Top Stories: macOS Sonoma Released, iOS 17.1 Beta, and iPhone 16 Rumors

Mac fans, rejoice! You can now enjoy the upgrades that come with macOS Sonoma, which was released to the public this week just a bit later than the major updates for the rest of Apple's platforms.

top stories 30sep2023
Apple isn't stopping there, of course, and it's already begun seeding iOS 17.1, macOS Sonoma 14.1, and other upcoming updates to developers and public beta testers. This week also saw some fresh rumors about the iPhone 16 (yes, already!), while discussion continues over thermal issues with the iPhone 15 Pro and Apple's controversial FineWoven accessories, so read on for all the details on these stories and more!

Apple Releases macOS Sonoma With Desktop Widgets, Game Mode, and More

macOS Sonoma was released to the public this week following over three months of beta testing. The free software update includes many new features and changes for the Mac, including interactive desktop widgets, a Game Mode, the ability to add websites to the Dock as web apps, several Safari improvements, and more.

macos sonoma 4
We've shared a list of macOS Sonoma features worth checking out, and additional details about the software update can be found in our in-depth macOS Sonoma roundup.

Everything New in iOS 17.1 Beta 1

Less than two weeks after Apple released iOS 17, the first beta of iOS 17.1 is already available. As usual, there are a handful of new features and changes coming to the iPhone with this software update for Apple Music, AirDrop, and more.

iOS 17
We've put together a list of everything new in the first beta of iOS 17.1 with more details. The beta is now available for both developers and public beta testers.

iPhone 16 to Include an Additional Capacitive 'Capture' Button

Apple plans to add a new capacitive button to iPhone 16 models that is internally known as the "Capture Button," according to MacRumors sources.

iPhone 16 Side Feature
It's unclear what this button will be used for, but given that it is expected to be positioned below the power button on the right side of the iPhone, it could be a more conveniently placed shutter button for the camera when shooting in landscape orientation.

22 New Features You May Have Missed in watchOS 10

watchOS 10 is now available for the Apple Watch Series 4 and newer, and the software update includes several new features and changes.

22 Hidden Features in watchOS 10 Feature
This week, we shared a list of 22 watchOS features and changes that you might not know about. If you are looking for some new tips and tricks on how to use your Apple Watch to its fullest, be sure to check out the list for some helpful recommendations.

iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Concerns Highlighted in Two More Reports

iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max overheating concerns continue to make headlines this week, with the topic highlighted by The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg.

iPhone 15 Pro lineup
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the titanium frame on iPhone 15 Pro models negatively impacts thermal efficiency. Kuo believes that Apple will likely address the issue through future software updates, but he said improvements might be limited.

Apple's FineWoven Cases for iPhone 15 Continue to Be Heavily Criticized

Apple's new FineWoven cases for iPhone 15 models have been heavily criticized since they were released earlier this month, with some customers and media outlets complaining about the fabric exterior being prone to scratches and stains.

iPhone 15 Pro FineWoven
We recapped some of the negative feedback last week, and the complaints have continued to surface. Apple has not commented on the matter so far.

MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
Awe Dropping Apple Event Feature

Five Things to Expect From Apple's 'Awe Dropping' September 9 Event

Tuesday August 26, 2025 4:17 pm PDT by
Apple today announced its "Awe Dropping" iPhone-centric event, which is set to take place on Tuesday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. There are a long list of products that are coming, but we thought we'd pull out five feature highlights to look forward to. That Super Thin iPhone - Apple's September 9 event will see the unveiling of the first redesigned iPhone we've had in years, ...
Awe Dropping Apple Event Feature

Apple Event Logo Hints at Two iPhone 17 Pro Features

Wednesday August 27, 2025 6:36 am PDT by
Apple's logo for its upcoming September 9 event hints at two rumored iPhone 17 Pro features, including new color options and a vapor chamber cooling system. Of course, this is all just speculation for fun, as we count down the final days until the event. New Colors Last month, Macworld's Filipe Espósito reported that orange and dark blue would be two out of the five color options...
Alleged iPhone 17 Pro Antenna Design

Two All-New iPhone 17 Colors Seemingly Confirmed

Monday August 25, 2025 4:22 am PDT by
Apple will offer the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max in a new orange color, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman made the claim in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, adding that the new iPhone 17 Air – replacing the iPhone 16 Plus – will come in a new light blue color. We've heard multiple rumors about a new iPhone 17 Pro color being a shade of orange. The ...
crossbody strap

iPhone 17's 'Crossbody Strap' Accessory to Feature Magnetic Design

Thursday August 28, 2025 7:49 am PDT by
Apple's cases for the iPhone 17 lineup will be accompanied by a new Crossbody Strap accessory with a unique magnetic design, according to the leaker known as "Majin Bu." Apple's Crossbody Strap reportedly features an unusual magnetic design; it likely has a "flexible metal core" that makes it magnetic along its entire length. At the ends, "rings polarized oppositely to the strap close the...
airpods pro 2 gradient

AirPods Pro 3: Four Key Design Changes Anticipated

Tuesday August 26, 2025 4:05 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022 other than a shift from Lightning to USB-C, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple will launch AirPods Pro 3 later this year, and apart from new features like heart rate monitoring, we're also expecting a few design changes. The fourth‑generation AirPods offer useful clues to Apple's design cues for ...

Top Rated Comments

AAPLGeek Avatar
25 months ago
Not ready to give up on Ventura just yet...



Attachment Image
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hagjohn Avatar
25 months ago

I want Mac OS “Snow” Sonoma.

A milestone update.

No new features.

Just code optimization/simplification (Woz style), faster performance, smoother performance, squash any lingering compatibility issues with existing ISV apps, and bug fixes.

(Where’s Bertrand Serlet when you need him?)
I think we got a lot of those improvements in Sonoma. It is much smoother and faster performance on my system.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
YKApple Avatar
25 months ago
A recap in case you need it:

Basically, iPhone 16 may have one new feature, FineWoven is garbage, the iPhone 15 Pro makes it hot garbage, and watchOS 10 rocks. You’re welcome.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
R2DHue Avatar
25 months ago

('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/09/30/top-stories-macos-sonoma-released/')

Mac fans, rejoice! You can now enjoy the upgrades that come with macOS Sonoma, which was released to the public this week just a bit later than the major updates for the rest of Apple's platforms.



Apple isn't stopping there, of course, and it's already begun seeding iOS 17.1, macOS Sonoma 14.1, and other upcoming updates to developers and public beta testers. This week also saw some fresh rumors about the iPhone 16 (yes, already!), while discussion continues over thermal issues with the iPhone 15 Pro and Apple's controversial FineWoven accessories, so read on for all the details on these stories and more!

Apple Releases macOS Sonoma With Desktop Widgets, Game Mode, and More

macOS Sonoma was released to the public this week ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/09/26/apple-releases-macos-sonoma/') following over three months of beta testing. The free software update includes many new features and changes for the Mac, including interactive desktop widgets, a Game Mode, the ability to add websites to the Dock as web apps, several Safari improvements, and more.



We've shared a list of macOS Sonoma features worth checking out ('https://www.macrumors.com/guide/macos-sonoma-features/'), and additional details about the software update can be found in our in-depth macOS Sonoma roundup ('https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/macos-sonoma/').

Everything New in iOS 17.1 Beta 1

Less than two weeks after Apple released iOS 17, the first beta of iOS 17.1 ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/09/28/apple-seeds-ios-17-1-public-beta-1/') is already available. As usual, there are a handful of new features and changes coming to the iPhone with this software update for Apple Music, AirDrop, and more.



We've put together a list of everything new in the first beta of iOS 17.1 ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/09/27/ios-17-1-beta-1-features/') with more details. The beta is now available for both developers and public beta testers.

iPhone 16 to Include an Additional Capacitive 'Capture' Button

Apple plans to add a new capacitive button to iPhone 16 models ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/09/25/iphone-16-capture-button/') that is internally known as the "Capture Button," according to MacRumors sources.



It's unclear what this button will be used for, but given that it is expected to be positioned below the power button on the right side of the iPhone, it could be a more conveniently placed shutter button for the camera when shooting in landscape orientation.

22 New Features You May Have Missed in watchOS 10

watchOS 10 is now available for the Apple Watch Series 4 and newer, and the software update includes several new features and changes.



This week, we shared a list of 22 watchOS features and changes that you might not know about ('https://www.macrumors.com/guide/22-hidden-features-watchos-10-apple-watch/'). If you are looking for some new tips and tricks on how to use your Apple Watch to its fullest, be sure to check out the list for some helpful recommendations.

iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Concerns Highlighted in Two More Reports

iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max overheating concerns ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/09/28/iphone-15-pro-overheating-reports/') continue to make headlines this week, with the topic highlighted by The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg.



Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the titanium frame on iPhone 15 Pro models negatively impacts thermal efficiency ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/09/26/iphone-15-pro-overheating/'). Kuo believes that Apple will likely address the issue through future software updates, but he said improvements might be limited.

Apple's FineWoven Cases for iPhone 15 Continue to Be Heavily Criticized

Apple's new FineWoven cases for iPhone 15 models have been heavily criticized ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/09/25/finewoven-iphone-case-continued-criticism/') since they were released earlier this month, with some customers and media outlets complaining about the fabric exterior being prone to scratches and stains.



We recapped some of the negative feedback ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/09/21/apples-finewoven-iphone-cases-poor-reviews/') last week, and the complaints have continued to surface. Apple has not commented on the matter so far.

MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

So if you want to have top stories ('https://mailchi.mp/macrumors/sep-28-2023') like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter ('http://eepurl.com/OHdUX')!

Article Link: Top Stories: macOS Sonoma Released, iOS 17.1 Beta, and iPhone 16 Rumors ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/09/30/top-stories-macos-sonoma-released/')

Oh, man!

We’re already speculating about an iPhone 16 that will be announced in September 2024⁉️

The same thing happened last year; the day after the iPhone 14 was announced, speculation ran rampant about the iPhone 15.

Slow down and take a little time to stop and smell the roses…
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
R2DHue Avatar
25 months ago

Not ready to give up on Ventura just yet...



I want Mac OS “Snow” Sonoma.

A milestone update.

No new features.

Just code optimization/simplification (Woz style), faster performance, smoother performance, squash any lingering compatibility issues with existing ISV apps, and bug fixes.

(Where’s Bertrand Serlet when you need him?)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JamesHolden Avatar
25 months ago

(Where’s Bertrand Serlet when you need him?)
I'm pretty sure all of the folks who made NeXTSTEP, er, macOS X, great have long since left the building. And it shows.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)