In a social media post today, Judge said he has confirmed that pre-production of the smash-hit Apple TV+ comedy series will begin in January in London, England. Apple has yet to confirm the fourth season, and there is no set release date yet.
The third season of Ted Lasso ran from March through May of 2023.
Ted Lasso, played by Jason Sudeikis, is a small-time football coach from Kansas who is hired to coach a professional soccer team in England, despite having no experience coaching soccer. The series has won several major awards since it debuted in 2020, with its overall positive tone proving especially comforting during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Given how immensely popular Ted Lasso is, its long-rumored fourth season apparently being confirmed is a huge win for Apple TV+.
Exclusive: #TedLasso S4 is set to begin pre-production in January. According to my sources, the football drama is now confirmed to return next year with a fourth instalment, with London shoots beginning in early 2025! pic.twitter.com/3tZszHy7w1
— Sigmund Judge (@sigjudge) October 3, 2024
Apple has started to source OLED displays for its next-generation iPhone SE, according to Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes.
"Apple has begun to source OLED panels for its next-generation iPhone SE series from BOE and other Chinese manufacturers, according to industry sources," the publication said today, in the "Tomorrow's Headlines" section of its website. The full report has yet to be published, so there are no additional details at this time.
This information aligns with multiple previousreports that indicated BOE would supply OLED displays for the next iPhone SE.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman earlier this week reported that the fourth-generation iPhone SE will be released "early next year." He expects the device to have a similar design as the iPhone 14, including an edge-to-edge screen with a notch, which suggests that it will support Face ID. He also expects the new iPhone SE to support Apple Intelligence, and this means the device would likely have an increased 8GB of RAM. Apple Intelligence is currently limited to the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and all iPhone 16 models.
If the new iPhone SE is based on the iPhone 14, it would have a 6.1-inch OLED display, whereas the current model has a 4.7-inch LCD. Other features previously rumored for the next iPhone SE include a USB-C port and the Action button.
All three existing iPhone SE models were announced in March or April over the years.
A rare Apple Macintosh prototype from 1983, featuring the "Twiggy disk" drive, is expected to sell for over $100,000 at auction (via New Atlas).
The piece of Apple history is set to go under the hammer at Bonhams in New York. The Macintosh prototype, model #M0001, is one of the few surviving pre-production units from 1983.
This version of the Macintosh originally used a 5.25-inch floppy disk drive known internally as the "Twiggy" drive. It proved to be unreliable, leading Apple co-founder Steve Jobs to order the destruction of the remaining pre-production units before the final commercial release. The use of this drive sets it apart from the first commercially available Macs, which would ultimately ship in 1984 with the more compact 3.5-inch floppy disk system.
This particular prototype not only survived Jobs's directive but remains in very good condition. Included with the unit are several other prototype accessories, including a keyboard with a handwritten serial number, a prototype version of Apple's M01000 mouse featuring a unique connector, and a dual-density Twiggy diskette labeled "Mac Word." The prototype's software adds further intrigue to the lot; it runs early, unfinished versions of key Macintosh applications, and some of the notifications and instructions in the system are attributed to Steve Jobs himself.
The Bonhams auction is expected to reach a final selling price of $80,000 to $120,000. Given the rarity of Twiggy Mac prototypes and the historical interest surrounding Apple's early products, it is possible the final sale price could exceed expectations and become one of the most expensive Apple computers ever sold. A similar Twiggy model sold at auction in 2019 was fully functional and achieved a record price of $150,075. The auction is set to run from October 13 to October 23.
While two out of three of these problematic releases were betas, which are meant to catch these sort of issues, this is still an unfortunate stretch for Apple.
Apple will likely make a new build of watchOS 11.1 beta 3 available in the coming days, or it might simply move on to watchOS 11.1 beta 4.
Apple in October will release macOS Sequoia 15.1, bringing to Macs the first Apple Intelligence features such as Writing Tools, new Siri features, Smart Replies, and more. In addition, macOS 15.1 adds a handful of welcome tweaks and improvements to existing Mac capabilities.
Here's what we can expect from the first major update to macOS Sequoia later this month. Note that Apple Intelligence features require Macs powered by Apple silicon.
iPhone Mirroring Drag and Drop Support
One of the most anticipated iPhone Mirroring features coming in macOS 15.1 is support for drag and drop. After updating to the new software, you will be able to drag files from an iPhone to a Mac and vice versa.
iPhone Mirroring makes file transfers between devices effortless, even when the iPhone is locked and charging. With an iPhone running iOS 18.1, you can drag files, such as photos, from your Mac directly to the open Photos app on your iPhone, and they'll transfer instantly. For PDFs, open the Files app and drag the document from your Mac to the iPhone. Transferring files from iPhone to Mac follows the same process — simply drag the file to your desired location on the Mac.
New Low Power Mode Toggle
Low Power Mode is a long-standing iPhone feature for conserving battery, and was introduced to the Mac with macOS Monterey. Since then, it has remained hidden in System Settings, but in macOS 15.1, Apple is simplifying access by adding a Low Power Mode toggle to the Battery menu for MacBook users, allowing it to be enabled or disabled in just two clicks.
The battery icon also now turns yellow when Low Power Mode is active, similar to iOS. It's worth noting that some advanced settings, like automatically enabling Low Power Mode when unplugged, remain within System Settings. When enabled, Low Power Mode optimizes the system to conserve energy by slightly reducing performance, suspending background tasks, lowering screen brightness, and capping ProMotion display refresh rates at 60Hz where applicable.
Writing Tools
Apple Intelligence
You can select any text on your Mac and use Apple Intelligence to access Writing Tools for summaries and other features. The proofreading feature scans your text for spelling and grammar errors, providing suggestions for word choice and sentence structure improvements. You can quickly accept all recommendations or review them individually with accompanying explanations.
If you're looking to refine your writing style, the rewrite function allows for tone adjustment without altering the core content. You can choose from options such as Friendly, Professional, or Concise to tailor your message to your intended audience.
Additionally, the update introduces versatile summarization capabilities. You can select text and generate concise summaries in various formats, including paragraphs, key points, lists, or tables. This feature seamlessly integrates with apps like Mail and Messages, making it easier to distill and share written information.
Enhanced Siri
Apple Intelligence
The Siri window now offers greater flexibility, allowing you to position it anywhere on their screen. A new responsive glow animation provides visual feedback, indicating when Siri is actively listening without disrupting ongoing tasks.
If you prefer typing, the Type to Siri feature can be quickly accessed by double-pressing the Command key, and it now includes suggested requests. Siri's improved contextual awareness also lets you ask follow-up questions without repeating previously established information.
The update also brings more natural language processing capabilities. Siri can now better understand and interpret you if you stumble over your words or change direction mid-sentence, making interactions feel more conversational and less rigid.
Lastly, Siri's knowledge base has been expanded to include comprehensive information about Apple products and support, so you can inquire about device features and settings. Siri can even locate specific settings even if you're unsure of their exact names.
Smart Replies and Mail Summaries
Apple Intelligence
To facilitate faster responses, Mail and Messages now include a Smart Reply feature. This intelligent system offers contextual quick-tap responses based on the content of received messages, allowing you to reply promptly with minimal effort.
In Mail, a new summarize button allows you to quickly distill the content of incoming emails, providing concise overviews at a glance. This feature also extends to multiple Messages notifications and your Mail inbox, where brief summaries replace the first few lines of each message. Mail also prioritizes time-sensitive communications by automatically elevating them to the top of your inbox.
Photos Cleanup Tool
Apple Intelligence
With macOS Sequoia 15.1, Apple is bringing a powerful new feature to the Photos app called Clean Up. Thanks to advanced object detection algorithms, this editing tool can automatically identify potentially unwanted objects in your images, allowing you to effortlessly remove them.
At the same time, users retain full control over the editing process, with the ability to manually select objects for removal by clicking, circling, or brushing over them.
You can zoom in on images to meticulously remove smaller blemishes or imperfections using brush strokes. Notably, Clean Up is designed to preserve the integrity of main subjects like people, even if they are inadvertently selected during the editing process.
Transcription Summaries
Apple Intelligence
In macOS Sequoia, Apple added a transcription feature to Notes that lets you capture audio recordings and automatically generates a verbatim transcript of the content.
In macOS Sequoia 15.1, the feature also provides a concise summary of the transcribed text, offering a quick overview of the recorded material. The transcript is useful for recording lectures and meetings as it ensures that no important details are missed, while the addition of a summary provides a quick reference for key topics, action items, or main discussion points.
Focus Modes
Apple Intelligence
A dedicated new Reduce Interruptions Focus Mode filters out all but the most important notifications, ensuring you only see those that require your attention.
When customizing or creating a new Focus mode, there's a new option to enable Intelligent Breakthrough and Silencing. This feature lets critical notifications come through while muting less important ones, similar to how the Reduce Notifications Focus works.
Aqara today announced the launch of the Aqara Smart Lock U300, which is a smart lock that's designed for doors that have a lever or knob but no deadbolt.
Many homes have non-deadbolt doors for side entries, garage doors, home offices, basements, and storage rooms, and these kind of door setups do not work with traditional smart locks that require a deadbolt. The U300 lever lock is one of the first smart locks created for these types of doors.
The U300 replaces a traditional lever or knob, offering smart functionality and the ability to keep an eye on who is coming or going.
The U300 is built with the latest Thread protocol and it is Matter-enabled, so it can be added to an Apple HomeKit setup. It can be used alongside other smart home products in the Home app, or it can be used with additional features in the Aqara app.
Like Aqara's U100 and U200 smart locks, the U300 is compatible with Apple Home Keys, so a digital key can be stored in the Wallet app on iPhone or Apple Watch for unlocking the door over NFC with a tap.
Along with Apple Home Keys and the Home app, the U300 can be unlocked using a fingerprint reader or a PIN with the included number pad. Aqara also offers NFC cards that can be used to unlock the door, and mechanical keys are provided in case of emergency like a power outage.
Digital keys can be provided for guests, and the U300 has a built-in feature that automatically locks the door behind you after a short period of time. Available in black or silver, the Aqara U300 has an IPX4 water resistance rating and is suitable for use indoors and outdoors.
The battery in the U300 lasts for up to 10 months before it needs to be swapped out, and it takes 4AA batteries. There's also a USB-C Emergency Port. While no hub is required to use the U300, the Aqara M3 Hub is recommended because it enables automations and remote access.
Apple Maps has expanded the availability of cycling routes in the southern hemisphere by adding support for New Zealand.
Apple first added cycling directions to Apple Maps in iOS 14, providing specific directions for bike riders with bike lanes, bike paths, and bike-friendly routes that highlight steep inclines, stairs, and other obstacles.
Prior to this expansion, cycling directions in Apple Maps were primarily available in select countries and major cities across North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. As for Oceania, the feature was previously limited to Australia, so the addition of New Zealand significantly enhances its coverage in the region.
Apple typically rolls out new features gradually, so users across New Zealand may see the cycling directions become available in stages. The company has not provided details about coverage within the country, but it is expected to include major urban areas and popular cycling routes. Apple maintains a list of all of the areas where cycling directions are available on its website, but New Zealand has not yet been added.
Oura today announced its latest smart ring, the all-titanium Oura Ring 4, featuring improved accuracy and a redesigned companion app.
The Oura Ring 4 introduces "Smart Sensing" technology, which the company claims enhances data accuracy by adapting to the specific contours of an individual's finger. This new algorithm reportedly improves blood oxygen sensing accuracy by 30% over the Oura Ring 3, and reduces gaps in heart rate tracking. The ring's sensors are also now recessed, which is said to provide a more comfortable fit for all-day wear.
The new wearable boasts a slimmer profile and expanded size options to cater to a wider range of users. There are now twelve sizes, ranging from 4 to 15. (Oura Ring 3 was limited to sizes 6 to 13.) The expanded size range comes as Oura reports a shift in its user demographics, with women in their 20s now representing its fastest-growing segment. The company says battery life has also been extended to up to eight days, depending on the size of the ring.
Alongside the hardware update, Oura has also overhauled its companion app with a new three-tab interface: Today, Vitals, and My Health. The redesign aims to simplify navigation and provide clearer insights into both daily and long-term health metrics. New features include automatic activity detection for over 40 activities, enhanced stress tracking, and a "Fertile Window" prediction tool for users trying to conceive.
Priced at $349, the Oura Ring 4 will be available in six colors: Gold, Rose Gold, Brushed Silver, Stealth, Black, and Silver. Shipping starts from October 15, but it's worth noting that Oura Ring 4 continues to be available via the company's controversial subscription model, with membership priced at $5.99 per month or $69.99 annually after the included one-month trial.
Apple Ring Rumors
Earlier this year when the first reports of Samsung's Galaxy Ring began to circulate, rumors about Apple's potential entry into the wearable ring market also started swirling. Several patents suggest Apple has explored the concept, and recent reports indicate that the company's industrial design team has presented a health-focused smart ring idea to executives.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in February said the ring could be a lower-cost alternative to the Apple Watch that could sync health and fitness data with a paired iPhone. However, Gurman at the time also said that active development was not underway, so it currently remains unclear if it will be released in the near-term, if indeed ever.
Now that Apple doesn't include power adapters with new iPhones, you have to supply your own, and it can be a little confusing figuring out what you need specifically to get the fastest charging speeds. Apple added another layer of complexity this year with upgraded MagSafe charging for the iPhone 16 models, a feature that also requires specific hardware.
USB-C
All of the iPhone 16 models can charge from 0 to 50 percent in approximately 30 minutes. You need Apple's $19 20W adapter or better for fast charging, and if you already had an iPhone that could fast charge, you probably have the hardware you need.
iPhones charge fastest when the battery is low, and then charging slows down, so you'll see the most rapid charging at lower battery levels.
Some people have seen sporadic higher maximum charge levels over 30W, but that seems to happen only when you're playing a game or doing something else that drains battery quickly. The extra power boost seems to be aimed at making sure the iPhone 16 is able to maintain its fast charging speed even when it's using extra power. With prior iPhone models, charging would slow down if you were doing something that used up a lot of battery.
PhoneArena did a charging test and when playing a game, the iPhone 16 was able to charge at up to 39W for a short period of time while it had under 50 percent battery. In other tests where the iPhone wasn't in use, PhoneArena did not see charging speeds over 20W for the iPhone 16 or 27W for the iPhone 16 Pro.
PhoneArena and ChargerLAB didn't test charging speeds, so we did a quick test. An iPhone 16 Pro Max charged from 0 to 55 percent in 30 minutes with a 30W charger, and from 0 to 45 percent in 30 minutes with a 20W charger. A third test with a 140W charger saw the 16 Pro Max charge from 0 to 56 percent in 30 minutes. Tests all used the USB-C to USB-C cable that comes with the iPhone and Apple's power adapters.
For the iPhone 16 Pro models, it looks like you can get slightly faster charging speeds with a 30W or better charger, even though Apple only recommends a 20W or better charger for fast charging. Going over 30W doesn't seem to make much of a difference. The standard iPhone 16 models seem to max out at around 20W, so they don't need a 30W+ charger.
If you've already got a 20W charger and have an iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max, there's no real reason to upgrade. You'll still hit close to 50 percent in 30 minutes with a 20W charger. If you're often charging while also playing games, or want to optimize you might want to consider investing in a 30W+ charger for faster sustained charging speeds.
Note that you can also use higher-watt chargers -- 20W is just the minimum for "fast" charging.
MagSafe
The iPhone 16 models can charge at up to 25W over MagSafe, up from 15W. 25W charging via MagSafe is also fast charging, so for the first time, the new iPhones can fast charge wirelessly.
To take advantage of the faster MagSafe charging, you need a 30W or higher power adapter, which Apple sells for $39. Of course, you can use a higher powered power source or a third-party power adapter as long as it delivers at least 30W.
You also need one of Apple's new MagSafe chargers, which were released alongside the new iPhone models.
Older MagSafe Chargers from Apple will not charge your iPhone 16 model at above 15W, nor will older third-party MagSafe chargers. If you have a MagSafe stand or multi-device charger from a company like Mophie or Belkin, it's now outdated and can't charge your new iPhone at its maximum wireless charging speed.
The new MagSafe Chargers from Apple will only charge the iPhone 16 models at 25W, and while you can use them with your older iPhones, charging will be limited to 15W.
Qi2 chargers are equivalent to the prior 15W MagSafe Charger and can only charge iPhone 16 models at 15W.
At a Glance
If you don't want to read the accessory explanation, here's what to buy for iPhone 16 fast charging:
USB-C for iPhone 16: 20W or better power adapter paired with the charging cable the iPhone came with. 30W is better for the fastest speeds, especially if you charge while using your iPhone.
USB-C for iPhone 16 Pro: A 30W or better power adapter will get you the best fast charging speed.
MagSafe: 30W or better power adapter paired with Apple's new $39 MagSafe Charger.
Bonus: Faster Data Transfers
If you want to transfer files from your iPhone 16 Pro to another device quickly, you're going to want to pick up a USB 3 cable for 10Gb/s transfer speeds.
The cable that comes with your iPhone 16 is limited to USB 2 speeds of 480Mb/s.
Google today announced an update for the summary card feature in Gmail, which is designed to provide helpful information at the top of incoming emails.
Summary cards have a new look for purchases, events, bill, and travel emails, with Google adding new action buttons. With these action buttons, Gmail users can do things like add an event to the calendar, or set a reminder to pay a bill.
Purchases - Summary cards will show tracking information for purchases and order details.
Events - Dinner reservations, concert tickets, and more will be highlighted, and there are options to add events to the calendar, invite others, and get directions.
Bills - Summary cards can show bills, with an option to get a reminder to pay or to add a due date in Google Tasks.
Travel - Users can manage reservations, check in for flights, and see important details like hotel checkout times.
Google says that it updated the summary card backend, so key information will be organized across all related emails and updated in real-time. Users can expect to see updates on incoming package deliveries, for example, thanks to the new dynamic version of summary cards.
Summary cards will be shown in additional places in Gmail, such as search and a new "Happening Soon" section. Happening Soon shows the estimated delivery date of incoming packages, and users will only see the section when there are deliveries. In the future, more types of summary cards will be shown in this section.
Purchase summary cards are rolling out for individual emails in the Gmail for iOS app starting today, and event, bill, and travel summary cards and the Happening Soon section set to launch in the coming months.
Apple CEO Tim Cook will soon be $50 million richer after selling 223,986 shares of Apple Stock, earning him a total of $50,276,076, according to an SEC filing. Cook was originally granted the stock as part of performance-based award based on Apple's shareholder return relative to other S&P 500 companies, and he often sells stock in October.
Earlier this week, Cook was granted an additional 219,502 shares of Apple stock. 54,876 shares are set to vest in one-third increments in April of 2027, 2028, and 2029. 164,626 shares are performance-based and will vest on October 1, 2027. Depending on Apple's performance between fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2027, between 0 and 200 percent of the target number of shares can vest.
The total bonus will depend on Apple's total shareholder return relative to other companies in the S&P 500 over the next two years.
As of early 2024, Cook owned over three million shares of Apple stock, along with an additional 1.3 million unvested RSUs. Cook's unsold stock is worth over $500 million, and stock grants make up the majority of his total compensation.
In 2023, Cook's base salary was $3 million, but he also received $47 million in stock awards, $10.7 million in performance-based bonus awards, and $2.5 million in other compensation, such as 401(k) contributions, term life insurance premiums, vacation cash-out, security expenses, and personal air travel expenses.
If you just got a new iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro, you might be looking for accessories like cases or chargers. MacRumors videographer Dan highlighted some of his favorite iPhone cases, screen protectors, and chargers this week, so check out the video below for some product suggestions.
Nomad Modern Leather Folio ($70) - Apple doesn't make leather cases anymore, so if you're looking for a replacement, Nomad offers good alternatives. The Folio case folds in half, offering protection for both the front and back of the iPhone.
Nomad Traditional Leather Case ($60) - Available in black or brown, Nomad's Traditional Leather Case is closer to Apple's now-discontinued leather cases. It has an opening for the Camera Control button, so the case won't impede the button's functionality.
Nomad Magnetic Leather Back ($40) - If you don't want to obscure the sides of your iPhone and just need some protection for the back, Nomad's Magnetic Leather Back is worth checking out.
Beats iPhone 16 Case ($49) - Apple's Beats brand released iPhone 16 cases this year, and they're made from a protective polycarbonate material that comes in four colors. Since Apple basically designed this case, it works seamlessly with the Camera Control button.
ESR Tempered Glass Screen Protector ($15.50) - Prefer your iPhone naked? ESR's screen protector is easy to put on, cheap, and offers decent coverage for your screen in case of an accidental drop.
Moft Tripod Wallet Stand ($45) - The Tripod Wallet Stand from Moft can hold a couple credit cards and fold out into a stand for watching videos, making FaceTime calls, and more with multiple positions available.
Chargers
ESR Qi2 3-in-1 MagSafe Charger Stand ($101) - ESR's 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station uses Qi2, so it can charge your iPhone 16 at 15W. It is also able to fast charge the Apple Watch and charge up your AirPods, plus it has CryoBoost technology (a fan and heat dissipation) to keep your iPhone cool so it charges faster.
Nomad Stand One Max ($150) - The Stand One Max from Nomad also uses Qi2 to charge an iPhone 16 at up to 15W, and it has fast charging. If you're looking for something high quality, you won't go wrong with Nomad.
Belkin 3-in-1 Foldable Wireless Charger ($100) - Another Qi2 charger, the Belkin 3-in-1 Magnetic Foldable Wireless Charger has a fold-down iPhone charger and Apple Watch charger so you can use it while it's flat or while the charging stands are upright.
Belkin 2-in-1 Charging Travel Pad ($120) - For travel, the 2-in-1 Magnetic Charging Travel Pad from Belkin is ideal. It folds in half so it takes up little room in a bag, but it can fast charge the Apple Watch and also charge an iPhone at up to 15W. Either charger can be used with compatible AirPods.
Have a favorite case or charger for the new iPhone 16 models? Let us know what it is in the comments below.
Two students at Harvard University modified a set of Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses to add AI-based facial recognition technology, and the result is a wearable that is able to identify people in real time, according to a report from 404 Media.
The modified Meta Glasses are able to use the camera to scan a stranger's face to get their name, and there's also a function for pulling information like home address, phone number, and family members from internet sites that store that kind of data.
AnhPhu Nguyen and Caine Ardayfio, the creators, demonstrated the glasses in public. Ardayfio walked up to a total stranger, scanned her face, got her name and affiliations, and then pretended that he knew her from one of the organizations that came up in a search about her. In a second demo, Nguyen identified a random man and initiated a conversation, pretending to have read his work based on what the glasses surfaced.
The Meta Glasses were set up to stream video directly to Instagram, and a computer program monitors the stream. AI determines when a face is detected, and then an internet search is conducted to find more pictures of the person. From there, online articles, voter registration databases, and other public information is used to suss out a name, phone number, address, and relative's names. Everything happens in a couple of minutes, and it's fed back to a smartphone app.
Dozens of Harvard students were identified and they were never aware that AI face scans had been used to suss out their names and information about them. Nguyen said that the project is meant to raise awareness of what can be done with today's consumer technology, face search engines, LLMs, and public databases. The two creators have no plans to release any kind of product or code.
Nguyen and Ardayfio chose the Meta Ray-Ban Glasses because "they look almost indistinguishable from regular glasses," making them ideal for surreptitious image capture. Reverse facial recognition was used to match faces to publicly available images, and PimEyes, a face recognition search engine, was identified as the "most effective" way to find people. An LLM was used to look up details about a person across the web, and FastPeopleSearch provided additional information. The entire setup is automatic, thanks to LLMs.
Meta's Ray-Ban Glasses are simple in design and are primarily focused on taking images, but even that limited hardware is enough to generate detailed information about a person almost instantly. With a faster processor, on-device AI capabilities, better camera technology, and augmented reality, future products could do even more.
In response to the report, Meta told 404 Media that PimEyes facial recognition can be used with any camera, and it's not something that is "only possible because of Meta Ray-Bans." That is true, but the Meta Ray-Bans look like a standard pair of glasses, and many people aren't aware when the glasses are being used to take photos. PimEyes said that it found the report "quite surprising" because its search engine is "not designed to identify individuals, either directly or indirectly."
Apple today released new public betas of tvOS 18.1 and HomePod Software 18.1, allowing non-developers to test the software ahead of when it is released later in October. The third betas come a week after the second betas.
Public beta testers who have signed up for Apple's public beta program can download tvOS 18.1 by opting in to beta updates through the Settings app on the Apple TV. HomePod software can be downloaded through the Home app on the iPhone. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner of the app, choose Home Settings, and then select Software Update.
tvOS software releases are usually minor in scale compared to other operating system updates, focusing primarily on smaller improvements rather than outward-facing changes. We don't know what's included in tvOS 18.1.
The HomePod and HomePod mini's software is also based on tvOS 18.1, and there is no word on what's in those updates either.
While we don't always know what's new in these betas, we let MacRumors readers know when the updates are available so those who want to update to the latest beta can do so.
We're getting closer to Prime Day on October 8, and in the lead-up to the shopping event Amazon has introduced a few discounts on some of Apple's newest accessories. This includes M4 iPad Pro Magic Keyboards, the new MagSafe Chargers, and Apple Pencil Pro.
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.
Magic Keyboard
Starting with the new 2024 Magic Keyboards, you can get the 11-inch model in Black for $279.00, down from $299.00. This is an all-time low price on the accessory and it has an estimated October 5-7 delivery date on Amazon.
Amazon also has the 13-inch M4 iPad Pro Magic Keyboard on sale, available for $326.00 in Black and $328.99 in White, down from $349.00. These are also record low prices on the Magic Keyboard, and you'll find similar delivery estimates of early October for these models.
Amazon recently introduced a few deals on Apple's new lineup of MagSafe Chargers, including the 1-meter model for $36.50 and 2-meter model for $45.50. Although these discounts represent just a few dollars in savings, they are the first notable sales on the 2024 MagSafe Chargers and the best deals you'll find online right now.
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.
Apple Pencil
Amazon is discounting both the USB-C Apple Pencil and Apple Pencil Pro in the lead-up to Prime Day, available for $69.00 and $116.00, respectively. In regards to the 2023 USB-C model, this is a match of the all-time low price on the accessory.
Apple has announced that transcriptions in the Apple Podcasts app will be available in eight additional languages starting today, according to Dutch website iCulture.nl. The transcripts were previously only available for podcasts spoken in English, French, German, and Spanish since the feature launched as part of iOS 17.4.
Transcriptions in the additional languages will be rolled out on a gradual basis for all iPhones and iPads running iOS 17.4 or iPadOS 17.4 and later.
For the first time in the standard AirPods range, the AirPods 4 offer optional active noise cancellation (ANC) for an additional $50, providing a quieter and more immersive listening experience, especially in noisy environments.
Key upgrades of the AirPods 4 include a more comfortable fit, improved sound quality with a new low-distortion driver, and enhanced features like Personalized Spatial Audio. Beyond active noise cancellation, there are a handful of additional features that differentiate the two AirPods 4 models. This buyer's guide breaks down all of the differences between the two variants and helps you to decide which best fits your needs.
AirPods (Fourth-Generation, 2024)
AirPods With ANC (Fourth-Generation, 2024)
Active Noise Cancellation
Transparency mode
Adaptive Audio
Conversation Awareness
USB-C Charging Case
USB‑C Wireless Charging Case with support for Apple Watch charger and Qi‑certified wireless chargers
Support for Find My with speaker in charging case
Charging case weighs 1.14 ounces (32.3 grams)
Charging case weighs 1.22 ounces (34.7 grams)
$129
$179
Choosing between the AirPods 4 and the AirPods 4 with ANC ultimately depends on whether active noise cancellation is a priority for you. If you frequently find yourself in noisy environments—such as commuting on public transport, traveling by plane, or working in cafes—the AirPods 4 with ANC should dramatically improve your experience for just $50 more. Although the noise cancellation is not as effective as that of the AirPods Pro because they do not have an in-ear design with silicone tips, they perform surprisingly well for open-ear earbuds and offer enough isolation to make a difference in lower-frequency environments like engine hums and busy streets.
The ability to charge with an Apple Watch or Qi wireless charger is also notable, making the AirPods 4 with ANC considerably more versatile to charge, especially if you have an Apple Watch. The $129 AirPods can only charge via a wired USB-C connection, which is less convenient than wireless charging. However, USB-C has become such a ubiquitous cable that it is unlikely to bother users who are used to wired charging.
Likewise, the speaker in the charging case for Find My is a useful additional feature for those prone to misplacing their AirPods around the house. These added capabilities generally make the AirPods 4 with ANC worth the extra $50 over the non-ANC model for most enthusiastic tech users.
On the other hand, if you haven't owned any AirPods before or simply don't feel the need for noise cancellation, the standard AirPods 4 will be a more economical choice. They retain the sound quality improvements, spatial audio, and comfort enhancements of the AirPods 4, but at a lower price point. For users upgrading from AirPods 2 or 3 and who rarely find themselves in noisy places, the AirPods 4 are a good choice that will give you most of the key updates without the extra cost or additional features you may not use.
AirPods can frequently be found for lower prices at third-party retailers, so be sure to check out MacRumors' deals roundup for the best possible price – which could reduce the price difference between the two variants and make the ANC model more accessible.
Best Buy might offer an unspecified iPad mini model on clearance "soon," according to a product listing that was spotted on the retailer's website.
The placeholder listing is for an Apple product with a "MINI WIFI" model name, and it is in the "tablets" section on Best Buy's online store. Altogether, this strongly suggests that the listing will be for an iPad mini. The device will apparently be available for a clearance price of $359.99 in the U.S., down from a regular price of $599. However, the iPad mini currently starts at $499, so the listing appears to have a pricing error.
If the listing ends up being for the iPad mini 6, it could hint at the iPad mini 7 coming soon. Or, this could be a nothingburger. We'll see!
Last month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said a new iPad mini was "on deck" for an Apple event this month, alongside the first Macs with M4 chips. However, he offered a more vague timeframe in his latest report this week, which stated that Apple was working on a new iPad mini that would "potentially" be released "by the end of 2024."
Rumored features for the next iPad mini over the previous model include a faster chip, upgraded front and rear cameras, a fix for "jelly scrolling" screen tearing in portrait orientation, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 support, and new color options.
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously said the next iPad mini would enter mass production in the second half of 2024.
Apple released the current iPad mini in September 2021, with new features at the time including a larger 8.3-inch display, a USB-C port, a Touch ID power button, the A15 Bionic chip, 5G support on cellular models, a 12-megapixel rear camera with Center Stage support, compatibility with the second-generation Apple Pencil, and more.
