MacRumors

Apple today seeded the eighth betas of iOS 13 and iPadOS to developers for testing purposes, a week after releasing the seventh betas and two months after unveiling the new operating system at the Worldwide Developers Conference.

Registered developers will need to download the profile for the iOS 13 and iPadOS betas from Apple's Developer Center. This beta, like earlier betas, can be downloaded over-the-air once the proper profile has been installed.

Apple split iOS 13 and iPadOS into separate updates in 2019, one designed for iPhone and one designed for iPad. iPadOS is identical to iOS 13 in almost every way, though there are some iPad-specific features such as new multitasking capabilities. For the most part, the two operating systems share the same features.

iOS 13 is a huge update with a long list of new features. Perhaps the most noticeable outward-facing change is a systemwide Dark Mode that changes the entire look of the operating system from light to dark, darkening everything from system elements to apps.

Apple overhauled the Photos app, introducing a new ‌Photos‌ tab that curates your entire ‌Photos‌ library and shows you a selection of highlights organized by day, month, or year, and there are revamped Photo editing tools.

For the first time, you can edit video right in the ‌Photos‌ app, cropping, rotating, applying filters, and adjusting lighting and color. There's a new High-Key Mono lighting effect, and for Portrait Lighting in general, intensity can be adjusted.

There's a less obtrusive volume HUD, a new Find My app that combines ‌Find My‌ ‌iPhone‌ and ‌Find My‌ Friends and lets you track your devices even with they don't have an LTE or WiFi connection.

A Sign In with Apple feature gives you a convenient and data safe way to sign into apps and websites, providing an alternative to Facebook and Google sign in options. Apple's even able to generate single-use randomized email addresses so you don't have to give your real info to apps and websites. Sign in with Apple requires developers to support the feature, so it won't be widely available until iOS 13 launches.

Maps features a new street-level "Look Around" mode and a Collections feature for making lists of places, Reminders has been entirely overhauled to make it more functional, there's a profile option in Messages along with new Memoji and Animoji stickers, and Siri has a new voice.

CarPlay in iOS 13 has been overhauled with a new look, multiple sets of AirPods (or Powerbeats Pro) can be connected to the same phone so you can share music with a friend, ‌Siri‌ on HomePod can detect multiple voices for multi-user support, and ‌HomePod‌ also supports Handoff.

There are a ton of additional new features and changes coming in iOS 13, and for a full rundown of what you can expect, you should check out our iOS 13 roundup.

Each new beta brings new features and changes to iOS 13, and the seventh beta added tweaks to ‌Find My‌, an option for deleting Message attachments, changes to the ‌Dark Mode‌ wording, new options for mail received by blocked senders, and more.

At least one case maker is expecting Apple Pencil support for the upcoming 2019 iPhones, despite no solid rumors suggesting the new devices will work with the ‌Apple Pencil‌.

Case site Mobile Fun is, as of this morning, stocking an "iPhone 11 Pro" case from Olixar with a built-in mini ‌Apple Pencil‌ holder. The case maker seems to believe Apple is designing a smaller version of the ‌Apple Pencil‌ that will work with at least the larger 6.5-inch ‌iPhone‌ XS Max successor.

The case in question is a rendering, not a real case, and it therefore doesn't offer concrete evidence that Apple is planning to introduce ‌Apple Pencil‌ support for the 2019 ‌iPhone‌ lineup. It's not even clear if Olixar has actually manufactured these cases, especially because the ‌Apple Pencil‌ sleeve on the back doesn't look functional. From the accessory's description:

Crafted from premium genuine leather, this exquisite grey case from Olixar for the iPhone 11 Pro provides stunning style and prestigious protection for your phone in a slim and sleek package, with the added convenience of an Apple Pencil sleeve.

There have been some rumors and analyst predictions hinting at ‌Apple Pencil‌ support, but thus far we've heard nothing from a reliable source.

Were Apple indeed developing a miniature version of the ‌Apple Pencil‌ that works with the 2019 ‌iPhone‌, it's likely we would have heard more about it by this point given the detailed rumors we've heard about other aspects of the 2019 ‌iPhone‌ lineup.

That said, Korean site The Investor said in 2017 that Apple would introduce ‌Apple Pencil‌ support for ‌iPhone‌ as soon as 2019, and recently, Citi Research listed the Apple Pencil as one prospective feature for the new devices.

One reliable source, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, has said that ‌Apple Pencil‌ support is a possibility for a future iPhone, but that was in 2018 and he has made no further mention about ‌Apple Pencil‌ support in the 2019 device lineup.

Many times, early case designs for upcoming iPhones are accurate because there's a lot of money in being first to design a case for a new device, but in this situation, Olixar may just be aiming to draw eyes to its brand name using a case rendering for a feature that's interesting, but likely not coming.

For details on all of the features we do expect in the 2019 ‌iPhone‌ lineup, such as triple-lens cameras, bilateral wireless charging, larger batteries, and more, make sure to check out our 2019 iPhone roundup.

Just weeks away from its annual September event, Apple has filed several unreleased iPhone, Apple Watch, and Mac model numbers with the Eurasian Economic Commission today, according to filings uncovered by MacRumors.

There appears to be over a dozen new ‌iPhone‌ models listed as running iOS 13, including A2111, A2160, A2161, A2215, A2216, A2217, A2218, A2219, A2220, A2221, A2223, A2296, and A2298, as well as four new Apple Watch models listed as running watchOS 6, including A2156, A2157, A2092, and A2093.

All of those ‌iPhone‌ models except A2296 and A2298 were previously filed in May as running iOS 12, and have now been updated to reflect that they are running iOS 13, while the Apple Watch listings have never been seen before.

As for the Mac, 11 model numbers have been filed, but all of them have either been released or were already filed in June as running macOS Mojave and have merely been updated to reflect macOS Catalina. At least one of these models could certainly be the 16-inch MacBook Pro rumored to launch this fall.

The filings do not reveal specific product names, so we cannot confirm details like whether the Apple Watch models are considered Apple Watch Series 5 models, but new models of some kind are evidently coming. Leaked assets from watchOS 6 recently revealed upcoming titanium and ceramic Apple Watch finishes.

The new ‌iPhone‌ and Apple Watch models will very likely be unveiled in September, while the new Macs will likely arrive in October or later.

There are also some already-released products on the list that have been filed as running Apple's latest operating systems, including various older ‌iPhone‌, iPod touch, Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models.

Eurasian Economic Commission filings like these have foreshadowed the release of new Apple products on numerous occasions, including multiple iPad, iPad Pro, ‌iPhone‌, Mac, Apple Watch, and AirPods models. The filings are legally required for any encrypted devices sold in Russia and select other countries.

Apple is widely expected to unveil three new iPhones in just under three weeks, and ahead of time, Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes has shared a laundry list of its expectations for the devices.

The paywalled report corroborates several existing rumors, including the 2019 iPhones having the same display sizes as the 2018 lineup, including 5.8-inch OLED, 6.5-inch OLED, and 6.1-inch LCD models. All three iPhones are said to feature Face ID, with no changes to the notch area and no 3D Touch.

DigiTimes also expects the 2019 iPhones to feature A13 processors manufactured based on TSMC's 7nm process, two-way charging of wearables like the Apple Watch and AirPods on the back of the iPhones, and new colors, in line with a previous rumor of new green and lavender finishes for the next iPhone XR.

The report adds that battery capacities will increase to around 3,200 mAh, 3,500 mAh, and 3,000 mAh for the next iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR respectively, which would be around 20 percent, 10 percent, and two percent larger than the batteries in the equivalent 2018 iPhones.

Korean website The Elec previously claimed the next iPhone XR will sport a 3,110 mAh battery, which could still be accurate given that DigiTimes appears to be roughly estimating its reported capacities.

And, of course, more cameras. The next iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models are widely expected to sport triple-lens rear cameras, while the next iPhone XR is rumored to gain a dual-lens rear camera. On the higher-end models, the third lens is rumored to enable a "0.5x" ultra-wide-angle viewfinder.

Much of this information has already been outlined by respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, including two-way charging and battery capacities increasing by roughly the percentages outlined above, but this information from the DigiTimes Research division in Taiwan adds further credence as the new iPhones near launch.

The report does outline one new possibility, claiming that Apple may release a 5.8-inch iPhone with dual nano-SIM support this year, which would likely be limited to the Chinese market. Last year, Apple released the iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR with dual nano-SIM slots in China, but the iPhone XS lacked this.

All three iPhones feature dual SIM support in other countries by way of a single nano-SIM paired with an eSIM inside the device. This functionality enables iPhone users to have two phone numbers available at once, which is useful for travel or having both personal and work lines on a single iPhone.

Tuesday, September 10 is the widely predicted date of Apple's event, with invites to the media likely to be issued towards the end of August. MacRumors will have live coverage of the keynote as usual.

For more rumors, read our 2019 iPhones roundup.

Apple's 2019 iPhones will come with a USB-C charger as well as a Lightning to USB-C cable in the box, according to a new rumor today.

Hong Kong website ChargerLAB claimed in a tweet that Apple will do away with its original 5-watt charger and instead include a USB-C charger that will enable twice-as-fast iPhone charging times without ditching the Lightning connector. The leak is said to have been confirmed by a "high level executive," according to the site.

ChargerLAB has a mixed track record when it comes to Apple rumors. The site incorrectly claimed the USB-C charger would be coming to last year's OLED iPhones, although Apple did debut a USB-C charger in its 2018 iPad Pro models, which now feature USB-C ports instead of Lightning.

ChargerLAB also claimed in January that Apple's ill-fated AirPower had entered mass production – the wireless charging mat was in fact canceled by the company in March.

Despite that, its latest charging claim does at least have precedent. Japanese site Mac Otakara said in April that Apple could include an 18W USB-C power adapter with the 2019 iPhones along with a USB-C to Lightning cable.

It's not clear if this is accurate, however, as a different report from Mac Otakara said Apple would continue to include a 5W charger with a USB-A to Lightning cable with the 2019 ‌iPhone‌ lineup.

Either way, we'll know soon enough. Apple is expected to announce its new ‌iPhone‌ lineup at a media event next month – most likely on September 10, if an iOS 13 beta screenshot is anything to go by. Like the 2018 iPhones, the new lineup is expected to consist of 5.8 and 6.5-inch OLED devices alongside a 6.1-inch LCD ‌iPhone‌ that's more affordable.

The new iPhones will look largely similar to last year's models, with the exception of new rear camera setups. We don't know for sure what Apple will call the new iPhones, but ‌iPhone‌ 11 is a possibility for the ‌iPhone‌ XS successors. For more on what's expected in 2019, make sure to check out our comprehensive iPhone roundup.

Apple is in the final stages of certifying flexible OLED panels produced by BOE Display for use in future iPhones, according to a new report out today.

The Nikkei Asian Review says Apple is "aggressively testing" screens made by the Chinese company, as it considers taking on BOE as an OLED supplier to cut costs and reduce its reliance on Samsung, which is believed to be Apple's primary supplier of OLED displays.

BOE is the world's top producer of large liquid crystal screens and already makes liquid crystal displays for Apple's iPads and MacBooks, but the firm has its sights set firmly on the expanding OLED panel market, which is expected to be worth more than $30 billion this year, up from $25.5 billion in 2018.

At the same time, Apple is seeking to diversify its supply chain as much as possible. The company often tries to secure at least two suppliers for any given component in order to reduce its supply chain risk and improve its bargaining position. Given that Samsung's OLED panel is the most expensive component in the iPhone XS and XS Max, bringing on board another supplier would be a significant coup for Apple.

According to today's report, Apple is currently testing flexible OLED displays from BOE's facility in Chengdu, Sichuan province, which is China's first site to produce the advanced displays. BOE is also building another facility in Sichuan province, which would be allocated to Apple if it places orders, Nikkei's sources said.

Two sources with knowledge of the situation said BOE was likely to supply the new iPhones next year if it wins certification. But it might first be asked to offer displays for repair purposes, as well as panels for older models of iPhones, one source suggested. That would still mark a significant milestone for BOE, the source said, as it would be Apple's first-ever purchase of Chinese-made OLED displays.

LG is believed to be the only other OLED supplier Apple is considering for future iPhones. LG already supplies OLED displays for the Apple Watch, but Apple will only order them for iPhones if the South Korean firm can meet the component's high quality control standards – LG reportedly temporarily halted one of its OLED display production lines due to manufacturing challenges earlier this year.

Rumors suggest Apple will complete its transition to an all-OLED lineup in 2020, releasing high-end 5.4-inch and 6.7-inch models with OLED displays and a lower-end 6.1-inch model with an OLED display, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Apple is delaying its plans to limit third-party tracking and ads in apps designed for children, reports The Washington Post.

The company's decision comes following an inquiry from The Washington Post about app developers who are unhappy with the changes and what it means for the way free apps for children function.

Earlier this year, there were reports suggesting Apple would limit third-party ad tracking in apps aimed at kids to better protect their privacy, and Apple formally announced changes in June. Apple initially planned to roll out these changes in September, but is now holding off to give developers more time to adjust to the new rules.

Following an inquiry from The Washington Post, Apple said Friday that it now plans to delay the rule changes. "We aren't backing off on this important issue, but we are working to help developers get there," Apple spokesman Fred Sainz wrote in an emailed statement. The statement said some developers had asked Apple to clarify the new rules, but that "generally we have heard from them that there is widespread support for what we are trying to do to protect kids."

Apple's new App Store guidelines prevent apps for kids from using third-party analytics services, which can collect a lot of data about usage habits. Apple is also "severely curtailing" ad sales in kids apps.

In order to help keep kids' data private, apps in the kids category and apps intended for kids cannot include third-party advertising or analytics software and may not transmit data to third parties. This guideline is now enforced for new apps. Existing apps must follow this guideline by September 3, 2019.

Gerald Youngblood, the developer behind the Tankee video gaming app for kids, told The Washington Post that Apple's new rules could limit Tankee's ability to show ads, thus impacting his decision to make the app free.

Tankee shouldn't be lumped in with the apps that are negligent and fail to protect children, Youngblood said. "We thought they were going to shut down these apps that are ignoring privacy and targeting kids," he said. "We were built with privacy as a foundation."

Several other app developers and creators echoed concerns about the changes, including Dylan Collins, the chief executive of SuperAwesome, a company designed to help developers navigate child-privacy laws. "This will simply kill the kids app category," he told The Washington Post.

Apple has not said how many children's apps collect personally identifiable information on children, making it unclear how widespread the issue is. Rather than blanket banning all tracking and cutting down on ads, developers want Apple to mandate that all kids apps use advertising and analytics vetted for safety.

Developers also take issue with the fact that the new rules don't prevent developers themselves from collecting data or showing ads, it simply limits third-party options. Developers say that Apple's new restrictions will simply incentivize them to start developing apps technically made for adults, even if the users end up being children.

Apple's Phil Schiller told The Washington Post that Apple initially tried contacting developers and advertising software operators to ask them to remove inappropriate ads, but that approach ultimately failed. Schiller went on to say that Apple spoke to some developer ahead of implementing the new rules. "We gathered enough data that we're doing the right thing," said Schiller.

It's not clear how and when Apple will ultimately implement the app changes that it outlined in June, and it's not known if the company plans to make alterations before rolling out new guidelines.

The Washington Post's full article has more detail on how the changes could impact apps designed for kids and it's well worth checking out if you're a developer or a parent.