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

Apple Shopping Event 2025

Apple Announces 2025 Black Friday Event, Here's What You Can Get

Thursday November 20, 2025 6:28 am PST by
Apple's annual four-day Black Friday through Cyber Monday shopping event is returning on Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1 in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, and others. During the shopping event, customers can get an Apple gift card with...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These New Features to Your iPhone

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:50 am PST by
iOS 26.2 is currently in beta testing. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics for Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date. Keep reading...
hikawa phone grip stand apple%402x

Apple Launches Second Limited-Edition iPhone Accessory in a Month

Friday November 21, 2025 3:53 am PST by
Apple has begun selling the Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand, a new limited-edition iPhone accessory designed with accessibility in mind. Designed by LA-based Bailey Hikawa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of accessibility at Apple, the grip uses magnets to securely snap onto any iPhone with MagSafe. Apple says it can be removed with ease, and doubles as a stand with two different viewing...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Wednesday November 19, 2025 4:00 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
ipad black friday 2025

The Best Early Black Friday iPad Deals

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:20 am PST by
Black Friday is just over a week away, and iPad deals have finally started to flood in at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. Below we're tracking discounts on every current generation iPad, including lowest-ever prices on M3 iPad Air and M5 iPad Pro, plus steep markdowns on iPad and iPad mini. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a ...
ipad mini 7 feature red and blue

iPad Mini 8: Four Major New Features to Expect

Wednesday November 19, 2025 7:50 am PST by
Apple's eighth-generation iPad mini is highly likely to arrive next year, offering a significant refresh of the device with at least four major new features. OLED Display The next-generation version of the iPad mini could feature an OLED display, as part of Apple's plan to expand the display technology across many more of its devices. Apple's first OLED device was the Apple Watch in 2015, ...
watchos 26 workout app

Apple Watch Users Claim Workout App Is Now Worse in Every Way

Thursday November 20, 2025 7:01 am PST by
Apple Watch owners have been voicing their frustration online over changes to the Workout app that Apple introduced in watchOS 26, with many finding the redesigned interface makes starting exercises difficult and exasperating. When Apple launched watchOS 26 in September, the Workout app went from large, easily tapped workout tiles to a scrolling, corner-button interface. Instead of tapping a ...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Two More U.S. States Commit to Offering iPhone Driver's Licenses in Apple Wallet App

Thursday November 20, 2025 8:21 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Earlier this week, Illinois became the 13th state in the U.S. to offer the feature. Subsequently, we shared a list of additional states that are committed...
android iphone airdrop quickshare

iPhone Users Can Now AirDrop Files to Android Devices

Thursday November 20, 2025 9:47 am PST by
Google today announced a new cross-platform feature that allows for file sharing between iPhone and Android users. With AirDrop on the iPhone and QuickShare on Pixel 10 devices, there is a new file transfer function available. The file sharing option works on Apple devices that include iPhone, iPad, and Mac, along with the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Fold....

Top Rated Comments

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



Attachment Image
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hagjohn Avatar
28 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
28 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
28 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
28 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
28 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)