Top Stories: One Month to WWDC, iOS 17 Rumor Recap, New AirPods Firmware, and More

Here come the courage...

....

While Apple is often portrayed as being “behind on AI” because it doesn’t have its own Siri chatbot in beta, the truth is that the company has been using machine-learning-based technology in all sorts of corners of its platform, from sensor analysis on the Apple Watch to face- and object-detection in the Photos app. As for other stuff–I’m looking at you, Siri–it’s hard to tell if Apple’s lost the plot or is just keeping everything secret until the moment it springs a new AI-driven Siri 2.0 on us all. But “weaving it in our products” is not a bad way to describe what Apple has done, thus far, with AI.

But that does not explain how terribly bad basic function like file system search are. Heck `grep` beats Spotlight every single time, except for speed and speed means nothing if the correct results are not found. Finder search rarely finds files I know are on my system. If Apple can not get such basic functions working correctly, then something complicated like AI does not have a chance.

Apple Expected to Announce 15-Inch MacBook Air at WWDC

Maybe we'll get an updated Mac Studio with M2 Max/Ultra chip too. Costco's having a sale on the current M1 Max and Ultra versions. Getting a head start on clearing out inventory?

https://www.costco.com/mac-studio---apple-m1-max-chip---512gb--(2022).product.100948103.html




https://www.costco.com/mac-studio---apple-m1-ultra-chip---1tb--(2022).product.100948078.html

The calendar has flipped to May, which means WWDC is right around the corner. There continues to be lots to talk about as far as rumors and expectations on both the software and hardware sides, so buckle up!



This week also saw a few somewhat unusual software updates from Apple, including the first-ever public Rapid Security Response updates, as well as an acknowledgment that recent firmware updates for various AirPods and Beats models address a security issue that could allow hackers access to your earphones. That's not all though, so read on for all the details on these stories and more!

One Month Until WWDC 2023: Here's What's Coming

WWDC 2023 is now just under a month away, and rumors are heating up. We've been hearing details about what we expect to see with iOS 17, watchOS 10, Apple's long-rumored headset, and more, so we've put together an overview ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/05/one-month-until-wwdc-2023-heres-whats-coming/') to sum it all up as we enter the homestretch.



We've also recapped in more detail what we're expecting in iOS 17 ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/03/ios-17-rumor-recap/'). The first iOS 17 beta should be made available to members of Apple's Developer Program moments after the keynote, while a public beta will likely be available in July for members of Apple's Beta Software Program. As usual, the update should be widely released in September.

Widgets Said to Be 'Central Part' of watchOS 10's Interface

Widgets will be a "central part" of watchOS 10 for the Apple Watch ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/04/30/gurman-widgets-to-be-central-part-watchos-10/'), according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his newsletter, he said users will be able to scroll through widgets for activity tracking, weather, stocks, calendar appointments, and more.



Gurman previously said watchOS 10 will be the biggest software update for the Apple Watch ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/04/16/watchos-10-major-update-gurman/') since the device first launched in 2015, with several "bigger enhancements."

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods

Apple this week released a new firmware version ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/02/airpods-firmware-update-5e135/') for the second-generation and third-generation AirPods, the original AirPods Pro, the second-generation AirPods Pro, and the AirPods Max.



Apple also released new firmware for the Beats Fit Pro and Powerbeats Pro ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/02/beats-fit-pro-powerbeats-pro-firmware-update/'). In a support document, Apple said the new firmware addresses a security vulnerability ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/03/beats-firmware-security-issue/') that could allow an attacker to gain access to the headphones.

Apple Releases Rapid Security Updates for iPhone and Mac

Apple released its first-ever public Rapid Security Response software updates ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/01/rapid-security-response-16-4-1/') this week for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users running iOS 16.4.1, iPadOS 16.4.1, and macOS 13.3.1.



Rapid Security Responses are optional updates that provide important security fixes between normal iOS updates, allowing Apple to patch zero-day vulnerabilities and other critical flaws more quickly.

Apple Expected to Announce 15-Inch MacBook Air at WWDC

Apple plans to announce the 15-inch MacBook Air during its WWDC keynote ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/01/gurman-15-inch-macbook-air-wwdc/') on June 5, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.



Apple's supply chain has already started stockpiling the 15-inch MacBook Air ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/04/15-inch-macbook-air-stockpiled/') ahead of its launch, according to industry sources cited by DigiTimes. The laptop is expected to be available with the M2 chip ('https://www.macrumors.com/2022/06/15/kuo-15-inch-m2-macbook-2023-rumor/'), and no design changes have been rumored beyond the larger display size.

Apple Increases Trade-In Values for Select iPhones, iPads, and More

Apple this week increased trade-in values for select iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/04/apple-increases-trade-in-values-iphone-ipad/') in the U.S., with a list of prices provided in our story.



Article Link: Top Stories: One Month to WWDC, iOS 17 Rumor Recap, New AirPods Firmware, and More ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/06/top-stories-one-month-to-wwdc-2023/')

WWDC is no longer what it used to be. I would wait with anticipation to hear and see what Steve Jobs would announce. Lately in my opinion, things are lackluster. Steve did leave Apple with the best successor to drive the company forward. Yet the magic seems to have dissipated. Despite all the glorious videos on the Apple campus to wow us with updates that are revolutionary I somehow feel the magic is gone. Probably because I’m an old geezer. Oh well.😌

I've already set myself up for a disappointment with my expectations (I am expecting Mac Pro / new pro display news, how silly of me to expect this at WWDC)

I think for Mac Pro and New Pro Display. We’re going to have to wait till October/November in Apple Fall Event after the new iPhones are announced in September.

Better to obtain a MacBook Air 15” next month tho :)

I want to see a major overhaul to the iWork suite, with deep AI integration to increase productivity. I tried Office 360 co-pilot, and it was a revelation. If Apple continues to fall behind on the AI front, then I fear for its future.

Apple doesn’t market AI in the same context as Meta, MS, and Google, each with specific goals from another.

https://www.macworld.com/article/1809623/apple-second-quarter-2023-earnings-iphone-services-siri.html

While Apple is often portrayed as being “behind on AI” because it doesn’t have its own Siri chatbot in beta, the truth is that the company has been using machine-learning-based technology in all sorts of corners of its platform, from sensor analysis on the Apple Watch to face- and object-detection in the Photos app. As for other stuff–I’m looking at you, Siri–it’s hard to tell if Apple’s lost the plot or is just keeping everything secret until the moment it springs a new AI-driven Siri 2.0 on us all. But “weaving it in our products” is not a bad way to describe what Apple has done, thus far, with AI.