Apple today released a new Vision Pro app for the iPhone, which is installed automatically for Vision Pro owners who upgrade to iOS 18.4 beta 2, the latest beta that also came out for developers this morning.
The app was announced two weeks ago, and it is designed to make it easier to find and download content to the Vision Pro when the headset is not in use.
There is a "My Vision Pro" section that has information like serial number and visionOS version, along with a user guide and tips for using the Vision Pro.
The app is straightforward and the main section is a "This Week" experience where you can scroll through different content options for the Vision Pro. There are dedicated sections for Apple Immersive content, new apps and games for the week, 3D movie suggestions, and feature highlights like the Mac Virtual Display. You can download apps and games to your Vision Pro using the app, plus add movies and TV shows to your watch list.
With the second beta of iOS 18.4, Visual Intelligence is available for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, two devices that did not previously support the feature. Until now, Visual Intelligence has been a feature limited to the iPhone 16 models, but it will now be available on all iPhones that support Apple Intelligence.
Since there is no Camera Control button on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Visual Intelligence can be activated through the Action Button or through a Control Center option. There is a new Action Button setting for Visual Intelligence, along with new Control Center buttons for activating the feature. On all iPhone 16 models, Visual Intelligence can now be activated through the Action Button, so it is no longer limited to the Camera Control button on the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max.
Using Visual Intelligence through the Action Button and Control Center is functionality that Apple implemented for the iPhone 16e, which supports Visual Intelligence but also does not have a Camera Control button.
After releasing the iPhone 16e with Visual Intelligence, Apple said that it would come to the iPhone 15 Pro models as well. Visual Intelligence is a camera feature that is designed to let you learn more about the places and objects that are around you.
Visual Intelligence can use the camera to summarize text, translate, read text aloud, search Google for objects, ask ChatGPT for information about an object or a place, and more.
The iOS 18.4 beta that Apple released to developers today is available for the iPhone 12 models, which means those devices can once again be updated to iOS 18.4.
After Apple released the first betas of iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, the updates caused some iPhone 12 models and some older iPads to get stuck in a boot loop. Apple ended up pulling the iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 updates for these devices, preventing them from being updated to avoid bricking them.
The error has presumably been fixed, because the second betas of iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 are available for affected devices. These devices were impacted:
This issue affected the watchOS 11.4 update for the Apple Watch Series 6 too, so Apple also pulled the watchOS 11.4 update for the Series 6. The second beta of watchOS 11.4 addresses the issue too.
The second iOS 18.4 beta also comes after the release of the iPhone 16e, so new iPhone 16e owners can upgrade to Apple's beta software. The initial iOS 18.4 beta could not be downloaded on the iPhone 16e.
Apple today provided developers with the second beta of an upcoming macOS Sequoia 15.4 update for testing purposes. The new beta is available two weeks after Apple released the first beta.
Registered developers can opt-in to the macOS Sequoia beta through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. An Apple ID associated with an Apple Developer account is required to get the beta.
macOS Sequoia 15.4 brings Mail Categorization to the Mac for the first time, reorganizing the Mail app into dedicated categories like transactions, updates, promotions, and primary, a category that surfaces the most important emails first.
For Apple News+ subscribers, there is a dedicated News+ Food section with recipes, articles about restaurants, and other related content. There's a new Sketch style in Image Playground, the option to create Memory Movies in the Photos app, and Apple Intelligence is expanding to new languages.
Apple plans to release macOS Sequoia 15.4 in early April.
Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming two weeks after Apple released the first betas.
iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update.
With iOS 18.4, Apple is adding the Priority Notifications Apple Intelligence feature, which is designed to determine which of your notifications are the most important, highlighting them in an easy-to-see dedicated section on the Lock Screen.
The update includes a new Apple News+ Food section for Apple News+ subscribers, plus it adds the Sketch style to Image Playground so you can generate images that look hand drawn. Apple Intelligence is also available in more languages, including French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (simplified), along with localized English for Singapore and India.
A future update is set to bring a dedicated Vision Pro app that will accompany the headset, allowing users to find and download content, manage the headset, control guest experiences, and more.
Mail Categorization has expanded to the iPad, and there's a new Ambient Music feature for playing relaxing music from Control Center. There are a number of other smaller features too, with details available in our iOS 18.4 features guide.
Apple plans to release iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 in early April.
Apple today provided developers with the second betas of upcoming visionOS 2.4, tvOS 18.4, and watchOS 11.4 updates for testing purposes. The software is available two weeks after Apple seeded the first betas.
The betas are available to registered developers, and can be downloaded from the Settings app on each device.
Of the three new software betas, the visionOS 2.4 update is the most notable because it brings Apple Intelligence to the Vision Pro for the first time. Apple Intelligence features available in visionOS include Writing Tools, Genmoji, Memory Movie, Image Playground, Priority Notifications, and ChatGPT integration.
The update will include a dedicated Spatial Gallery app, which will offer a curated selection of spatial videos, photos, and panoramas from artists, filmmakers, and photographers. Apple is also bringing a Vision Pro app to the iPhone for Vision Pro management, and it will let users find and download apps, add content to a watch list, and more.
With visionOS 2.4 and iOS 18.4, an iPhone can be used to set up Guest Mode on the Vision Pro, making it much easier to let people try out the headset. When a guest puts on the Vision Pro, a prompt appears on the iPhone, and the Vision Pro owner is able to choose what apps the guest can use and can see what the guest is doing via AirPlay.
Apple plans to release visionOS 2.4, tvOS 18.4, and watchOS 11.4 in early April.
"PicoChat" brings a nostalgic experience from the Nintendo DS to Apple's iMessage (via Overkill).
iMessage already includes built-in drawing via Digital Touch, but PicoChat recreates the distinct aesthetic and interaction style of PictoChat. PictoChat was a built-in messaging application preloaded on the Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Lite, and Nintendo DSi. It allowed users to communicate using text and drawings over a local wireless connection, functioning as a LAN-only chat service. Messages could be typed using a small on-screen keyboard or handwritten using the DS's stylus and touchscreen.
PicoChat is an iMessage app designed to replicate the iconic functionality and aesthetic of PictoChat. The app allows users to draw and handwrite messages directly within iMessage, supporting pixelated emoji, undo functionality, and the ability to save favorite drawings. Unlike the original PictoChat, which was limited to short-range wireless communication within a local network, PicoChat allows users to send drawings and messages regardless of distance due to working through iMessage.
The app's design is largely faithful to the interface of the original Nintendo DS software. Upon opening the PicoChat extension, users are presented with a minimalistic drawing space above a tiny keyboard, similar to the DS layout. The interface even includes a stylus animation when drawing.
While standalone iMessage apps are less prominent than they were following their introduction in iOS 10, Apple continues to support third-party extensions. Like other iMessage apps, PicoChat does not appear on the home screen and must be accessed within the Messages app by tapping the "+" button in a chat thread.
"Friday Night Baseball" is included with an Apple TV+ subscription, at no additional cost. In the U.S., Apple TV+ costs $9.99 per month or $99 per year, and it is also included in all Apple One subscription bundles with other Apple services.
Apple also announced a new immersive video called "VIP: Yankee Stadium" that will provide Apple Vision Pro users with "an all-access pass to one of the world's most iconic sports venues." The film will be released next month, for free, and it features broadcasting legend Joe Buck welcoming viewers to a June 2024 match between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. No Apple TV+ subscription is required for this.
Last, Apple said a new "Fight for Glory: 2024 World Series" docuseries is set to premiere on Apple TV+ later this month.
Samsung has kicked off a new Discover Samsung Spring Sale, which includes savings on monitors, TVs, Galaxy products, and more. This sale is set to last through March 9, with new deals appearing every day of the event.
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One of the best overall deals during this sale is on The Frame TVs, which are available for up to $1,300 off, depending on the size of the model you purchase. Every size is being discounted during this event, with the popular 65-inch The Frame TV available for $1,299.99, down from $1,999.99.
The best monitor deals include the popular 27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K Smart Monitor for $999.99, down from $1,599.99. At $600 off this is a solid second-best price on the 2023 display, which has a matte display, modular 4K SlimFit camera, and support for Thunderbolt 4.
When purchasing select monitors this week, Samsung is offering the 32-inch ViewFinity S7 4K Monitor for free. This includes monitors like the 34-inch Odyssey Curved Gaming Monitor for $784.99, down from $1,599.99.
Of course, there's a lot more on sale than just monitors. This sale also covers the newest Galaxy S25 smartphones, The Frame TV, and Samsung's line of home appliances, including refrigerators and washer/dryers. We've accumulated some of these deals in the lists below, but be sure to check out Samsung's website for the full sale.
Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
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In the U.S., the Smart Thermostat Essential is priced at $129.99, making it Ecobee's most affordable smart thermostat.
Ecobee's smart thermostat can help you save money by intelligently optimizing your home's temperature. For example, the thermostat can reduce energy usage while you are away from home. When paired with Ecobee's SmartSensors, the thermostat can detect occupancy and optimize comfort in certain rooms throughout the home.
Ecobee claims the thermostat can pay for itself by helping you spend up to 23% less on annual heating and cooling costs.
The thermostat supports Apple's smart home platform HomeKit, and it can be controlled with Ecobee's app on the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. It also works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings, and more.
Compared to Ecobee's highest-end Smart Thermostat Premium, priced at $249.99 in the U.S., the lower-priced Essential model lacks features such as a built-in occupancy sensor, dual-band Wi-Fi, a built-in indoor air quality monitor, hands-free calling and intercom functionality, built-in Siri voice control, and a few other things.
Cook shared a similar teaser last month, ahead of the iPhone 16e announcement. As was the case with the iPhone 16e, the new MacBook Air or any other new product should be announced in a press release on the Apple Newsroom website, and there could be an accompanying YouTube video announcement.
Beyond the M4 chip, the new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models are expected to have Thunderbolt 4 ports, a Center Stage camera, longer battery life, and a few other upgrades.
What are some other wild-card "air" possibilities?
A new iPad Air is also expected to launch at some point fairly soon, and a new AirTag is also expected by mid-2025. There is also a rumored "iPhone 17 Air" with an ultra-thin design, but that device is not expected to be unveiled until September.
Apple is expected to announce new MacBook Air models with the M4 chip as soon as this week, and new iPads should follow shortly after.
iPad Air and iPad 10 inventory is running low at Apple Stores, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes this is a sign that new iPads will be introduced soon.
However, unlike the new MacBook Air, he said the new iPad models "probably won't come in the next few days."
So, the timeframe for the new iPads is not narrowed down yet, but it seems like the devices will not be unveiled at the same time as the MacBook Air with the M4 chip.
Our best guess is that these iPads will launch at some point in March or April.
No major design changes have been rumored for the next iPad Air or iPad 11, with the devices expected to receive under-the-hood improvements only. The next iPad Air is expected to be powered by the M3 chipor M4 chip, while the iPad 11 is rumored to be equipped with an A16 Bionic chipor A17 Pro chip.
As for the iPad Pro, do not expect a new model until Apple announces the M5 chip. And the iPad mini was just updated months ago.
Amazon this weekend is providing record low prices on multiple models of the iPad mini 7, starting at $399.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi tablet, down from $499.00. Best Buy is also matching many of these deals.
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Amazon has all four colors of the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 on sale at this price, and it's a match of the best price we've ever tracked on the tablet. You can also get the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 for $499.00 and the 512GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 for $699.99, both $100 discounts and available in multiple colors.
Deals on cellular models are a bit rarer on Amazon, with a few colors of the 256GB cellular iPad mini 7 on sale for $649.00, down from $749.00. If you prefer shopping at Best Buy, remember that the retailer is matching all of these sales on the iPad mini 7.
Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.
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Bloomberg's Mark Gurman last month reported that Apple was considering delaying at least some of its promised Apple Intelligence enhancements for Siri until iOS 18.5, and that plan appears increasingly likely based on his latest information.
Gurman said Apple was initially planning to launch the Apple Intelligence enhancements for Siri in iOS 18.4, but it seems that the features have been pushed back until iOS 18.5 due to a lack of readiness and software bugs. Accordingly, none of the promised features are available in the first beta of iOS 18.4 released last month.
The follow-up release, iOS 18.5, is where the good stuff is supposed to wind up. It has the AI-infused Siri that the company showed off last June, as well as support for Apple Intelligence in China.
Apple's software engineers have been internally testing iOS 18.5 since at least the start of February, according to the MacRumors visitor logs.
Gurman expects iOS 18.5 to be released in May, but beta testing should begin sooner:
The next version of Siri will be a test of whether Apple can mount a comeback. The software is likely be released in May, a full 11 months after it was introduced.
It is still possible that some of the Siri upgrades could arrive in a later iOS 18.4 beta, but Gurman seems to be leaning into iOS 18.5 timing for now.
The upgrades coming to Siri will include on-screen awareness, understanding of a user's personal context, and deeper per-app controls. For example, during its WWDC 2024 keynote, Apple showed an iPhone user asking Siri about their mother's flight and lunch reservation plans based on info from the Mail and Messages apps.
Apple Intelligence requires an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 model.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman last year reported that Apple was planning a "more conversational" version of Siri for iOS 19.4, powered by "more advanced large language models." However, in his Power On newsletter today, he said that development of this more ChatGPT-like Siri is now running behind schedule within the company.
Gurman said Apple is no longer planning to unveil the more conversational Siri at WWDC 2025 in June this year, and it appears that the feature is no longer on track to launch as part of iOS 19.4 in March or April next year. Instead, he said that some Apple software engineers believe that the Siri overhaul will not launch until at least iOS 20.
This is yet another sign that Apple remains behind OpenAI in the generative AI space.
Gurman still expects iOS 19 to include some changes to Siri's underlying architecture that will allow it to handle more advanced queries.
In the meantime, iOS 18.2 added ChatGPT integration to Siri, and Google Gemini integration should follow in a later software update. And with iOS 18.5, which should be released in May, Siri is expected to gain on-screen awareness, understanding of personal context, and deeper per-app controls. Those features were initially expected to arrive with iOS 18.4, which further underscores Apple's internal delays in this area.
Apple plans to announce new MacBook Air models with the M4 chip "as early as this week," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
"I expect the M4 MacBook Air to be introduced as early as this week," said Gurman, in a post shared on X today. "Inventory has significantly wound down and Apple is preparing a Mac-related announcement in the next few days."
Expect new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models with Apple's already-released M4 chip, which has a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU.
Apple already updated the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini with M4 chips in October last year. Geekbench 6 results showed that the M4 chip is up to 25% faster than the M3 chip in terms of multi-core CPU performance.
Also in October, Apple increased the minimum RAM included in all MacBook Air models from 8GB to 16GB. The maximum RAM option could rise to 32GB.
Longer battery life is also likely.
Following in the footsteps of the MacBook Pro, the next MacBook Air models will likely have an upgraded 12-megapixel camera with support for Center Stage, a feature that automatically keeps you centered on video as you move around. The camera should also support Desk View, which shows both you and an overhead view of your desk.
Center Stage is available in video calling apps like FaceTime and Zoom. The feature was previously limited to newer iPad models and Macs connected to Apple's external Studio Display. The new MacBook Pro and iMac models were the first Macs to support Center Stage without needing to rely on a Studio Display.
The new MacBook Air models will likely be equipped with three Thunderbolt 4 ports, whereas the current models have two Thunderbolt 3 ports. And the new models will likely support up to two external displays, even when the lid is open.
The latest MacBook Pro and iMac models can be configured with a nano-texture display, which has a special coating that better scatters light to further minimize glare on the screen. It is possible that Apple will extend this option to the new MacBook Air models, but it could opt to keep the option exclusive to the MacBook Pro for differentiation.
No major external design changes have been rumored for the next MacBook Air models. Apple last redesigned the MacBook Air in 2022.
As always, there could be a surprise or two beyond these expected upgrades.
If the new MacBook Air models do arrive this week, expect a press release on the Apple Newsroom website, and perhaps a YouTube video announcement.
On his YouTube channel Front Page Tech in January, Jon Prosser shared a video showing what the new Camera app will apparently look like, with the key change being translucent menus for camera controls. Overall, the design of these menus looks similar to visionOS, the software platform for Apple's Vision Pro headset.
A re-created render of iOS 19's redesigned Camera app (Credit: Front Page Tech)
More of the camera's viewfinder is visible compared to iOS 18. The camera controls are split into Photo and Video categories at the bottom of the app.
The camera controls include options for recording spatial video, turning on a timer for a photo, and more. Additional controls for video resolution and frame rate pop over at the top of the screen as necessary, according to the video.
It is unclear if the alleged visionOS-like design changes will extend to other parts of the iOS 19 interface, or to more of Apple's built-in apps.
iOS 19 will introduce a "more conversational Siri" powered by "more advanced large language models," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. This will make Siri more like ChatGPT, allowing the assistant to "handle more sophisticated requests."
Apple will likely preview the revamped Siri during its iOS 19 announcement, but Gurman said it will not be available until as early as spring 2026. That suggests the feature will be released as part of iOS 19.4 in March or April next year.
In the meantime, iOS 18.2 added ChatGPT integration to Siri, and Google Gemini integration should follow in a later update. And with iOS 18.4 or iOS 18.5, Siri will gain on-screen awareness, understanding of personal context, deeper per-app controls, and other upgrades.
The oldest devices in that list are the iPhone XS, iPhone XS, and iPhone XR, all of which were released in September 2018.
Of course, some iOS 19 features will be unavailable on older iPhone models.
If this report is accurate, it would be the second year in a row in which Apple did not drop support for any iPhone models with its major annual iOS release. iOS 18 is compatible with the same iPhone models as iOS 17 is.
iOS 17 dropped support for the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X.
Timing
The first iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 betas should be released during WWDC 2025 in June, and the updates are likely to be released in September.
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Apple offered a line of Wi-Fi routers that it referred to as AirPort base stations. There was a standard AirPort Express, a higher-end AirPort Extreme with more advanced networking features, and an AirPort Time Capsule that doubled as an external storage drive for backing up a Mac with Time Machine.
Apple is reportedly aiming to make a bigger push into smart home products, with the company rumored to be planning an all-new smart home hub for release later this year. Apple is also said to be planning a HomeKit-enabled smart home camera that can connect to the hub, and together the products could serve as a home security system. If future Apple TV and/or HomePod models could effectively double as AirPort routers for Wi-Fi, that would be another way for Apple to expand its presence in the smart home market.
Apple's chip will support Wi-Fi 6E, according to Gurman, whereas the final AirPort models supported what is now known as Wi-Fi 5. However, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu believes the chip will actually support Wi-Fi 7.
It remains to be seen if the Apple TV and HomePod actually become Wi-Fi routers, but Apple is seemingly developing technology that allows for it.
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A re-created render of iOS 19's redesigned Camera app (Credit: Front Page Tech)
