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!

Top Rated Comments

AAPLGeek Avatar
9 weeks ago
Not ready to give up on Ventura just yet...



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

Popular Stories

iOS 17

iOS 17.2 Will Add These 12 New Features to Your iPhone

Friday December 1, 2023 12:19 pm PST by
iOS 17.2 has been in beta testing for over a month, and it should be released to all users in a few more weeks. The software update includes many new features and changes for iPhones, including the dozen that we have highlighted below. iOS 17.2 is expected to be released to the public in mid-December. To learn about even more features coming in the update, check out our full list. Journal ...
iOS 17

28 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in December's iOS 17.2 Update

Friday December 1, 2023 2:57 am PST by
Apple made the first beta of iOS 17.2 available to developers in October. Since then we've seen three more betas, and with each iteration Apple continues to add more new features and changes, many of which users have been anticipating for quite a while. Below, we've listed 28 new things that are coming to your iPhone when the finalized version is publicly released this December. 1. Help...
anker new xmas 1

Anker's Cyber Week Sale Enters Final Days With Up to 60% Off Sitewide

Friday December 1, 2023 12:05 pm PST by
Anker's Black Friday/Cyber Week event is entering its final days this weekend, and it's still offering up to 60 percent off sitewide. There are also a few "mystery boxes" that can include hundreds of dollars in savings, if you're willing to risk not knowing what you're buying ahead of time. All of these sales will end on December 3. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Anker. When you...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.1.2 With Security Fixes

Thursday November 30, 2023 10:12 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2, small updates to the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 operating systems that Apple introduced in September. iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2 come a few weeks after the release of iOS 17.1.1, another bug fix update. iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update....
iPhone 16 Mock Header Updated 1

iPhone 16 to Include Action Button Across Entire Lineup

Thursday November 30, 2023 4:08 pm PST by
The release of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max saw the introduction of an entirely new user-configurable button known as the Action button, and now, MacRumors has seen extensive evidence confirming Apple is planning to include the Action button on the entire iPhone 16 range. Designs and plans for the Action button date back to at least 2021, as the button was intended for release alongside hapt...
General Apps Messages

Green Bubbles on iPhone to Gain These 7 New Features Next Year

Thursday November 30, 2023 9:00 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple announced that it will finally support RCS in the Messages app on the iPhone starting later next year. This change will result in several improvements to the messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices. RCS will become the new default standard for messaging between iPhones and Android devices, but these conversations will still have green bubbles like...
top stories 2dec2023

Top Stories: iOS 17.1.2 Released, NameDrop Misinformation, and More

Saturday December 2, 2023 6:00 am PST by
Apple employees are back to work following a Thanksgiving break, and that means this week saw a number of new operating system updates for both public release and beta testing. This week also saw some misinformation about Apple's new NameDrop feature making the rounds, while Apple and Goldman Sachs appear to be on the verge of a break-up in their Apple Card and savings account partnership,...
paramount plus logo

Apple and Paramount Considering Discounted TV+ Streaming Bundle

Friday December 1, 2023 4:40 am PST by
Apple and Paramount have discussed bundling their TV streaming services at a discount, according to a new report by The Wall Street Journal. The companies have talked about offering a combination of Paramount+ and Apple TV+ that would cost less than subscribing to both services separately, according to people familiar with the discussions. The discussions are in their early stages, and it is ...