for charging information The government acknowledges that many manufacturers of smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, and laptops have already adopted USB-C for the UK market voluntarily to avoid supply chain complexities. For example, Apple, which long resisted changing its proprietary Lightning port, adopted USB-C for new iPhones last year, while the last few Lightning products are likely to make the transition next year. However, the government says it seeks to understand the implications of formally implementing such requirements. Notably, the new iPad mini, announced on Tuesday, will not include a charger in the box for several European countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. The change is likely in response to EU regulations regarding electronic waste, but even some European countries that are not part of the EU are impacted.Tags: United Kingdom, USB-CThis article, "UK Considers Adopting USB-C as Common Charging Standard" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/16/uk-considers-usb-c-common-charging-standard/