MacRumors

Apple today seeded the golden master (GM) version of iOS 11 to developers. The golden master represents the final version of iOS 11 that will be released to the public, and it comes after a beta testing period that saw Apple release a record 10 betas.

Registered developers can download the iOS 11 golden master from the Apple Developer Center or over-the-air once the proper configuration profile has been installed.

iOS 11 is a major update to the operating system designed for the iPhone and the iPad. It introduces several new design changes like a customizable Control Center and a reimagined Lock screen that's been merged with the Notification Center, along with smaller tweaks like bolder fonts, redesigned app icons for major apps, and a revamped App Store.

Peer-to-peer Apple Pay payments are coming in the Messages app, a Do Not Disturb While Driving feature is designed to help drivers stay focused on the road, and Siri has been enhanced with a new more natural voice, cross-device syncing, and the ability to learn more about each user's habits.

Photos includes new editing options for Live Photos, the Camera app offers optical image stabilization for Portrait Mode, Apple Music lets you follow friends, Maps features indoor mapping and lane guidance, and Notes has a new Document Scanner and handwriting recognition.

ARKit for developers brings a range of new augmented reality apps and games to iOS devices, and a new Core ML SDK lets developers build smarter apps. iOS 11 is also the biggest update ever for the iPad, with a new Dock that introduces much improved multitasking, a Files app for better managing files, improved Apple Pencil support, a revamped App Switcher, and a system-wide drag and drop feature.

iOS 11 will be released to the public on Tuesday, September 19, three days ahead of the official launch date of the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus.

For more details on all of the new features included in iOS 11, make sure to check out our iOS 11 roundup.

Update: The GM version is also available to members of Apple's public beta program.

Apple announced the iPhone X during its special event at Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park, Cupertino, today. Apple CEO Tim Cook said the iPhone X was "the future of the smartphone" and will "set the path for technology for the next decade".

"For more than a decade, our intention has been to create an iPhone that is all display. The iPhone X is the realization of that vision," said Jony Ive, Apple’s chief design officer. "With the introduction of iPhone ten years ago, we revolutionized the mobile phone with Multi-Touch. iPhone X marks a new era for iPhone — one in which the device disappears into the experience."

The iPhone X, pronounced "ten", features a 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED edge-to-edge display with a 2436 x 1125 resolution and 458 pixels per inch, including HDR support in Dolby Vision and HDR10 formats, as well as True Tone technology.

The device uses touch-based gestures to interact with iOS 11 in lieu of a home button, and is powered by a next-generation A11 Bionic neural processor that handles world tracking and scene recognition, backed up by a GPU that enables graphics at 60 frames per second. The handset comprises a glass and stainless steel design, which features a front-facing camera with advanced facial recognition and authentication technology called Face ID.

The Face ID authentication process utilizes the 7-megapixel front-facing TrueDepth camera along with a dot projector, infrared camera, and flood illuminator, in order to accurately map and recognize the user's face, so that it can be used to authenticate Apple Pay and gain access to secure apps. By combining these technologies, Apple claims that Face ID learns to recognize the user's face under a variety of conditions, and can't be fooled by photographs, with a 1 in 1,000,000 chance of mismatch, which compares to 1 in 50,000 for Touch ID.

There's also a redesigned, vertically aligned dual-lens TrueDepth 12-megapixel rear camera, featuring Quad-LED True Tone flash with dual optical image stabilization, while Portrait mode with Portrait Lighting on both the front and rear cameras offers dramatic studio lighting effects for creating portraits with a shallow depth-of-field effect in five different lighting styles.

Elsewhere, the iPhone X's glass back supports wireless inductive charging that works with Qi-certified third-party charging devices, including pads offered by Mophie and Belkin. Apple also gave a sneak peek of AirPower, an Apple-designed wireless charging accessory coming in 2018, which offers an active charging area to simultaneously charge up to three devices, including Apple Watch Series 3 and a new optional wireless charging case for AirPods.

The iPhone X is fast-charge capable, while its surgical steel band is said to enhance its water and dust resistance at a microscopic level. The handset will be available in space gray and silver colors.

The iPhone X also supports new animated emoji, or "Animoji", thanks to the phone's new 3D sensing capability, enabling users to create custom 3D animated emoji based on facial expressions picked up by the camera. The new A11 Bionic chip is also tuned for augmented reality experiences made using Apple's ARKit software framework.

The iPhone X comes in 64GB and 256GB storage capacities, costing $999 and $1149, respectively. The iPhone X will be available to pre-order from October 27 and will ship on November 3.

Apple today officially announced the all-new "iPhone 8" and 'iPhone 8 Plus." The iPhones are made from glass, combined with an aluminum frame design, and both come in three colors: Silver, Space Gray, and a new Gold finish

The backs of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are made from "the most durable glass ever in a smartphone," according to Apple, and each one is color-matched to an aerospace-grade aluminum bezel. Both devices are splash, water, and dust resistant to IP67 standards.

The iPhone 8 measures in at 4.7 inches and the iPhone 8 Plus is 5.5 inches, like the past few models of iPhone, and they come with a new Retina HD display with True Tone technology. True Tone adjusts the white balance of the display to match the surrounding light so looking at the iPhone 8 provides a "more natural, paper-like" experience.

“iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are a new generation of iPhone that improve on everything we love about iPhone,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus have new glass and aluminum designs, new Retina HD displays and A11 Bionic — the smartest chip ever in a smartphone. Packed with more advanced cameras with Portrait mode and Portrait Lighting, and the highest quality video capture in a smartphone, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus enable the freedom of wireless charging, all with AR optimization like no phone ever before.”

Apple said that the speakers have been redesigned and are as much as 25 percent louder and deliver deeper bass than the iPhone 7. All of the iPhone 8's new technology is powered by the A11 Bionic chip, featuring a six-core CPU design with two performance cores and four efficiency cores. A11 Bionic integrates an Apple-designed GPU for "up to 30 percent faster" graphics performance than the A10.

All of these advancements will help boost app performance on the new iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, particularly including the new ARKit-fueled augmented reality experiences. The A11 Bionic chip handles world tracking, scene recognition, and the GPU enables graphics running at 60fps.

The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are each getting a "more advanced" 12-megapixel rear camera, with a faster and larger sensor, new color filter, and deeper pixels. Each smartphone includes Portrait mode with Portrait Lighting, which introduces studio lighting effects to iPhone, letting users change the depth-of-field effect with five different lighting styles.

In terms of video, users can capture 4K video up to 60fps and 1080p, and slo-mo up to 240fps. Thanks to HEIF and HEVC in iOS 11, there will also be room for twice the photos and videos.

The glass backs of the iPhones enable wireless charging on inductive charging pads, and support the Qi ecosystem of accessories. Apple's own mat is called the "AirPower mat" and it'll launch sometime in 2018 with the ability and room to charge an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously. Before that, users will be able to purchase mats from Mophie and Belkin to use iPhone 8 inductive charging.

The iPhone 8 will be available in 64GB ($699) and 256GB ($849), while the iPhone 8 Plus will be available in 64GB ($799) and 256GB ($949). Each device will be available to order starting Friday, September 15 and then launch September 22.

Upon launch, the iPhones will be available in the following territories: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, the UK, the US, and US Virgin Islands.

Apple today at the Steve Jobs Theater announced a new generation of Apple Watch called Apple Watch Series 3.

Apple Watch Series 3 is available with cellular capabilities built right into the device, so you can leave your iPhone behind and still send or receive calls and messages, listen to Apple Music, and more over LTE or 3G. Apple Watch shares the same phone number as your iPhone, but it requires an add-on plan.

Apple Watch Series 3 is also available in a Wi-Fi + GPS version without cellular. All models feature a 70 percent faster dual-core processor, a new Apple W2 chip, and a barometric altimeter.

Series 3 models look the same as Series 2 models, with 38mm and 42mm sizes in gold, silver or space gray aluminum, or silver or space black stainless steel.

Apple Watch Series 3 pre-orders start on Friday, September 15, with in-store availability beginning September 22, in the United States, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Wi-Fi + GPS models start at $329, while Wi-Fi + GPS + Cellular models start at $399.

In addition, watchOS 4 includes a Heart Rate complication, and the smart watch can measure new heart rate data like resting heart rate. The Apple Watch will also notify you when it detects an elevated heart rate, and can even detect irregular heart beat rhythm thanks to the new "Apple Heart Study." watchOS 4 debuts September 19.

Apple today at Steve Jobs Theater announced a fifth-generation Apple TV with support for both 4K and High Dynamic Range (HDR) video.

The new Apple TV 4K supports HDR in both the HDR10 and Dolby Vision standards.

Apple TV 4K is powered by an Apple A10X chip, which delivers up to two times the CPU performance and up to four times the GPU performance compared to the previous-generation Apple TV.

Apple services chief Eddy Cue said the price of 4K HDR movies on iTunes will be the same price as HD movies, and users will get automatic upgrades of HD titles in their existing iTunes library to 4K HDR versions when they become available for no additional charge.

4K content will also be available from popular services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video on the new Apple TV coming soon.

Apple TV 4K is available with 32GB or 64GB of storage for $179 and $199 respectively. It can be ordered starting September 15, with in-store availability starting September 22.

With support for AirPlay 2, coming later this year, Apple TV can control multiple AirPlay 2-compatible speakers as well as your home theater speakers to create the ultimate home music experience.

The fourth-generation Apple TV did not receive a price cut and remains available for $149.

Apple's first-ever event at the Steve Jobs Theater begins at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, where it is widely expected to unveil the iPhone X, a new Apple TV with 4K video, and Apple Watch Series 3 models with LTE connectivity.

We should also be hearing final details and the official release date for iOS 11, and likely macOS High Sierra, watchOS 4, and tvOS 11 as well. And, of course, there may be plenty of other announcements and surprises in the cards.

Apple is providing a live video stream on its website and via the Apple Events app on Apple TV. We've shared instructions on how to watch along with a list of when the keynote starts in time zones around the world.

In addition to Apple's video stream, we will be updating this article with live blog coverage—no need to refresh—and issuing Twitter updates through our @MacRumorsLive account as the keynote unfolds.

Highlights from the event and separate news stories regarding today's announcements will go out through our @MacRumors account.

Apple's online store is currently down in advance of the event. It should be accessible again shortly after the keynote.

Apple's event has concluded. Liveblog updates are available after the break...

➜ Click here to read rest of article...

Apple isn't prepared to debut its own first-party wireless charging accessory for the upcoming iPhones, according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus are all expected to support inductive wireless charging when they are announced later today, so in the interim between the smartphones' launch and the launch of a first-party Apple wireless charging pad, users will have to purchase third-party accessories.

Apple isn't ready for the launch of its own wireless charging accessory because it has "higher requirements for wireless charger RF specifications," according to Kuo. This means that there is currently no definite timetable for the mass production of Apple's accessory, and it's unclear when such a device will launch. Apple might even be waiting for certain "technological breakthroughs" before ramping up production.

Apple’s own-brand wireless charger is not expected to debut at the media event, which we believe is primarily because Apple has higher requirements for wireless charger RF specifications, so there will be no definite mass production timetable prior to technological breakthroughs. However, the new iPhone models supports the WPC standard, so we think users will be able to purchase and use non-Apple WPC-compliant wireless chargers with the new iPhone models.

In the same report, Kuo said that Foxconn is planning to see a significant ramp-up in production on its 5.5-inch LCD iPhone assembly line, by as much as 70-80 percent. This falls in line with previous reports that said Apple plans to boost production and availability of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, while the OLED iPhone X will be particularly difficult to come by early on.

We're now just a few hours away from the official unveiling of the tenth-generation iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, Apple TV 4K, Apple Watch Series 3, and more, all taking place at the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park. MacRumors will follow all of the stories and news coming out of the event today with a live blog, articles, video recap, and more. Follow our @MacRumorsLive Twitter account ahead of time to see live tweets as Apple breaks news during the event.

Apple's online store has gone down ahead of its first-ever event at Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California later today.

Apple will provide a live stream of the event on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV starting at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

Related: Here's When You Can Watch Apple's First Event at Steve Jobs Theater in Time Zones Around the World

At the event, Apple is widely expected to announce the "iPhone X" with an OLED display, wireless charging, and facial recognition. It is rumored the company will also unveil a new Apple TV with support for 4K video playback, and new Apple Watch Series 3 models, including some with LTE connectivity.

Related: What to Expect at Apple's September 2017 Event

MacRumors will provide full coverage of the event throughout the day, with a live blog, news stories, video recap, and more. Mac users can get headlines right on their desktops by enabling Safari push notifications. We'll also be live-tweeting the event through @MacRumorsLive on Twitter.

MacRumors readers can follow along in our forums, which are a great place to discuss the announcements before, during, and after the event. Be sure to keep tabs on the iPhone, Apple TV, and Apple Watch sections in particular.

If you will be unable to watch Apple's event today, consider bookmarking our spoiler-free article, which will be updated with nothing other than a direct link to the presentation once it becomes available from Apple.