MacRumors

Apple is preparing to sell new Beats-branded charging cables, according to placeholder product listings on a handful of reseller websites in Canada and Europe.

There are listings for three different 5-foot/1.5-meter cables, including USB-C to USB-C, USB-C to Lightning, and USB-C to USB-A variants. All of the cables have a tangle-free, braided design for extra durability and convenience. The cables will be available in at least three never-before-seen color options, including Bolt Black, Surge Stone, and Rapid Red, and it appears that they will be sold in one-pack and two-pack varieties.

The USB-C to USB-C cable supports 60W fast charging, and it has USB 2.0 data transfer speeds of up to 480 Mbps, according to one of the listings.

Here is the full product description for that cable:

Elevate your charging game and ditch the tangles, kinks and frays with our new reinforced braided cables. This package includes two 1.5-meter Beats USB-C to USB-C woven charging cables.

Key Selling Points
• Each cable is made with a tangle-free woven design for extra durability and convenience.
• Beats cables undergo thousands of hours of testing throughout the design and manufacturing process and are reinforced to help prevent fraying.
• Compatible with all USB-C Apple and Android devices, the braided cables are built for charging, syncing, audio, CarPlay, and transferring data.
• The cable lets you charge USB-C compatible Beats headphones or speakers while you listen to audio or stream lossless audio.
• They support fast charging of up to 60 watts and can transfer data at USB 2.0 rates. For fast, efficient charging, pair a USB-C cable with a USB-C power adapter and conveniently charge your compatible iPhone or other devices from a wall outlet.
• USB-C power adapter not included.

The cables were added to one reseller's website on Monday, March 24, while another lists an estimated in-stock date of Tuesday, April 8, but it is unclear if that date is accurate. Apple and Beats have yet to make any official announcements.

The USB-C to USB-C cable is listed at $24.95 in Canadian dollars, so it could be priced below $20 in U.S. dollars on Apple's online store.

The cables are designed for use with Apple devices, Android devices, and Beats headphones and speakers, according to the listings. However, they do not have any unique features compared to other equivalent cables, aside from having Beats branding. For Apple, the cables would help to boost the company's accessories revenue.

Apple acquired Beats in 2014, in part to gain access to the Beats Music app's underlying technologies, which helped it to launch the Apple Music streaming service the following year. Apple also gained ownership of the popular line of Beats headphones and speakers, and it released the first-ever Beats-branded iPhone cases last year. Now, it looks like Beats-branded cables will be the latest chapter of the story.

Apple regularly refreshes the MacBook Pro models, and a new version that uses M5 series chips is in the works. Apple just finished refreshing most of the Mac lineup with M4 chips, and now it's time for the M5. Rumors suggest that we could see the first M5 ‌MacBook Pro‌ models this fall.

Design

There have been no rumors of a design update for the M5 ‌MacBook Pro‌ models that are coming this fall, so we are expecting the same look as the current models. There might be minor updates, but most of the changes will be internal.

Apple probably won't change the design of the ‌MacBook Pro‌ until it transitions to OLED display technology, and that's not rumored to happen until 2026 at the earliest.

M5 Chips

The ‌MacBook Pro‌ will use M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max chips. The entry-level 14-inch model will be available with the M5, while the higher-end 14-inch models and 16-inch models will have the more advanced M5 Pro and M5 Max chips.

Apple's M5 chips will be manufactured on a 3-nanometer process like the M4 chips, but Apple is planning for new technology that will give the M5 lineup an edge over M4 chips.

Apple manufacturing partner TSMC plans to use a more advanced (System on Integrated Chip) SoIC packaging technology for the M5 chips. SoIC technology allows for the stacking of chips in a 3D structure, for better electrical performance and thermal management. TSMC has developed a next-generation hybrid SoIC package that uses thermoplastic carbon fiber composite molding technology.

The chips are expected to be faster, more power efficient, and better at handling AI and machine learning tasks. Apple also plans to use M5-series chips for the AI servers that power its Apple Intelligence and machine learning features.

Future MacBook Pro Rumors

Apple is working on an OLED ‌MacBook Pro‌, and that's really the model to wait for. It's supposed to be coming as soon as 2026, and it will bring notable improvements in display quality. OLED offers improved brightness, better contrast with deeper blacks, and improved power efficiency.

The 2026 ‌MacBook Pro‌ could also have a 5G modem, a first for the Mac, and it's expected to have Apple's next-generation 2-nanometer chip.

Release Date

Mass production on M5 chips is expected to start in 2025, so we could see the first Macs with M5 technology somewhere around the fall of 2025. Last year, Apple refreshed the ‌MacBook Pro‌ models in October 2024, so October 2025 would make sense.

Utah today passed the App Store Accountability Act, a law that requires mobile app stores from Apple and Google to verify the age of users rather than having individual apps do age verification.

According to CNBC, Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed the bill this afternoon. It is the first law related to mobile app store age verification that has passed in the U.S., and it will require Apple to verify user age when an Apple Account is created. If a child under the age of 18 opens an account, Apple will need to link the account to a parent's account, and parents will have to consent to app purchases.

Ahead of when Utah's law passed, Apple announced new age assurance features that are designed to make children safer online. During account setup, Apple will ask for the age range of the person using the device, and if the account is for a child under the age of 13, parents will be able to use a Connect to Family option to provide parental consent.

Apple also updated its age range categories for apps, and created a Declared Age Range API for developers that provides an age range to ensure that kids don't see content in apps that is meant for adults. Apple's system is not full age verification, and Apple has said that it does not want to collect date of birth info at the ‌App Store‌ level because all users would need to hand over that information regardless of whether they want to use an age limited app.

While only a fraction of apps on the App Store may require age verification, all users would have to hand over their sensitive personally identifying information to us-regardless of whether they actually want to use one of these limited set of apps. That means giving us data like a driver's license, passport, or national identification number (such as a Social Security number), even if we don't need it. And because many kids in the U.S. don't have government-issued IDs, parents in the U.S. will have to provide even more sensitive documentation just to allow their child to access apps meant for children. That's not in the interest of user safety or privacy.

Apple believes that requiring invasive data like driver's licenses, passport numbers, and Social Security Numbers to verify age would violate user privacy and safety, but it is not clear if the new system meets Utah's requirements.

Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta has been pushing for the app store age verification legislation, arguing that age verification at the platform level is the simplest solution. Requiring the ‌App Store‌ and Play Store to confirm user age will mean that Meta does not have to invest resources into age verification procedures, and it would not be the target of outrage over the content that children are exposed to.

Utah's law is set to go into effect on May 7, but it may be delayed due to legal challenges.

Apple is going all out with promotions for the popular Severance Apple TV+ show today, and as of right now, you'll find a new "Lumon Terminal Pro" listed on Apple's Mac site.

The Lumon Terminal Pro is designed to look similar to the machines that Severance employees like Mark S. and Helly R. use for macrodata refinement. The Terminal features a blue keyboard, a small display with wide bezels, and a trackball for navigation purposes.

Unfortunately, you can't actually buy a Lumon Terminal Pro, though it would undoubtedly sell well to Severance fans. Apple's page links to the company's actual Macs, and to a behind the scenes editing video that Apple shared this morning.

The second season of Severance wrapped up last Thursday, so the entire series is now available to stream on ‌Apple TV‌+. Apple renewed Severance for season three, and Severance director Ben Stiller has promised that it won't take another three years for us to get another season.

Samsung this week announced the launch of a few next-generation Odyssey gaming monitors, and you can get a $50 discount right now if you make a reservation for pre-orders. The new lineup includes the Odyssey 3D, Odyssey OLED G8, Ultrawide Odyssey G9, and the new ViewFinity S8.

The Odyssey 3D ($1,999.99) is a 27-inch monitor that features support for 3D gaming without the need of dedicated glasses. Samsung is partnering with a few developers to showcase the 3D features of the monitor, and it'll be available in games including Lies of P and The First Berserker: Khazan.

The Odyssey OLED G8 is available in 27-inch ($1,299.99) and 32-inch sizes, featuring vibrant colors with glare-free technology. The monitor also features a 240Hz refresh rate and .03ms GtG response time to enhance gaming performance, as well as integrated bias lighting on the back of the display.

The Ultrawide Odyssey G9 ($999.99) features a 49-inch Dual QHD display and 1000R curve, with a 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. There are also a few multitasking abilities on the monitor, with Picture-by-Picture and Picture-in-Picture features, allowing two different devices to be viewed at the same time.

Finally, Samsung is also launching the 37-inch ViewFinity S8 monitor ($599.99), which makes it the largest 16:9 4K Samsung monitor to date. The screen is approximately 34 percent larger than the previous generation, and it features a 4K display and HDR10.

The three Odyssey gaming monitors are available to reserve for pre-order today. If you do, you'll get a $50 credit to use on your future pre-order of the monitors. This only requires you to enter your name and email, so even if you're unsure you'll go through with a pre-order, it's worthwhile to snag the $50 discount during the reservation period.

This offer will be live through April 8, after which you'll be able to use the $50 discount on a pre-order until April 22.

In other Samsung news, we're also still tracking a few deals on Samsung's connected health products like the Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Ring, as well as savings on Samsung TVs, smartphones, and home appliances.

And finally, Samsung has just launched its latest budget phones, the Galaxy A26 starting at $299.99 and the Galaxy A36 starting at $399.99. As part of the launch, Samsung has an enhanced trade-in offer worth up to $150, plus you can get 50% off the Galaxy Buds FE earphones or Galaxy Fit3 smartwatch when you bundle a purchase with one of the new phones.

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.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today shared bad news for fans of the iPhone mini.

In a live-streamed Q&A session today, Gurman said that Apple currently has no plans to reintroduce a smaller iPhone model.

Apple discontinued the iPhone 13 mini in September 2023, and it has not offered a mini model since then. Apple is not expected to release an iPhone 17 mini this year, and Gurman's revelation likely rules out an iPhone 18 mini next year too, given Apple's multi-year planning and development cycle for future iPhone models.

Since it discontinued the third-generation iPhone SE last month, Apple no longer offers any new iPhone models with under a 6-inch screen size. All of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models that Apple currently sells have between 6.1-inch and 6.9-inch displays, whereas the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini had 5.4-inch displays. The final iPhone SE had a 4.7-inch display, albeit with thicker bezels that increased the device's overall size.

While there is a vocal group of customers who wish that Apple would bring back the iPhone mini, the smaller model simply never sold well enough for the company to continue offering it, according to market research firms. It is not much of a surprise that Apple is not currently reconsidering this decision, but it helps to set expectations for those who may still be holding out hope. Do not expect another iPhone mini any time soon.

The full Q&A audio stream can be replayed on Bloomberg's website.

Apple today shared a new "Behind the Mac" video that's focused on hit Apple TV+ show Severance, demonstrating how Macs were used for editing the series.

The 11-minute video is accompanied by an in-depth article with additional details, but be warned, there are season two spoilers in both the video and the article.

According to Severance editor Geoffrey Richman, the final episode of the series was one of the most difficult to edit. One scene had 70 angles and takes to choose from, so he used a single multicam clip to play nine angles simultaneously to choose the most ideal shots. There was around 83TB of footage to comb through.

Richman primarily uses an iMac, and because he works remotely, he connects to a Mac mini that runs professional video editing software Avid. When he's on the go, he's still able to work on a MacBook Pro thanks to the syncing between Macs.

The video that Apple shared has a lot more insight into the editing process, along with some of the concepts and ideas that the team took into account when working on Severance season two.

The second season of the show wrapped up last week, and the entire season is now available for streaming on ‌Apple TV‌+.

We're in the middle of Amazon's "Big Spring Sale," which includes deals and offers on everything from Apple devices to clothes, kitchen electronics, furniture, and much more. The new event is set to run through March 31, so you'll have a few days of discounts to shop, with new markdowns appearing every day.

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.

We've already begun tracking great deals on Apple products like AirPods, iPads, and MacBooks, but today we're focusing on accessory discounts you can get during the event. This includes products from Anker, Satechi, Jackery, Beats, and more.

Satechi

Satechi has a few discounts available during the Big Spring Sale, including $53 off the 200W 6-Port GaN Charging Station and $45 off the 14-in-1 USB-C Docking Station. You'll also find discounts on iPhone chargers, USB-C hubs, desktop accessories, and more from Satechi.

Jackery

Jackery is hosting a wide collection of deals during the Big Spring Sale, with big savings across its line of portable power stations. We've highlighted four of the best below, starting at just $169.00 for the Explorer 100 Plus Solar Generator.

• Explorer 100 Plus - $169.00, down from $229.00
• Explorer 500 - $479.00, down from $799.00
• Explorer 3000 Pro - $1,799.00, down from $2,799.00
• Explorer 2000 Plus - $2,999.00, down from $4,999.00

Anker

Anker is offering a selection of notable discounts on its best power banks and iPhone charging accessories during the Big Spring Sale. We've collected a few discounts in the list below, but be sure to check out Anker's Amazon storefront for even more deals.

• 10,000 mAh Power Bank with USB-C Cable - $12.94, down from $25.99
• MagGo Ultra Slim 10,000 mAh Power Bank - $62.99, down from $74.99
• MagGo Qi2 10,000 mAh Power Bank - $64.99, down from $89.99
• MagGO UFO 3-in-1 Travel Charger - $71.99, down from $89.99
• MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station - $82.49, down from $109.99
• 25,000 mAh Power Bank - $87.99, down from $109.99
• SOLIX Portable Power Station - $99.99, down from $169.99

Beats

Amazon this week is discounting a collection of Beats audio devices, including a return of the all-time low price on the new Beats Pill. You can get this portable Bluetooth speaker for $99.95, down from $149.95.

Amazon also has the Beats Studio Buds for $99.95, down from $149.95. These have up to 9 hours of playback (up to 36 hours with charging case), USB-C, active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and an IPX4 rating for sweat and water resistance.

You'll also find a few steep discounts on over-ear headphones, like the Beats Studio Pro at $179.95, down from $349.99. Many of these deals are all-time low prices on each pair of headphones.

• Beats Solo Buds - $59.95, down from $79.99
• Beats Studio Buds - $99.95, down from $149.95
• Beats Pill - $99.95, down from $149.95
• Beats Solo 4 - $129.95, down from $199.95
• Beats Fit Pro - $169.00, down from $199.95
• Beats Studio Pro - $179.95, down from $349.99

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.

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Waze is removing Google Assistant support from its iOS app after more than a year of buggy behavior and functionality issues, and will replace it with a new Gemini-based "Conversational Reporting" feature that aims to make hands-free navigation safer and more intuitive.

As reported by Tech-Issues Today, the Google-owned navigation app has acknowledged that iOS users have experienced significant problems with Google Assistant integration, which has led to the decision to nix the feature rather than continue attempts to fix it. However, for Waze users on Android, where issues haven't cropped up, Google Assistant will remain in place.

The new Conversational Reporting system, currently in beta testing with select users, allows drivers to report road hazards and traffic conditions using natural language. Instead of memorizing specific command phrases, users can speak normally with statements like "There's a crash up ahead," and the app will understand and process the information.

If more details are needed, the system can engage in a dialogue, asking follow-up questions like "Can you tell me more about the crash?" The conversational approach aims to keep driver distraction to a minimum while maximizing the usefulness of community-reported information.

The transition is already underway – Google Assistant is being phased out of the iOS app immediately. While Waze hasn't announced a specific release date for the Gemini-powered replacement, it's expected to launch widely after the beta testing period concludes.

The switch follows a number of recently introduced new Waze features, such as school zone alerts to warn drivers to reduce speed near educational institutions.

Apple's next-generation CarPlay experience is still nowhere to be seen following Porsche's announcement of a major upgrade of its infotainment system for 2026.

The upcoming 2026 model year Porsche Taycan, 911, Panamera, and Cayenne feature an upgraded version of the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system, making it more responsive, adding Dolby Atmos support, and integrating Amazon's Alexa voice assistant. The new system brings the Porsche App Center, a kind of app store for the vehicle, to all of the new models.

It continues to support the standard version of Apple ‌CarPlay‌ and Android Auto. Support for Apple's next-generation ‌CarPlay‌ experience is again conspicuously missing from Porsche's new lineup, and the automaker did not mention it at all during its latest announcement—another bleak sign for the delayed feature.

Next-generation ‌CarPlay‌ will have deeper integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster, climate controls, FM radio, and more. It will also support multiple displays across the dashboard, and offer widgets for apps like Calendar and Weather. In addition, next-generation ‌CarPlay‌ will be highly customizable, allowing automakers to tailor the design of the system to match their vehicles.

Apple first previewed next-generation CarPlay at WWDC 2022. Until the end of last year, Apple's website said that the first vehicles with next-generation ‌CarPlay‌ support would "arrive in 2024," but this did not occur.

Aston Martin and Porsche previewed next-generation CarPlay vehicle designs in late 2023, but neither automaker has announced any vehicles with support for it. Apple continued to highlight next-generation ‌CarPlay‌ in WWDC 2024 coding sessions for developers and it shared a statement in January reiterating its commitment to the feature.

When it unveiled next-generation ‌CarPlay‌ in 2022, Apple said committed automakers included Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche, Renault, and Volvo. Nearly three years have gone by since Apple shared that list, however, so it is unclear if it remains entirely accurate.

In the United States, the Apple Card offers a high-yield savings account option, allowing you to earn far more interest on your money compared to the average bank's basic savings account. However, the account's interest rate was lowered this week, with the annual percentage yield (APY) dropping from 3.9% to 3.75%.

If you deposited $1,000 into the account, and maintained that balance for one year, you would earn $37.50 in interest based on the current APY.

The chart below compares the Apple Card savings account's APY to some other popular high-yield savings accounts in the United States.

Provider	APY*
Ally	3.70%
Discover	3.70%
American Express	3.70%
Capital One	3.70%
Citizens Bank	3.70%
Apple Card Savings	3.75%
Marcus by Goldman Sachs	3.75%
SoFi	3.80%
Barclays	3.90%
PNC Bank	3.95%
Synchrony	4.00%
Betterment	4.00%
Wealthfront	4.00%
UFB Direct	4.01%
CIT Bank	4.10%
Fierce	4.25%
Openbank by Santander	4.40%
Pibank	4.60%

* Advertised APYs as of March 26, 2025, excluding promotional rates and affiliate bonuses. Minimum balance requirements and other conditions vary per account. APYs can change at any time, so we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the rates listed above.

Apple launched its savings account in April 2023, in partnership with Goldman Sachs. The account can be opened and managed in the Wallet app on the iPhone, and it has no fees, no minimum deposits, and no minimum balance requirements. You must have an Apple Card, be a U.S. resident, and be at least 18 years old to open an account.

The account allows Apple Card holders to earn interest on their Daily Cash cashback balance, and on funds deposited via a linked bank account or an Apple Cash balance. The maximum balance allowed is $1 million, up from $250,000 previously.

When the account launched, Apple and Goldman Sachs offered an APY of 4.15%, but the rate has fluctuated, often in line with U.S. Federal Reserve benchmark rate changes. The APY peaked at 4.5% in early 2024, and the current 3.75% is an all-time low.

To open a savings account in the Wallet app, tap on your Apple Card, tap on the circle with three dots in it, tap Daily Cash, and select Set Up next to Savings.

Goldman Sachs may end its consumer lending partnership with Apple early, but it is unclear if this will have any impact on Apple Card holders. According to recent reports, there are at least three companies in the running to replace Goldman Sachs as the Apple Card's financial partner, including Barclays, Synchrony, and JPMorgan Chase.

Apple today announced the official release date of its iPhone 16 lineup in Indonesia, after the country lifted a ban on its sale following Apple's more than $300 million investment plan. The iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, and iPhone 16e will launch in the Indonesian market on April 11.

The announcement indicates that the iPhone 16 series has passed the Indonesian telecommunications equipment certification – the final hurdle in the approvals process. Previously, the iPhone 16 models also obtained the local component content (TKDN) certification issued by the Indonesian Ministry of Industry, with a standard rate of 40%, exceeding the current minimum requirement of 35%.

Indonesia blocked iPhone 16 sales in October after determining that Apple had not met the country's 40% domestic content requirement for smartphones.

Beyond the monetary investment, Apple has reportedly committed to training local talent in research and development, so that Indonesians can develop software and design their own products. The pledge addresses one of the government's key demands for Apple to establish R&D facilities in the country.

The agreement also includes plans for a manufacturing plant on Batam island that will produce AirTags, Apple's device tracking accessories. This facility will be operated by Apple supplier Luxshare Precision Industry, and is expected to eventually account for 20% of global AirTag production.

Another manufacturing facility is planned for Bandung, about three hours from Jakarta, which will produce other types of accessories. Part of the investment will also fund Apple academies to equip Indonesian students with tech skills like coding.

Despite the substantial concessions, recent reports indicate that Apple has no immediate plans to manufacture iPhones in Indonesia. That means Apple remains the only brand in the country allowed to sell imported smartphones without local manufacturing. In contrast, other manufacturers must comply with TKDN regulations by producing devices locally or contributing through software development.

Update 7:25 pm: Based on comments from our forums, it appears the original Weibo post may have been mistranslated and "8K" actually refers to the high price of the device rather than 8K video recording capabilities. The iPhone 16 Pro currently starts at 7,999 yuan in China.

Our original article follows below.

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Apple's forthcoming iPhone 17 Pro models are capable of shooting 8K video, up from the current maximum 4K capture resolution on the iPhone 16 series, a Chinese leaker has today suggested.

The Weibo-based account Fixed Focus Digital on Wednesday said that the iPhone 17 Pro is "something to look forward to," since 8K video will be "within the user's grasp."

It turns out the leaker could be onto something.

Last September, one report claimed that Apple allegedly tested 8K video recording on the iPhone 16 Pro models. However, the capability was never enabled, likely because of hardware limitations in the current triple-lens camera setup.

The iPhone 16 Pro features 48-megapixel Fusion and Ultra Wide cameras, while the Telephoto camera is 12 megapixels. Since an 8K image is around 33 megapixels, the Fusion and Ultra Wide cameras are theoretically capable of 8K video recording, but the Telephoto camera is not.

The same report suggested that, given the rumored 48-megapixel Telephoto camera coming to the iPhone 17 Pro, 8K video recording might debut on that device instead. Apple's iPhone 17 Pro models are now heavily rumored to feature three 48-megapixel rear cameras, a major improvement over the current 12-megapixel Telephoto lens. That would make all three rear cameras theoretically capable of shooting 8K video for the first time.

Several rival smartphones currently offer 8K video recording capabilities, such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Google Pixel 9 Pro (via AI upscaling). Even though 8K video recording isn't widely used by content creators right now, there are still use cases for it. For example, shooting 8K would allow videographers to record using the Ultra Wide camera and then crop in 50% and still achieve 4K resolution.

Notably, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in February reported that Apple plans to emphasize the iPhone 17 Pro's improved video recording capabilities when it unveils the device later this year, although he did not reveal any specific new features that may be coming.

This is what he said:

In past years, Apple has focused more heavily on the camera's photo-taking abilities. This year it will stress improvements to video recording. One of the goals for 2025's iPhone line is to get the vlogging community and other video creators to move away from standalone cameras and use the iPhone for even more of their work. Look for Apple to more heavily than ever tout these video recording capabilities when the new iPhones debut in September.

It's quite possible that 8K video recording will be one of the capabilities that Apple will tout when the new lineup launches. Video recording capabilities already added to iPhones over the years include an Action mode for stabilization, Cinematic mode for shallow depth-of-field, and 120 fps 4K Dolby Vision video recording.

Multiple sources have claimed that the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature a redesigned rear camera system. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are rumored to adopt a horizontal camera bar reminiscent of Google's Pixel series, and this bar is expected to span the width of the device's back, housing the triangular triple-camera setup on the left, and the flash, microphone, and LiDAR sensor on the right.

It is not clear why Apple would use this design, nor what the extra space would be used for, but it has shown up several times now. All four iPhone 17 models are also expected to feature an upgraded 24-megapixel front-facing camera.

The iOS 19 mockup images that leaker Jon Prosser shared today are not representative of the actual iOS 19 design, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on social media.

According to Gurman, the images that are "floating around" are based on "very old builds" or "vague descriptions," and are lacking key features. Gurman says that we can "expect more from Apple in June."

Gurman made the same comment about Prosser's mockups in his Power On discord channel. "He either has very old screenshots or hasn't seen the real thing," wrote Gurman.

Prosser shared mockups that are supposedly based on the "real deal version" of ‌iOS 19‌ that he has seen, but the images feature a limited number of design changes. The Messages app mockup, for example, shows slight changes to the navigation buttons and a more rounded keyboard, while the Lock Screen has few changes beyond updates to translucency.

Prosser said that apps, menus, settings, and more will have a more rounded aesthetic with glass-like styling modeled after visionOS, which we've also heard from Gurman and other sources.

In his video, Prosser downplayed the changes and said that there are no signs of significant new additions beyond the minor design tweaks he demoed, but Gurman previously said that Apple's update will "fundamentally change" the look of the operating system, marking the biggest design refresh to iOS since iOS 7.

Gurman has not provided specific details on the changes that Apple is planning to make, but he has said that Apple will update the style of icons, menus, apps, windows, and system buttons, with a look that is "loosely based" on the Vision Pro interface.

Apple's 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference will primarily be hosted online so that all developers worldwide can attend and interface with Apple employees, but there is an in-person component in the form of a special event at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California.

Apple is hosting a keynote viewing party that some developers and students will be able to attend. The event will include the keynote and Platforms State of the Union, plus attendees will be able to meet with Apple experts in labs, explore Apple's campus, and participate in special activities.

At the 2024 WWDC event, developers and students were provided with refreshments to kick off the day, followed by the keynote event. Apple's Platforms State of the Union followed, and then there were ‌Apple Park‌ tours to choose from. The day ended with the Apple Design Awards and a dinner event.

Who Can Attend

Current Apple Developer Program or Apple Developer Enterprise Program members can apply to attend, as can Apple Entrepreneur Camp alumni and Swift Student Challenge winners from 2023 to 2025.

350 Swift Student Challenge winners for 2025 are set to be announced on Thursday, March 27. 50 Distinguished Winners will receive an invite to a special three-day experience that includes the special event on June 9, and Distinguished Winners will not need to enter the lottery. The 300 other Swift Student Challenge winners will be able to attend if they win a spot in the lottery.

Both adults and children aged 13 to 17 can apply, but children will need to be accompanied by a legal guardian.

Lottery Selection

Because there is limited space at the ‌Apple Park‌ campus, Apple will choose attendees through a random lottery. Apple says that special event passes are allocated by a random selection process, and tickets are nontransferable.

How to Register to Go

If you're eligible to enter the lottery, you can apply on Apple's developer website. Apple is accepting special event pass requests until 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, April 2.

Those who apply will be notified of their request status by the end of the day on Thursday, April 3.

Cost

While Apple is not charging for the viewing event at ‌Apple Park‌, attendees will need to cover their own travel fees, including plane tickets and accommodations at nearby hotels.

Media Attendees

Apple has not yet sent out media invites, but it is likely that select members of the media will be invited to the ‌Apple Park‌ special event.

WWDC 2025 Dates and Viewing Info

WWDC 2025 will take place from Monday, June 9 to Friday, June 13. Developers who are not selected to attend Apple's special event can watch the June 9 keynote on Apple's website or on YouTube.

For those unable to watch the live stream, or who prefer to read a text version of the announcements, we'll have ‌WWDC 2025‌ live coverage here on MacRumors.com and through our MacRumorsLive Twitter account, so make sure to follow.

Apple also plans to share all of the WWDC sessions and events in its Developer app and on its Apple Developer YouTube channel.

Leaker Jon Prosser today shared a "first look" at Apple's upcoming iOS 19 update, providing mockups of what different apps and features will supposedly look like. Prosser claims the mockups are based on "the real deal" version of ‌iOS 19‌ that he has seen, but says he is sharing replica images in order to prevent his sources from getting into trouble.

Confusingly, Prosser's video features some design changes that are "real," and others that he made up as a joke. He includes a Home Screen view with round icons rather than square icons, for example, but at the tail end of the video, he says that's not an accurate depiction of what the icons will look like.

Here's what Prosser has to say about different ‌iOS 19‌ elements:

• Lock Screen - There's no functional change, but there is a visual overhaul. In Prosser's mockup, it looks similar to the current Lock Screen, with some translucency changes to notifications and a more 3D floating look to the buttons.
• Settings and Popups - Menu elements, popups, and buttons have a more rounded aesthetic with a "glassy" styling.
• Apps - App menus and buttons will have the same look with rounded corners, circular design, and floating style modeled after visionOS.
• Keyboard - There's a more rounded design at the top with a visionOS glassy design. Prosser says that the keyboard "almost looks like it's floating."

Prior to today's video, Prosser shared mockups of the Messages and Camera apps, which have the design that he described. There are bubble-shaped floating navigation buttons and softer, rounder corners for interface elements, along with added translucency.

According to Prosser, Apple's Sports app and Invites app offer an inside peek at what the ‌iOS 19‌ redesign will look like, echoing previous discussion about how Apple has already been using glassy buttons and interface elements for its newest apps.

Prosser says that overall, there are no signs of any new major AI features or other significant additions, with ‌iOS 19‌ focusing primarily on design updates.

When unveiling the WWDC 2025 dates today, Apple said that it will announce this year's Swift Student Challenge Winners on Thursday, March 27.

The Swift Student Challenge tasks students with creating an innovative coding project using Swift Playground or Xcode. This year's event began on February 3, and Apple accepted submissions for a three-week period before judging began.

Apple plans to select 350 winners for the 2025 challenge, all of whom will be eligible to attend the June 9 Special Event for WWDC at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. Winners will need to enter a lottery process to get a chance to attend.

Apple will also choose 50 Distinguished Winners that will be recognized for "outstanding submissions." Distinguished Winners will be invited to Cupertino for a three-day experience that will include the Special Event keynote viewing along with other activities, and these winners will not need to enter the lottery to visit ‌Apple Park‌.

Students who entered the challenge can expect to receive an email notifying them about their status later this week.

Leaker Jon Prosser today shared a mockup of what he says the Messages app will look like in iOS 19, demoing an interface with rounded, translucent bubble-shaped navigation buttons at the top and softer, rounder corners for the keyboard and word suggestions.

The return button, a button for going back to the Messages list, and the FaceTime button have a deeper blue shade that has a bit of a glow about it, but Prosser's mockup does not show fundamental changes to the layout. The iMessage demonstration is at 42:50 in the video below, and it lasts for about a minute.

Prosser previously showed off a mockup of what the ‌iOS 19‌ Camera app supposedly looks like, with the updated design featuring visionOS-like translucency for the tool bar that gives more visibility to the underlying photo.

When sharing the Camera app mockup, Prosser said that he based it on the actual ‌iOS 19‌ Camera app that he obtained from unnamed sources. He recreated the design rather than showing actual screenshots, and it appears that's what's been done here as well. Prosser noted that the Messages app and the Home Screen have not seen significant redesigns in ‌iOS 19‌, despite rumors that we're going to see the biggest redesign since iOS 7.

Prosser says that he has an ‌iOS 19‌ video coming tomorrow, where he will share additional info on ‌iOS 19‌'s design.

‌iOS 19‌, iPadOS 19, and macOS Sequoia 16 are rumored to be getting a complete design overhaul, with Apple refreshing menus, system buttons, apps, icons, and more. Apple plans to focus on translucency and rounded buttons, design elements that are taken from visionOS. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the update will "fundamentally change" the look of each operating system while also introducing a more consistent cross-platform experience.