Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming visionOS 2.1 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new software coming a week after Apple seeded the third visionOS 2.1 beta.
Registered developers are able to opt into the betas by opening up the Settings app on their device, going to the Software Update Section, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option, and toggling on the Developer Beta. Note that an Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.
There's no word yet on what's included in visionOS 2.1, but there are visionOS 2 features that Apple has not yet released, such as the option to use a larger ultrawide screen for the Mac Virtual Display and support for Multiview for MLS and MLB games.
Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming watchOS 11.1 update to developers for testing purposes. The fourth beta comes a week after Apple released the third watchOS 11.1 beta.
To install the watchOS 11.1 update, developers need to open the Apple Watch app, go to the Software Update section under "General" in Settings, and toggle on the watchOS 11 Developer Beta. An Apple ID linked to a developer account is required.
Once beta updates have been activated, watchOS 11.1 can be downloaded under the same Software Update section. To install software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life and it must be placed on an Apple Watch charger.
It's not yet clear what new features are included in the watchOS 11.1 update at this time, as the update primarily focuses on Apple Intelligence, and Apple Intelligence features are not available on watchOS.
Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming tvOS 18.1 beta to developers for testing purposes, with the new software coming a week after Apple seeded the third tvOS 18.1 beta.
Registered developers are able to download the tvOS 18.1 update by opting in to the beta through the Settings app on the Apple TV. A registered developer account is required.
tvOS software releases are usually minor in scale compared to other operating system updates, focusing primarily on smaller improvements rather than outward-facing changes. We don't know what's included in tvOS 18.1.
Apple shares some information on tvOS releases in its tvOS support document, which is updated after each tvOS launch, but Apple does not provide notes during beta testing.
Though we don't always know what's new in tvOS betas, we let MacRumors readers know when new updates are available so those who are developers can download new software upon release.
Apple today shared a trailer for Submerged, its first scripted film designed for the Apple Immersive Video experience on the Vision Pro headset.
Announced back in July, Submerged is a short film that's set in World War II, and it follows a group of sailors that are struggling to survive a deadly torpedo attack. It was created by Austrian filmmaker Edward Berger, who directed 2022 movie All Quiet on the Western Front.
Apple has not provided details on the length of Submerged, but most Apple Immersive Video content is on the shorter side. Apple has been regularly adding Immersive Video to the Vision Pro since the device came out last February. The immersive content is in 3D, and is meant to make the viewer feel like they are part of the scene.
Apple Immersive Video content can be viewed in the Apple TV app in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, the U.K., and the U.S. Users in China can watch the content through the Migu Video and Tencent Video apps.
Submerged is set to premiere on the Vision Pro on Thursday, October 10.
Ahead of the holiday season, Apple is sharing iPhone 16 ads highlighting the new functionality in an effort to entice customers to upgrade to the latest models. Today's ad focuses on the 4K 120 frames per second Dolby Vision video recording feature that is exclusive to the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
The minute-long ad shows several slow motion shots, including a wind storm, an astronaut floating in space, an arrow flying through the air, a car crash, and more. The spot ends with the tagline "Hollywood in your pocket."
An option to capture cinematic slow motion video at 4K 120fps is one of the major new features that sets the iPhone 16 Pro models apart from the standard iPhone 16 models. When recording video using the new 120fps mode, there is an option in the Photos app to change the frame rate later, so you can select from 60, 48, 30, or 24 fps in post processing.
Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so it is now three and a half years old. While the AirTag has not received any hardware updates since then, a new version of the item tracking accessory is in development, according to a recent report.
Below, we recap rumors about a second-generation AirTag.
Timing
A new AirTag is one of many new products that Apple aims to announce in the first half of 2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
I expect Apple to kick off 2025 with several other new devices in the first half of the year:
- 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models with M4 (J613 and J615). - Revamped iPhone SE (V59). - Refreshed 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air models (J607 and J637). - New Magic Keyboards for the updated iPad Air line (R307 and R308). - An upgraded AirTag item finder accessory (B589).
He did not provide any specific details about the new AirTag in the newsletter.
In October 2023, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said mass production of the second-generation AirTag had been postponed from the fourth quarter of 2024 until some point in 2025, but he did not provide a reason for the apparent change in plans. Kuo and Gurman are thus in agreement that a new AirTag is coming next year.
Features
Gurman previously said the new AirTag would feature an upgraded chip with improved location tracking. If so, the AirTag could be updated with the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip that debuted in all iPhone 15 models last year.
Prime Day deals are continuing today with a match of the all-time low prices on both the 9th and 10th generation iPad. For more early Prime Day deals, check out our dedicated post with discounts on AirPods, MacBooks, and more.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
For the iPads, you can get the 64GB Wi-Fi 9th generation iPad for $199.99 in both colors, down from $329.00. This is a match of the record low price on this version of the 2021 tablet, and it's a deal we haven't seen in a few weeks.
Moving to the newer models, Amazon has the 64GB Wi-Fi 10th generation iPad for $299.00 in every color, down from $349.00. You can also get the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad for $447.00, down from $499.00. Both of these deals represent best-ever prices on the 10th generation iPad.
Cellular models are also seeing all-time low prices during Prime Day. The 64GB Cellular 10th generation iPad has hit $449.00 ($50 off), while the 256GB Cellular model is available for $598.00 ($51 off).
Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
Saturday marked the 13th anniversary of Steve Jobs passing away at the age of 56, following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. He died just one day after Apple's former marketing chief Phil Schiller unveiled the iPhone 4S and Siri.
Apple CEO Tim Cook once again paid tribute to Jobs on the day.
"Steve showed us that the future isn't something you wait for—it's something you build," said Cook, in a social media post on Saturday. "His memory lives on in the hearts of innovators and dreamers everywhere—at Apple and beyond."
Cook also reflected on Jobs while opening Apple's first-ever event at Steve Jobs Theater in September 2017.
"There is not a day that goes by that we don't think about him," said Cook.
At that event, Apple unveiled the iPhone X, which was a major update to the smartphone that Jobs had famously unveiled in 2007.
The Steve Jobs Archive website contains a collection of quotes, videos, and emails from Jobs, and offers fellowships to young creators to follow in his footsteps. In addition, Apple still has a "Remembering Steve" page on its website with condolences shared by customers around the world following his death in 2011.
Apple today started selling refurbished second-generation HomePod units in Canada for the first time since the speaker was released in January 2023. The refurbished units are priced at $339 in Canada, down from $399 brand new.
Apple began selling refurbished HomePod 2 units in the U.S. and many other countries just over a year ago, so it took a while for availability to expand to Canada.
Apple says its refurbished HomePods undergo full functionality testing, and they are inspected, cleaned, and repackaged in a plain white box with the power cord and documentation. The refurbished HomePods are covered by Apple's limited one-year warranty policy, and they are eligible for extended AppleCare+ coverage.
The second-generation HomePod has a similar design as the original HomePod that was discontinued in 2021, but with a larger backlit touch surface, two fewer tweeters, two fewer microphones, an indoor temperature and humidity sensor, and a few other changes. For more details about the speaker, read our HomePod roundup.
Apple has yet to release a third-generation HomePod, so this is still the newest model.
Prime Day doesn't officially start until tomorrow, October 8, but we've been tracking early deals for a few days now. To kick off the week, Amazon is now also providing two all-time low prices on the M2 MacBook Air.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Starting with the 256GB 13-inch M2 MacBook Air, you can get this model for $749.00 in three colors, down from $999.00. For more storage, Amazon has the 512GB model of the same computer for $949.00, down from $1,199.00.
Although Apple updated the MacBook Air back in March, it kept these 13-inch M2 models around as a low-cost option for customers. This means that the M2 MacBook Air should be perfect for anyone who doesn't care about owning newest generation notebook, but would rather save money while still getting a reliable computer.
Be sure to visit our early Prime Day deals post for a deeper dive into all the discounts already available for the event. Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.
Apple's new Vitals app for watchOS 11 appears to be impressing some users with its ability to detect potential illness days before symptoms manifest, according to recent reports on Reddit.
The Apple Watch app, which analyzes key health metrics measured during sleep over the last seven days, appears to be providing early warnings of impending sickness for at least some Apple Watch wearers ahead of time. It's available on Apple Watch Series 8 and newer models, including the Apple Watch Ultra series, as long as the devices are running watchOS 11.
One Reddit user, RCG21, shared their experience with the new feature:
"I started using Vitals when it first came out on the beta and since then I've gotten sick about twice. Both times it knew a couple days in advance and I hadn't felt anything wrong."
Vitals can be viewed on the Apple Watch in the Vitals app, or in the Vitals section of the Health app on iPhone, where it displays metrics such as heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, and blood oxygen levels. It establishes a typical range for each user over time and notifies them when metrics fall outside this range.
Another user, dalethomas81, posted a screenshot of their Vitals data, stating, "Woke up today feeling off. Now as the evening is setting in, I am feeling that old familiar feeling in my head. I'm sick." The image showed multiple metrics falling outside the typical range days before the user reported feeling ill.
Some users also reported the app detecting outliers associated with vaccines in their system before they experienced associated symptoms. TizianosBoy said:
"My watch knew I wasn't 100% after my COVID and flu jabs as all three vitals (Wrist Temperature, Heart Rate and Respiratory Rate) were outliers and that's how I knew I was not well, amazing tbh."
While many users praised the feature's accuracy, experiences varied. At least one user in the thread mentioned that the app didn't detect their illness in advance, suggesting that individual results may differ.
Despite signs that Vitals is picking up illnesses before users present symptoms, it's worth emphasizing that Apple says the app is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical conditions. Bear in mind that the ability to measure blood oxygen is not available on Apple Watch units sold by Apple in the United States after January 18, 2024, due to a legal ruling that found Apple violated Masimo's pulse oximetry patents with the feature.
An alleged unboxing video for an unannounced 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 chip was uploaded to YouTube today by Russian channel Wylsacom. The video was later linked to on social media platform X by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
It is possible that this is the same MacBook Pro box shown in photos that were shared by leaker ShrimpApplePro in late September, as he claimed that this MacBook Pro unit was apparently being sold in a private Facebook group at the time.
While we cannot confirm the authenticity of this leak, the box reveals four potential upgrades for what seems to be the base model 14-inch MacBook Pro:
25% faster M4 chip: The box lists this 14-inch MacBook Pro as having an M4 chip with a 10-core CPU, whereas the current model has the M3 chip with an 8-core CPU. An alleged Geekbench 6 benchmark result shared by the YouTube channel behind this leak suggests that the M4 chip will be up to 25% faster than the M3 chip. Apple already introduced the M4 chip in the iPad Pro in May, and it indeed has up to a 10-core CPU and up to 25% faster performance compared to the M3 chip.
16GB of RAM: It was previously rumored that 16GB of RAM could become the minimum for all future Macs, and the alleged packaging indeed suggests that the next 14-inch MacBook Pro would start with 16GB of RAM, unless it is somehow a built-to-order configuration that will be offered on Apple's online store.
Three Thunderbolt 4 ports: The box suggests the base 14-inch MacBook Pro will have three Thunderbolt 4 ports, up from two Thunderbolt 3 ports on the current model.
Space Black: The box suggests that Space Black would become a color option for the base 14-inch MacBook Pro, whereas it is currently exclusive to models configured with the M3 Pro or M3 Max chip.
Here is a screenshot of the box from the video:
Gurman today said he expects Apple to announce the first Macs with M4 chips in late October, and release at least some of them on Friday, November 1.
Here is the video, which could be removed from YouTube at any point:
Early deals for Prime Big Deal Days are flowing in this weekend, and now include the AirPods Max (Lightning) for $399.00 in every color, down from $549.00. This if the first time in a few weeks that we've seen the 2020 AirPods Max drop this low, and overall this is just about $5 higher when compared to their all-time low price.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
This deal is available in all five colors: Green, Pink, Silver, Sky Blue, and Space Gray. All colors have had the sale applied automatically with the exception of Pink, which does require an on-page coupon in order to see the final sale price at checkout.
If you're looking for the new USB-C models of the AirPods Max, there aren't any steep discounts seen yet on Amazon. However, you can save a small amount of money on select models, starting at $534.99 for the Purple AirPods Max.
We've been tracking all of the best early deals for Prime Big Deal Days in our dedicated article, and it includes even more AirPods deals. Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.
Amazon today has the Apple Pencil Pro for $99.00, down from the regular price of $129.00. This is a new record low price for the accessory, beating the previous sale price by about $10.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
This discount is part of Amazon's early access deals for Prime Big Deal Days, which officially begins on October 8. We've been tracking early deals for the event this weekend, and it also includes discounts on AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and more.
The Apple Pencil Pro launched in May alongside the new 2024 iPad lineup, introducing new gestures and capabilities into the stylus. The Apple Pencil Pro is compatible with the M4 iPad Pro and the M2 iPad Air, and marks the first update to the Apple Pencil since the Apple Pencil 2 in 2018.
Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.
Apple will announce several new M4 Mac models around the end of October, with the company planning to launch at least some of them as soon as Friday, November 1, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said that Apple will launch a new M4 version of its low-end 14-inch MacBook Pro, as well as higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips.
Desktop Macs are not being left out of the refresh, either. Gurman reports that Apple is planning to unveil a redesigned Mac mini with both M4 and M4 Pro chip options. Additionally, the iMac is set to receive an update, with Apple's all-in-one desktop finally transitioning to the M4 chip.
A refreshed iPad mini is also reportedly on the horizon, with a potential release date in early November. This would mark the first update to Apple's smallest tablet since its redesign in 2021.
Looking further ahead, Gurman outlined Apple's hardware plans for the first half of 2025. The company is expected to introduce M4-powered 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models, a new iPhone SE with Apple Intelligence, updated 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air models with accompanying new Magic Keyboards, and a refreshed AirTag.
Mac power users may need to wait a bit longer for high-end desktop updates. While new Mac Studio and Mac Pro models with M4 chips are in development, Gurman says they are slated for later releases. The Mac Studio is anticipated around mid-2025, with the Mac Pro following towards the end of the year.
Apple intends to launch iOS 18.1 with the first set of much-anticipated Apple Intelligence features on October 28, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Writing in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman says the release date is arriving this month later than initially expected, as Apple is reportedly taking extra time to ensure a smooth rollout and prepare its AI cloud servers for the increased traffic.
The update will bring the first wave of Apple Intelligence features to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 owners. Among the initial features are enhanced writing tools for rewriting, summarizing, and proofreading text, as well as a new Siri user interface. Users can also expect notification summaries for various apps, including Messages and Mail, and a new "Clean Up" tool in the Photos app that can remove unwanted elements from images using generative AI.
However, some of the more advanced Apple Intelligence features will be rolled out in subsequent updates. iOS 18.2, expected in December, will introduce ChatGPT support, Image Playground, and Genmoji for custom emoji creation. The full overhaul of Siri, which promises more precise app control and personalized responses, is slated for early 2025.
It's hard to believe we're already into October with the iPhone 16 launch behind us, but there's lots more still to come from Apple this year on both the hardware and software fronts.
We're still expecting a number of Mac and perhaps some iPad updates in the very near future, while Apple Intelligence features are set to begin rolling out with iOS 18.1 and related operating system updates. The train never really stops rolling though, as we're also looking ahead to a new iPhone SE and other updates in early 2025, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more!
15 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18.1
iOS 18.1 is still in beta, but it's coming to all users later this month and will bring a number of new features and improvements including the first Apple Intelligence capabilities for owners of the latest iPhone models. Other tweaks include fresh functionality for the Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 lineup and a much-desired ability to reset a customized Control Center layout.
What to Expect From an Apple Event in October: iPad Mini 7, Redesigned Mac Mini, and More
With Apple's annual iPhone and Apple Watch event now in the rear-view mirror, we're still awaiting some updates to the Mac lineup.
We're expecting some sort of event this month where we're likely to see several M4-based Macs including a redesigned Mac mini, as well as a new iPad mini and perhaps a few other things.
Apple Releases iOS 18.0.1 With Touch Screen Bug Fix and More
Ahead of the larger iOS 18.1 update coming later this month, Apple this week released an iOS 18.0.1 update with fixes for a number of bugs including touchscreen issues on the latest iPhone 16 models, camera freezes, and Messages app crashes.
Apple last month released the AirPods 4, and one version of the new earbuds has Active Noise Cancellation included. ANC means the AirPods 4 have a feature set that rivals the AirPods Pro 2, so we thought we'd compare the two for those undecided on which to get.
You're not going to get the same level of ANC with the AirPods 4 that you get with the AirPods Pro 2 because there's no sealing mechanism to block out noise, but the AirPods 4 still perform impressively well.
iPhone SE With Apple Intelligence, New iPad Air, and More Reportedly Launching 'Early Next Year'
Apple May Launch First iPad-Like Smart Home Accessory Next Year
Following a report last week from 9to5Mac indicating that Apple's rumored iPad-like smart display for the home could feature a "squarish" display with a launch targeted for next spring, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has confirmed that this is a simpler device than the one equipped with a robotic arm which has also been rumored.
This simpler device arriving as soon as next spring would run a new "homeOS" platform capable of running Apple apps like Calendar, Notes, and Home, and be "optimized for controlling home appliances and quickly seeing information."
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.
A jury for the U.S. District Court for Western Texas on Friday found that the Secure Enclave built into modern Apple devices does not infringe four user verification patents owned by the company "Identity Security LLC," according to Bloomberg Law.
Apple introduced the Secure Enclave in 2013 in the iPhone 5s, the first iPhone with Touch ID, and it is now used in all iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, and HomePod models. Apple says the Secure Enclave is a secure subsystem within its chips that is designed to keep sensitive user data secure, including Touch ID and Face ID data.
Identity Security LLC had sued Apple for patent infringement in 2021. It is not immediately clear if the company plans to appeal the jury's verdict.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
