Apple today seeded the third public beta of an upcoming macOS Sonoma 14.2 update, allowing non-developers to test out the software ahead of its release. The third public beta comes two weeks after the second public beta.
Beta testers can opt-in through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. Under Beta updates, simply toggle on the Sonoma Public Beta. Note that you must sign up to participate on Apple's beta testing website.
macOS Sonoma 14.2 adds Messages sticker reactions, which make it quicker to add a sticker or an emoji to an iMessage. It also includes support for collaborative Apple Music playlists, allowing multiple people to add songs to a single playlist.
There's a new Favorites Apple Music playlist as well, better support for Messages in iCloud syncing, and iMessage Contact Key Verification for people who face extraordinary digital threats.
Saturday February 8, 2025 3:51 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
The end of an 18-year era is on the horizon for the iPhone.
Apple reportedly plans to announce a new iPhone SE as soon as next week, and the device is expected to feature a full-screen design with Face ID, instead of a Touch ID home button. That means Apple will no longer sell any new iPhone models with a home button, for the first time since the original iPhone launched.
The home button...
Thursday February 6, 2025 11:21 am PST by Joe Rossignol
If you pay for iCloud storage on your iPhone, Apple has a new perk for you, at no additional cost.
iCloud+ is the official name for Apple's paid iCloud storage plans, which range from 50GB for $0.99 per month to 12TB for $59.99 per month in the United States. iCloud+ plans already come with multiple perks for free, such as Hide My Email and HomeKit Secure Video, and now there is another one...
Saturday February 8, 2025 10:55 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple has yet to release any new devices in 2025, but at least two new products are expected to be announced next week, according to rumors.
Below, we outline the new Apple products that are likely to be unveiled next week.
iPhone SE 4
Apple plans to announce the long-rumored iPhone SE 4 as soon as next week, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
The new iPhone SE is rumored to...
Wednesday February 5, 2025 7:15 am PST by Joe Rossignol
iOS 18.3 was released last month, so the first iOS 18.4 beta should be coming soon. iOS 18.4 is expected to be a more substantial update for the iPhone, with several new features and changes related to Apple Intelligence and beyond.
Apple's website suggests that iOS 18.4 will be released in April, following beta testing. Below, we outline what to expect from the update so far.
Apple...
Monday February 10, 2025 3:05 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Oppo has confirmed a February 20 global launch for its Find N5, which the company claims is the world's thinnest device in the foldable phone category. The phone is expected to be re-branded as the OnePlus Open 2 in the US.
The Chinese vendor has been teasing the device in the last few weeks, touting its waterproofing and nearly invisible display crease, and highlighting its thinness by compa...
Sunday February 9, 2025 3:53 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today increased its estimated trade-in values for select Mac models in the United States, with the full changes outlined below.
Apple says the extra trade-in credit for select Macs is available with the purchase of an eligible new Apple device through April 2.
The trade-in values increased by between $10 and $50.
Model
New Value
Old Value
MacBook Pro
Up to $925
...
Thursday February 6, 2025 3:30 pm PST by Juli Clover
Apple's next-generation iPhone SE could debut as soon as next week with a launch to follow later in February, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple isn't expected to hold an event for the iPhone SE 4, and will instead unveil the device through a press release.
The iPhone SE 4 is expected to have an iPhone 14-style design, with Apple eliminating the thick bezels and Touch ID Home button of...
Friday February 7, 2025 2:42 pm PST by Juli Clover
Apple's next-generation low-cost iPhone is almost here, with rumors suggesting we're going to see it introduced as soon as next Tuesday. With a release happening in the very near future, we thought we'd highlight everything we know about Apple's newest iPhone.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
Design
The iPhone SE 4 will look like the iPhone 14, featuring a 6.1-inch ...
Beta testers can opt in... I wish the regular users could opt out.. the state of Apple software quality in recent times.
I know some of these features certain people will like.. but for the most part, for most people.. they just want a solid stable OS that runs well and is dependable. Despite starting really well on Sonoma, Ive had my Mac mini (intel) wobble a few times lately.
Beta testers can opt in... I wish the regular users could opt out.. the state of Apple software quality in recent times.
I know some of these features certain people will like.. but for the most part, for most people.. they just want a solid stable OS that runs well and is dependable. Despite starting really well on Sonoma, Ive had my Mac mini (intel) wobble a few times lately.
If are using an INTEL Mac you shouldn't update to the last OS until x.5 or x.6 If you do this you will always have a very stable OS. I am running the latest version of Ventura and is great.
macOS 14.1.1 has been rock solid on my Studio Max M1. Only one minor glitch solved by 14.1.1.
Yeah, I was tempted to wait.. but went for it as compared to my MacBook Air M2, it doesnt run on battery and I have light usage.. so any issue would likely be a non issue.. Having said that, Im sure it's fine on my M2... but Im waiting just a little longer. Ventura is solid at this point. Likewise for iOS 16
The Apple Discussion forums would dispute the solidity of both Ventura and iOS 16. The problem is what’s good for the goose may not be good for the gander. All you hear about on social media is the stuff that goes wrong. And often the cause is user error, misconfigurations, misbehaving third party software, and not actual bugs. Sure there are multiple bugs but very few actual showstoppers.