MacRumors

Apple in iOS 18 plans to use language models to make Siri smarter, according to The Information. Apple wants ‌Siri‌ to be able to help users automate complex, multi-step tasks with voice-based commands.

As an example, ‌Siri‌ might be able to do something like take a series of five photos, turn them into a GIF, and send the resulting GIF to a friend, all as one single action. Automatically converting photos into a GIF is possible right now with the Shortcuts app, but it has to be set up manually.

‌Siri‌'s functionality will be similar to what's possible with the Shortcuts app, and it is likely that it will see ‌Siri‌ integrating more deeply with Shortcuts. Shortcuts have become a key part of the iPhone operating system and can be used for some powerful automated actions. Apple maintains a gallery of Shortcut options for everything from removing backgrounds from images to creating chore lists.

The Information says that Apple is aiming to release the new ‌Siri‌ capabilities as part of the ‌iPhone‌'s operating system next year, which suggests that it will be part of ‌iOS 18‌. Apple competitor Google is also working to upgrade Google Assistant with language model software able to handle more complex tasks, so Apple may want to beat Google to the punch or at least launch similar functionality around the same time.

Apple's ‌Siri‌ personal assistant has long been criticized for being notably behind voice assistants from other companies like Google and Alexa, primarily due to Apple's focus on security and privacy. Many ‌Siri‌ tasks are performed on-device rather than through a cloud server, so Apple will need to find a balance between privacy and functionality with the adoption of language models for ‌Siri‌.

The iOS 17 update that is set to see a public release in just a couple of weeks has very little in the way of new Siri functionality, but there is key functionality that would be a precursor to multi-step tasks. ‌Siri‌ in ‌iOS 17‌ able to recognize and respond to multiple back-to-back requests without needing to be reactivated, something not possible in iOS 16. You can, for example, ask ‌Siri‌ the time and follow that up with a request to text your friend that you're going to be late without two separate requests.

With ‌iOS 17‌, Apple is also eliminating the "Hey" wake word, so you are now able to just say "‌Siri‌" to activate the personal assistant. Eliminating "Hey" allows for more natural ‌Siri‌ interactions.

Apple follows a strict schedule for its software releases, so we can expect to see ‌iOS 18‌'s feature set unveiled at the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference.

Apple has significantly ramped up its spending on artificial intelligence, according to a new report from The Information that highlights Apple's AI and machine learning research.

Though Apple's AI chief John Giannandrea is said to be skeptical of AI chatbots, he established a team that is working on conversational AI four years ago. We have heard prior rumors about "Apple GPT" from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman in July said that Apple was experimenting with large language models, and some Apple employees have access to an "Ajax" internal chatbot.

With the 2022 debut of OpenAI's ChatGPT, chatbots suddenly became the must-have feature. Microsoft and Google have both launched chatbots, but there are so far no signs that Apple has a consumer-oriented product launching in the near future.

Apple's "Foundational Models" team that works on conversational AI includes just 16 people, but Apple is spending millions of dollars per day training its language models. Training large language models requires a lot of hardware, and as an example, OpenAI Sam Altman said the company spent more than $100 million for GPT-4.

According to The Information, Apple has other AI goals. The company is aiming to develop a feature that would allow a voice assistant like Siri to automate multi-step tasks. That functionality is available on the iPhone today, but workflows must be manually set up using the Shortcuts app.

The ‌Siri‌ team could have multi-step voice-controlled automation ready for use in iOS 18.

Apple also appears to have AI teams that are working on software to generate videos and images and multimodal AI that works with images, video, and text. The aforementioned Ajax chatbot that Apple is working with is supposedly more capable than the original ChatGPT 3.5 and has been trained on 200 billion parameters, but OpenAI's newer models are more powerful.

Apple plans to use its own modem chip for iPhones starting in 2025, according to information shared today by supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. He previously said the fourth-generation iPhone SE would be Apple's first device with the custom-designed 5G modem, but it's not entirely clear if this is still the plan anymore.

In July, it was reported that mass-production of the fourth-generation iPhone SE was delayed until 2025, so there is still a chance that it could be the first device with Apple's modem, but there have been conflicting rumors about the project.

Apple has reportedly been planning its own modem for over five years, and it acquired the majority of Intel's smartphone modem business in 2019. Based on the 2025 timeframe, iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models are expected to stick with Qualcomm modems. The switch to an Apple modem could begin with a future iPhone SE and iPhone 17 models, if previously reported development challenges can be overcome.

It's unclear if an Apple-designed 5G modem would have any consumer benefits over Qualcomm modems, but it would reduce Apple's reliance on Qualcomm on the supplier side. In 2017, Apple sued Qualcomm over alleged anticompetitive practices and $1 billion in unpaid royalty rebates. The two companies settled the lawsuit in 2019.

Apple's 256GB M2 Mac mini has returned to its all-time low price on B&H Photo, available for $499.00, down from $599.00. B&H Photo offers free two-day shipping on the Mac mini, with delivery as soon as September 8 for most states.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Apple updated the Mac mini back in January, introducing the M2 and M2 Pro chips into the computer. We started tracking this all-time low price tag around springtime and as of now only B&H Photo is offering the sale.

B&H Photo also has the 512GB M2 Pro Mac mini for $1,149.00, down from $1,299.00. This one is a second-best price on the Mac Mini, but it's been a few months since we last tracked a record low price on the model so it's still a solid price for anyone in the market for the M2 Pro model.

Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

While major new macOS versions were released in October or November for the past four years, there is a chance that macOS Sonoma could be released in September this year, based on how beta testing of the update is progressing.

As noted by @iSWUpdates on X, the seventh beta of macOS Sonoma seeded to developers last week has a build number ending in "a," while the seventh beta of macOS Ventura had a build number ending in "f" last year. A build number ending with an earlier letter in the alphabet typically indicates that beta testing is closer to completion.

macOS Mojave was released in September back in 2018. The seventh beta of that update also had a build number ending in "a."

macOS release dates since 2016:

• macOS Sierra: September 20, 2016
• macOS High Sierra: September 25, 2017
• macOS Mojave: September 24, 2018
• macOS Catalina: October 7, 2019
• macOS Big Sur: November 12, 2020
• macOS Monterey: October 25, 2021
• macOS Ventura: October 24, 2022

Other updates expected to be released in September include iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, tvOS 17, and HomePod software version 17.

There is no guarantee that Apple's past plans hint at the company's future plans, of course, so keep in mind that this is merely speculation. macOS Ventura had eleven beta versions and a Release Candidate before it was publicly released, while macOS Sonoma is only up to seven beta versions so far, so an October release cannot be ruled out. It is simply looking more likely that a September release could be in the cards in this year.

Apple today began accepting orders for Beats Studio Buds+ in new Cosmic Silver and Cosmic Pink color options that were announced last month. There are no other changes to the earbuds, and they remain priced at $169.99 in the United States. The original Transparent, Ivory, and Black color options that launched in May remain available.

Beats Studio Buds+ are essentially a sportier alternative to the AirPods Pro. Key features of the earbuds include up to 36 hours of battery life with the included USB-C charging case, and up to 1.6× as much active noise cancellation as the original Studio Buds. For more details about the earbuds, check out our hands-on coverage from May.

These earbuds are one of two major new Beats products released this year, with the other being new Studio Pro over-ear headphones in July.

Apple's 256GB 13.6-inch M2 MacBook Air is being discounted to $929.00 today on B&H Photo, down from $1,099.00. This sale is only available on B&H Photo as of writing, and you can get free two-day shipping on all versions of the computer.

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.

At $170 off this beats B&H Photo's previous discount from August by $20 and is an overall solid second-best price on the 256GB notebook. All four colors are available at this price: Space Gray, Silver, Midnight, and Starlight.

Additionally, you can get the 512GB M2 13.6-inch MacBook Air on sale at B&H Photo. This model has hit $1,199.00, down from $1,399.00, which is an all-time low price. It's available in Midnight, Starlight, and Silver.

Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 15 series at an event on Tuesday, September 12, and camera upgrades across the devices will be the "star of the show," according to a report today from Taiwanese research firm TrendForce. The upgrades are said to be a "pivotal factor" that "could tip the scales for potential buyers."

As previously rumored, TrendForce said both the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will be equipped with a stacked camera sensor supplied by Sony. Previous reports have indicated that this sensor will be able to capture more light, and the research firm said this will allow for improved dynamic range in photos.

TrendForce also corroborated rumors that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will be equipped with a periscope telephoto lens that boosts the device's optical zoom capabilities. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously said the lens will allow for up to 5x or 6x optical zoom, compared to the current 3x limit on the iPhone 14 Pro models.

Last, the research firm said all four iPhone 15 models will be equipped with a USB-C port and the Dynamic Island, as widely rumored. Replacing the notch on the iPhone 14 Pro models last year, the Dynamic Island surrounds the front camera and Face ID sensors, and it shows information such as system alerts and Live Activities.

Additional features are expected for the Pro models, including a lighter-weight titanium frame, customizable Action button, A17 Bionic chip, Wi-Fi 6E support, and more. For more details, read our in-depth iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro roundups.

Apple's App Store, Safari browser, and iOS operating system have today formally been designated as "gatekeepers" in the European Union, an official classification that requires adherence to strict new regulations (via Bloomberg).

The EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) seeks to curtail the power of major tech companies. Designated "gatekeeper" platforms will now face prohibition against favoring their own services over those of rivals. These platforms will also be prevented from combining personal data across different services and will have to allow users the option to download apps from alternative platforms. In a statement, Apple told Bloomberg "We remain very concerned about the privacy and data security risks the DMA poses for our users."

While Apple's ‌App Store‌, Safari, and iOS have been officially classified as gatekeepers, iMessage currently remains exempt from the list. Apple has recently stated that the user base of its iMessage service in Europe may not be large enough to warrant its inclusion under the DMA's regulations. The European Commission is in the process of investigating the validity of this claim, alongside Microsoft's Bing and Edge.

Alongside Apple, the European Commission has also listed services from other technology firms including Alphabet's Google Search, Amazon's marketplace, and Bytedance's TikTok, bringing the total to 22 services that now fall under DMA's provisions.

To be classified as a "gatekeeper" under the DMA, a company must fulfill certain criteria, including having sales across the EU of at least €7.5 billion, or a market capitalization of €75 billion or above. The designation also requires platforms or services to have more than 45 million monthly active users and over 10,000 active business users annually within the EU.

Companies that do not adhere to the new regulations risk facing EU investigations, substantial fines, and the imposition of "behavioral or structural remedies." The fines can amount to 10 percent of a company's global turnover, with a 20 percent penalty for repeat violations.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

The iPhone 15's expected move to USB-C this year may motivate a large number of Android users to switch phones, according to a survey conducted by SellCell.

SellCell asked over 1,000 iPhone users and over 1,000 Android users in the United States to gather its data. Of existing iPhone users surveyed, 63% said that Apple moving to a USB-C charging port would influence their decision to upgrade to an iPhone 15.

Of those that would be motivated to buy because of USB-C, the majority of iPhone users (37%) said they would upgrade because they would be able to use a single charging cable for iPhones, Macs, and iPads. Overall, 66% of iPhone users said that they will upgrade to an iPhone 15.

Perhaps the most surprising result of the survey was the number of Android users whose interest had been piqued by Apple's heavily rumored switch to the charging standard: 44% of existing Android owners surveyed said they would be tempted to buy an iPhone 15 if Apple adopts a USB-C port for the device. In the same group, 35% said their motivation stemmed from the fact that the iPhone would become compatible with chargers for non-Apple devices.

In the cohort of existing Android fans, 66% overall said they would not be buying an iPhone 15, and 34% said they will potentially upgrade to the iPhone 15.

Apple has kept the Lightning port on the ‌iPhone‌ for over 10 years. The company's proprietary charging port was introduced in September 2012 with the iPhone 5, but in recent years Apple's Macs and iPads have all transitioned to the more common USB-C charging standard. Apple's expected decision to switch the iPhone to USB-C this year was facilitated by pressure to comply with new regulations implemented in Europe for all consumer mobile and laptop devices to use a universal charging standard.

• What Not to Expect at Apple's 'Wonderlust' September 12 Event

Apple is expected to unveil its new iPhone 15 lineup at its "Wonderlust" September 12 event, alongside the Apple Watch Series 9 and a second-generation Apple Watch Ultra, among other possible new products.

Apple has signed a new deal with British chip design company Arm to license its chip technology that extends beyond 2040, reports Reuters.

News of the deal emerged in documents filed on Tuesday for Arm's initial public offering, which the company has priced at $52 billion.

"We have entered into a new long-term agreement with Apple that extends beyond 2040, continuing our longstanding relationship of collaboration with Apple and Apple's access to the Arm architecture," said Arm in the IPO document.

Arm's hardware underpins all of Apple's custom silicon processors such as the A15 in the iPhone 14 and the M2 in the MacBook Pro, since Apple licenses the Arm instruction set.

The document reveals that companies including Apple, AMD, Google, Intel, Nvidia, Samsung, and TSMC, have "indicated an interest" in buying "up to an aggregate" of $735 million in Arm shares. TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, has said it will decide this week whether to invest in the chip designer. By holding Arm's shares, chipmakers will hope to have sway over Arm's management.

Japan-based SoftBank has been preparing for an IPO since its plan to sell Arm to Nvidia became subject to regulatory scrutiny. California-based Nvidia in January 2022 abandoned the purchase when it became clear that the deal would be blocked by the FTC.

The relationship between Apple and Arm is one of the longest in the chip business – Apple was one of the first companies to partner with the firm when it was founded in 1990, prior to the release of Apple's Newton handheld computer, which used an Arm-based chip.

• Apple's Biggest Hardware Flops of All Time

The Newton was a flop, but Arm wasn't. It went on to develop integrated circuit design data that is generally considered to be the "blueprint" for semiconductors. Arm licenses its chip designs to over 500 companies, and its architecture is used in 95 percent of the world's smartphones.

Employees at Apple retail stores are planning for overnight updates following the September 12 "Wonderlust" event, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple retail workers will be getting stores ready for the launch of the iPhone 15 models and other devices.

Gurman suggests that the overnight update could be because Apple is planning for near-immediate availability of new products after the event, but it could also be time that is used to put up new marketing materials. It is not unusual for Apple retail stores to receive overnight updates ahead of new product launches.

If Apple follows past product debut timelines, the ‌iPhone 15‌ models will be available for pre-order on the Friday after the event (September 15), with a launch to follow the next Friday, which would be September 22. While there were rumors several weeks ago about potential delays for some of the iPhone 15 Pro models, more recent information has suggested those issues have been solved.

We are now expecting all four of the ‌iPhone 15‌ models to launch simultaneously, though it is likely that the 15 Pro and Pro Max will be available in more limited supply than the standard ‌iPhone 15‌ models.

Apple at the event is also expected to introduce new Apple Watch Series 9 models, the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and a version of the AirPods Pro 2 that come with a USB-C case. With the new iPhone models and the ‌AirPods Pro‌ transitioning to USB-C, the store downtime could be related to a push to inform customers about the change, but it could also be aimed at the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max, which will have a unique "periscope" telephoto lens.

With every iPhone iteration, Apple adds new functionality to the camera system, and the iPhone 15 series is no exception. MacRumors has obtained detailed information about the camera systems of the ‌iPhone 15‌ lineup, from the standard ‌iPhone 15‌ with upgraded 48-megapixel camera to the iPhone 15 Pro Max with its new periscope telephoto lens.

iPhone 15 and 15 Plus

• Main Camera: 48-megapixel image sensor, ƒ/1.6 aperture
• Ultra Wide Camera: 12-megapixel image sensor, ƒ/2.4 aperture

The base ‌iPhone 15‌ and ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus models are expected to feature an all-new 48-megapixel Sony image sensor, which is a substantial upgrade from the 12-megapixel Main camera on the iPhone 14. The increase in megapixels will allow for higher resolution images with improved detail. It's worth noting that this claim has been made repeatedly by a variety of sources – including industry analysts Jeff Pu and Ming-Chi Kuo, along with Weibo user "Digital Chat Station."

The ‌iPhone 15‌ is not expected to use the Sony IMX-803 image sensor from the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro, and will instead use a different Sony sensor with improved capabilities.

There is evidence that Apple tested different configurations of the base model ‌iPhone 15‌, one of which featured the rumored stacked camera sensor system, while the other did not. It is currently unclear whether or not the stacked sensor system is present on the final units. Stacked camera sensors allow for faster readout speeds and improved low-light imaging.

No significant upgrades are expected for the Ultra Wide camera, which is expected to continue to have a 12-megapixel resolution and an ƒ/2.4 aperture.

iPhone 15 Pro

• Main Camera: 48 megapixels, Sony IMX-803 image sensor, ƒ/1.78 aperture
• Telephoto Camera: 12.7 megapixels, ƒ/2.8 aperture
• Ultra Wide Camera: 13.4 megapixels, ƒ/2.2 aperture

As far as the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ is concerned, improvements focus mainly on the Telephoto and Ultra Wide cameras, with the Main camera still using the same Sony IMX-803 image sensor found in the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro. This information contradicts previous rumors suggesting that the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ and Pro Max would use the Sony IMX-903 image sensor. Both the Ultra Wide and Telephoto cameras will receive upgrades compared to the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro's 12-megapixel cameras, allowing for improved image quality and higher resolution photos.

iPhone 15 Pro Max

• Main Camera: 48 megapixels, Sony IMX-803 image sensor, ƒ/1.78 aperture
• Telephoto Camera: 12.7 megapixels, ƒ/2.8 aperture, periscope lens
• Ultra Wide Camera: 13.4 megapixels, ƒ/2.2 aperture

The ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max is the most interesting in the lineup by far. MacRumors has confirmed with industry sources that the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max will be equipped with an entirely new periscope lens system for the Telephoto camera, confirming previous claims from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. With periscope zoom technology, we can expect significant improvements to the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max's zoom capabilities. The ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max, for example, is limited to 3x zoom, but the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max is expected to have between 5x and 10x zoom.

Unlike most cameras that have an image sensor directly underneath the camera lens, folded optics systems use angled mirrors to reflect light toward the image sensor. The directional shift is what allows for optical zoom that surpasses what's possible using a standard telephoto camera system.

Apple likely decided to make the periscope lens exclusive to the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max for now due to space constraints. According to information from our sources, the camera module used in the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max is, to a certain extent, larger than the camera module in the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro models and the smaller ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌. Apple appears to have increased the size of the camera module to accommodate the periscope lens hardware, which in turn required other internal components like the midframe assembly to be shifted accordingly.

In 2024, the iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to increase in size to 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, giving Apple space for the periscope lens in both the Pro and Pro Max models. As noted by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, periscope zoom will not be limited to the larger Pro Max in the iPhone 16 lineup.

Along with periscope zoom, the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max will include the same 48-megapixel IMX-803 image sensor and Ultra Wide and Telephoto cameras as the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌.

It's worth noting that the information presented here is pre-production information, and may not necessarily reflect the exact hardware of mass production units, but it represents our best visibility into what Apple has been planning for the new ‌iPhone‌ lineup.

To read more on what to expect, check out our dedicated rumor roundups for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro.

Apple today announced that it plans to bring the new visionOS App Store to a developer beta release of ‌visionOS‌ this fall. The ‌App Store‌ will include apps and games built for ‌visionOS‌, plus it will offer iPhone and iPad apps that are able to run on the headset.

By default, ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌ apps will be published automatically on the ‌visionOS‌ ‌App Store‌, as most frameworks in iOS and iPadOS are included in ‌visionOS‌. If an app requires a feature that is not available on Apple Vision Pro, ‌App Store‌ Connect will inform the app developer that it is not compatible and will need updates before it is made available to consumers.

Developers that need to make changes can use the ‌visionOS‌ simulator in the Xcode 15 beta to interact with and test app functionality. Further testing can be done through a compatibility evaluation or at one of Apple's developer labs.

Apple says that almost all ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌ apps will be able to run on the Vision Pro headset as is. Developers who want to make an experience designed specifically for the Vision Pro can do so with the ‌visionOS‌ SDK. Apps that use the ‌visionOS‌ SDK will adopt the standard ‌visionOS‌ system appearance and 3D content tuned for eye and hand input can be included. More information is available on Apple's developer website.

Apple today seeded the ninth beta of the upcoming tvOS 17 beta to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming a week after Apple debuted the eighth beta.

Registered developers are able to download the tvOS 17 update by opting in to the beta through the Settings app on the Apple TV. A registered developer account is required.

tvOS updates don't typically garner as much attention as updates to iOS and macOS, and are never as feature rich, but tvOS 17 brings FaceTime to the TV for the first time. The ‌Apple TV‌ 4K can connect to an iPhone or iPad that serves as the camera, with the ‌FaceTime‌ interface showing up on the TV's screen.

All of the ‌FaceTime‌ features are available, including Center Stage to keep you front and center, plus there are new gesture-based reactions that let you use your hands to generate on-screen effects. For example, if you make a heart with your hands, the screen will display hearts.

Split View for ‌Apple TV‌ lets users watch television with friends and family using SharePlay, and there are controls for transferring calls between the TV and an ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌ as needed. Third-party apps like Zoom will also be able to take advantage of this functionality, so those apps will also work on the TV screen.

Control Center on ‌Apple TV‌ has been revamped and it is easier for users to access key settings and information, plus there is a new feature that allows the ‌iPhone‌ to locate a Siri Remote that's been misplaced.

tvOS also features a range of new aerial screen savers, adds support for third-party VPN apps, introduces Dolby Vision 8.1 on compatible devices, and more. Details can be found in our Apple TV roundup.

Apple recently added 2023 Mac Studio models to its online refurbished store in the U.S., but they are not in stock yet. Configurations will be available with the M2 Max chip or the M2 Ultra chip, and multiple RAM and storage capacities.

Apple released the second-generation Mac Studio at WWDC in June. The refurbished models will be discounted by approximately 15% compared to brand new models, according to the store listings, spotted by MacRumors reader Ryan Gregg. It's unclear when orders will begin, but availability will likely begin over the coming weeks.

In addition to faster chips, the 2023 Mac Studio gained support for Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, up to an 8K external display, and high-impedance headphones.

Apple tests, inspects, cleans, and repackages all refurbished Macs to ensure they are fully functional and in good condition, and Apple's refurbished products are covered by a one-year limited warranty and eligible for AppleCare+ coverage.

Other products listed on Apple's refurbished store but not in stock yet include the second-generation HomePod and the second-generation AirPods Pro.

Apple is gearing up for its upcoming iPhone-centric event that is set to take place on Tuesday, September 12, and the company today launched a YouTube livestream where viewers can sign up to get a reminder when the event kicks off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

In addition to streaming the event on YouTube, Apple also plans to make a video stream available through the Events website and the Apple TV app. MacRumors will have full coverage of the September 12 event as well, both on MacRumors.com and through our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.

Apple's fall event will see the unveiling of the iPhone 15 models, the Apple Watch Series 9, the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and a new version of the AirPods Pro charging case with USB-C.

Accessory maker Nomad today announced the launch of the new Base One Max 3-in-1, a high-end metal and glass charger that works with the iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch.

This is a MagSafe charger, so it is able to charge a compatible ‌iPhone‌ at up to 15W. All iPhones since the ‌iPhone‌ 12 are able to charge at 15W with a ‌MagSafe‌ charger, with the exception of the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 13 mini, which charge at 12W.

Design wise, the Base One Max 3-in-1 looks almost identical to the Base One Max that Nomad came out with last year, but it has an extra charging spot behind the Apple Watch charging puck to accommodate AirPods. The charger features a metal base and a glass-covered top, and it is one of the more attractive charging options on the market.

The Base One Max is heavy, weighing in at over 1.5 pounds, so it's not going anywhere on your desk or nightstand. At this weight, it's not a travel charger, but the heft is nice because it keeps the charger stable when you pick up you ‌iPhone‌. Nomad makes the charger in silver and carbide, with the former featuring white glass and the latter featuring black glass.

We were able to try out the charger for a couple of days ahead of launch, and it charges at the speed that Nomad advertises. The 15W charger works at up to 15W with ‌MagSafe‌ iPhones, and this charging spot can also be used with Qi-based devices. The dedicated AirPods charging spot charges at 5W, and the upright Apple Watch charging puck charges at the standard speed. It is worth noting that depending on your band, the Apple Watch can get in the way of the AirPods charging spot. Open bands are not an issue, but it is a tighter fit with closed bands like the Solo Loop, so there could be an issue with interrupted charging.

Nomad has not included a fast charge Apple Watch charging puck, so this is probably not a charger that you want to get if fast charging is a feature that you need. Fast charging is highly useful if you charge your Apple Watch briefly before sleep and before wearing it for the day, but for those who charge overnight, it's not as functional.

Because this is a flat ‌MagSafe‌ charger rather than one that is upright, it is not going to work with the new iOS 17 StandBy mode because that requires the ‌iPhone‌ to be placed in an upright horizontal position. The Base One Max 3-in-1 charges via USB-C, which is nice, but Nomad does not include the USB-C power adapter. Customers who buy this will need to power it with a 30W USB-C power adapter. While no adapter is included, it does come with a 2m USB-C to USB-C cable.

Nomad arguably makes some of the nicest chargers on the market, and if you're looking for something that is going to look stellar on your desk, this is the charger to pick up. At $170, though, it would be nice if it included a power adapter and faster Apple Watch charging because that is a premium price tag with a feature set that is not quite able to keep up with those from competitors.

The Base One Max 3-in-1 can be purchased from the Nomad website for $170.