Top Stories: Apple Car Canceled, iOS 17.4 Release Notes, and More

Apple shocked the world this week by canceling its long-running electric vehicle project into which it invested billions of dollars over the past decade. Rumors indicated the project had been struggling for years, but to see it officially end up on the chopping block is still quite startling.

top stories 2mar2024
Other news and rumors this week included the pending release of iOS 17.4 and the significant changes for EU users that come along with it, rumors about device support for iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 later this year, and more, so read on below for all the details!

Apple Cancels Electric Car Project

Apple this week reportedly canceled its long-rumored electric vehicle project after years of setbacks. The report said that some employees on the team will shift to working on generative AI, which is expected to be a tentpole feature of iOS 18, while others may be laid off.

Apple car wheel icon feature teal
Following the news, we shared a detailed recap of the Apple Car's history dating back to the project's inception around 2014, including some of the challenges faced. Dan and Hartley also discussed the developments in this week's episode of The MacRumors Show.

iOS 17.4 is Coming Soon: Here's Apple's Full Release Notes

iOS 17.4 includes several changes to the App Store, Safari, and more in the EU, as a result of new regulations under the Digital Markets Act.

iOS 17
For a complete list of other new features and changes coming to the iPhone with iOS 17.4, read Apple's full release notes for the update.

Apple is expected to release iOS 17.4 on or before March 6, the deadline for complying with the Digital Markets Act. In advance of the release, Apple has published a deep dive into the steps it has taken to try to keep users safe among the changes, while Spotify, Epic Games, and others have protested that the changes do not comply with the intent of the act.

iOS 18 Rumored to Be Compatible With These iPhone Models

A private X/Twitter account with a proven track record for iOS-related information this week shared alleged iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 compatibility details.

iOS 18 Roundup Article
We have shared a full list of iPhone models that are rumored to support iOS 18, as well as a full list of iPad models that are rumored to support iPadOS 18. Both software updates are expected to be unveiled at Apple's annual developers conference WWDC in June.

Apple Expands Do-It-Yourself Repair Program to M3 Macs

Apple this week expanded its self-service repair program in the U.S. and Europe to support M3 Macs, including the 14-inch MacBook Pro, 16-inch MacBook Pro, and iMac variously equipped with M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips.

apple self service macbook 1600
Parts, tools, and manuals are now available from Apple for customers who wish to attempt repairing these Macs, but Apple of course still recommends that most customers visit an Apple Store or other authorized repair shop.

HomePod With 'iPad-Like Display' Rumored to Launch in 2025 at Earliest

Apple is still working on a new HomePod speaker with an "iPad-like display," but the device is unlikely to launch until 2025 at the earliest, according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

HomePod G4 FeatureConcept rendering

Gurman reiterated that Apple has also explored a device that combines an Apple TV, HomePod, and FaceTime camera, along with iPad-like smart displays that could be magnetically attached to a wall in a house.

Not-So-FineWoven iPhone Case 'Browning Like a Rotten Banana'

Apple last year stopped selling leather accessories, including iPhone cases. Instead, it introduced a new fabric material called FineWoven.

finewoven case stern
Unfortunately for Apple, the FineWoven cases for iPhones have received lots of criticism, with many customers complaining about quality issues after extended usage. The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern said her case is "browning like a rotten banana" after just five months.

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!

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Top Rated Comments

klasma Avatar
18 months ago

So with the cancellation of "Titan" and with Vpro already launched, is there any other "biggie", "next big thing" creation rumored in the incubator? Because surely a company the size of Apple has other brand new- not iterative- things in development. I hang around here enough, yet find myself drawing a blank of something else that has been regularly rumored and seems like it could be BIG.

Else, with Titan terminated and Vpro already launched, do we perceive the "next big thing" cupboard seems bare?

I suppose someone will sling Apple AI but that's not a product but software running atop existing products. We won't be buying AI, we'll be buying the new iDevice or Mac with new AI software features. What's the next big product (not iterative)?
I would welcome a state of affairs where there’s no “next big thing”. If the current “things” don’t satisfy, the next thing won’t either. Besides, there’s still much room for improvements on the software side of things.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Yujenisis Avatar
18 months ago



Concept rendering

Gurman reiterated that Apple has also explored a device that combines an Apple TV, HomePod, and FaceTime camera ('https://www.macrumors.com/2022/04/18/apple-work-on-apple-tv-homepod-continues/'), along with iPad-like smart displays that could be magnetically attached to a wall in a house.
The iMac G4 ('https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMac_G4') is my favorite of all of Apple’s designs and its beauty and functionality have yet to be beaten by today’s flat screen iMacs. Adjusting the iMac G4’s screen was an effortless joy and screamed the kind of perfected unity of design and functionality that makes people compare Jobs/Ives to the greatest designers of the 20th Century.

While only an artist’s concept, and arguably an uninspired one, I really hope Apple brings back this design for a HomePod or really any other product for that matter.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HobeSoundDarryl Avatar
18 months ago
So with the cancellation of "Titan" and with Vpro already launched, is there any other "biggie", "next big thing" creation rumored in the incubator? Because surely a company the size of Apple has other brand new- not iterative- things in development. I hang around here enough, yet find myself drawing a blank of something else that has been regularly rumored and seems like it could be BIG.

Else, with Titan terminated and Vpro already launched, do we perceive the "next big thing" cupboard seems bare?

I suppose someone will sling Apple AI but that's not a product but software running atop existing products. We won't be buying AI, we'll be buying the new iDevice or Mac with new AI software features. What's the next big product (not iterative)?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fuzzball84 Avatar
18 months ago

I would welcome a state of affairs where there’s no “next big thing”. If the current “things” don’t satisfy, the next thing won’t either. Besides, there’s still much room for improvements on the software side of things.
I really really hope that they just focus on fewer devices and make them the best devices they can be... I feel they are spread too far out on hardware and haven't focused on quality with regards to the software.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
scrapesleon Avatar
18 months ago
when they released fine woven they were saying it was better than leather look how the tables turn
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Le Big Mac Avatar
18 months ago

The iMac G4 ('https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMac_G4') is my favorite of all of Apple’s designs and its beauty and functionality have yet to be beaten by today’s flat screen iMacs. Adjusting the iMac G4’s screen was an effortless joy and screamed the kind of perfected unity of design and functionality that makes people compare Jobs/Ives to the greatest designers of the 20th Century.

While only an artist’s concept, and arguably an uninspired one, I really hope Apple brings back this design for a HomePod or really any other product for that matter.
Agree.

Though trying to imagine how powerful a magnet you'd have to install in your wall to hold that up.

(A bracket held in with drywall anchors/screws would be much more effective.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)