MacRumors

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss all of the latest rumors about the iPhone 17 "Slim" – a whole new kind of iPhone coming next year.

The ‌iPhone 17‌ "Slim" is expected to sit above the iPhone 17 Pro Max in 2025's ‌iPhone‌ lineup with a starting price of approximately $1,299. The main selling point is said to be its all-new design touting a super-thin aluminium-titanium chassis and a relocated rear camera that could feature a variable aperture for the first time. It is expected to have a 6.6-inch display and Apple's custom 5G modem, and it may also feature up to 2TB of storage. Despite its high price point, the device is rumored to contain lower-end specifications than the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models, such as a single rear camera, a standard A19 chip, and 8GB of memory.

We also discuss the iPhone 16 Pro's rumored Rose color option that looks set to replace Blue Titanium, Apple's progress on a clamshell foldable iPhone, and the fourth-generation ‌iPhone‌ SE, which is apparently set to hit mass production in October. The new low-cost ‌iPhone‌ is expected to feature an ‌iPhone‌ 14-like design with an OLED display and Face ID, a USB-C port, a single rear 48-megapixel camera, Apple's custom 5G modem, and the Action button.

The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips:

You can also listen to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player.

If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion about revisiting the Apple Vision Pro and first impressions of the iOS 18 public beta.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Luke Miani, Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Kevin Nether, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Jon Prosser, Sam Kohl, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.

‌The MacRumors Show‌ is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.

For the first time in years, Apple has fallen out of the top five smartphone vendors in China, ranking sixth in the second quarter of 2024.

Data from Canalys, a market research firm, shows that Apple's iPhone shipments in China declined by 6.7% year-on-year. This drop has been attributed to fierce competition from domestic brands such as Huawei, Vivo, Oppo, Honor, and Xiaomi. Huawei, in particular, has seen a resurgence in the high-end smartphone market, fueled by advanced chips produced entirely in China.

Canalys reported that the overall Chinese smartphone market experienced a 10% year-on-year growth in the second quarter of 2024, with shipments exceeding 70 million units. Vivo reclaimed the number one spot by shipping 13.1 million units, capturing a 19% market share. Oppo followed with 11.3 million units, Honor with 10.7 million units, and Huawei with 10.6 million units. Xiaomi re-entered the top five with a 17% year-on-year increase, shipping 10 million units. In contrast, Apple's shipments dropped to 9.7 million units, representing a 14% market share.

The increased competition and market dynamics in China have posed significant challenges for Apple. The company's market share decreased from 16% in the previous year to 14%, pushing it from third to sixth place. Despite promotional efforts, including significant discounts of up to 23%, Apple has struggled to maintain its market position. The competitive landscape has been further complicated by the overall growth of local vendors, which have benefited from their localized supply chains and strong brand loyalty among Chinese consumers.

Apple's Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams recently visited China, meeting with officials in Beijing and Shenzhen to reinforce Apple's commitment to the Chinese market. Canalys analyst Lucas Zhong emphasized the importance of the company localizing Apple Intelligence for China within the next year to regain market share. The anticipated release of the iPhone 16 lineup later this year is also expected to drive demand and potentially improve Apple's market position.

Apple has reduced iPhone prices in India for the first time following a cut in import duties and is considering assembling iPads in the country for the first time.

As noted by TechCrunch, Apple has lowered the prices of its ‌iPhone‌ models in India by 3-4% after the Indian government reduced import duties on smartphones from 20% to 15% in its annual budget on July 23. This price reduction marks the first time Apple has decreased prices on its Pro models in India, with the cuts ranging from 300 rupees ($3.60) for models like the ‌iPhone‌ 13, 14, and 15, to up to 6,000 rupees ($71.70) for the iPhone 15 Pro and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max.

In parallel with these price adjustments, Foxconn, Apple's main contract manufacturer, is reportedly exploring the possibility of assembling iPads at its facility in Tamil Nadu, India, according to The Economic Times. This would mark a significant expansion from Foxconn's current focus on ‌iPhone‌ production in India and reflects confidence in India's growing supply chain capabilities, aligning with Apple's broader strategy to diversify its manufacturing base away from China. Discussions between Foxconn and the Indian government have apparently already taken place.

The reduction in import duties is part of India's broader economic strategy to boost local manufacturing and integrate more deeply into the global electronics supply chain. By lowering the cost of high-end smartphones like the ‌iPhone‌, the Indian government aims to make these devices more accessible to a larger segment of the population. This also supports Apple's ongoing efforts to expand its footprint in the Indian market, which has become increasingly important as growth in more established markets like China has slowed.

Apple's assembly operations in India have seen significant growth in recent years. Currently, about 14% of all iPhones are produced in India, a number that is expected to increase as Foxconn and other partners expand their facilities in the country. Foxconn has already invested heavily in new manufacturing plants in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and the prospect of iPad assembly in India could see Apple's presence in the country increase even further.

Apple has committed to a set of voluntary AI safeguards established by President Joe Biden's administration, joining other tech giants in a move to ensure responsible AI development (via Bloomberg).

Apple is now part of the a group of influential technology companies agreeing to the Biden administration's voluntary safeguards for artificial intelligence. The safeguards, announced by the White House last year as part of an Executive Order, aim to guide the development of AI systems, ensuring they are tested for discriminatory tendencies, security vulnerabilities, and potential national security risks.

The principles outlined in the guidelines call for companies to share the results of AI system tests with governments, civil society, and academia. This level of transparency is intended to foster an environment of accountability and peer review, promoting the development of safer and more reliable AI technologies. The safeguards Apple and other tech companies have agreed to also include commitments to test their AI systems for biases and security concerns.

Although these guidelines are not legally binding, they signify a collective effort by the tech industry to self-regulate and mitigate the potential risks associated with AI technologies. The executive order signed by President Biden last year also requires AI systems to undergo testing before being eligible for federal procurement.

Apple's participation in the initiative coincides with its plans to introduce its own cohesive AI system and deep integration with OpenAI's ChatGPT. Apple Intelligence will be supported by the iPhone 15 Pro and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max, as well as all upcoming iPhone 16 models. For the Mac and iPad, all devices equipped with M-series Apple silicon chips will support ‌Apple Intelligence‌.

While ‌Apple Intelligence‌ is not yet available in beta for iOS 18, iPadOS 18, or macOS Sequoia, the company has pledged to release some features in beta soon, with a public release expected by the end of the year. Further enhancements, including an overhaul to Siri that leverages in-app actions and personal context, are anticipated to roll out in the spring of 2025.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Apple doesn't typically focus much on the Calculator app, but with iOS 18, it's getting a notable overhaul and some surprising integration with the Notes app.

This guide walks through everything that's new with the Calculator in ‌iOS 18‌ (and iPadOS 18).

Math Notes

The biggest change to the Calculator app is the addition of Math Notes, a feature that's basically an integration between the Calculator and the Notes app.

Math Notes lets you type equations in the Notes app and have them solved automatically when you put in an equals sign. So you can do things like calculate how much everyone owes for a group trip, or split up a dinner bill.

You can do more complex equations too, defining variables and then using those definitions for your calculations. If you write dinner = $57 and movies = $24 in a note, for example, you can then type in "dinner + movies" and add an equals sign and get the total, with the Math Notes feature understanding what you're referencing.

In Math Notes, your equations are solved automatically wherever you put in an equals sign, as that signals to Apple that you want to solve what you've typed.

Math Notes is technically a Notes app feature, but you can in fact start a Math Note in the Calculator app, and use it right there without having to swap over to Notes.

1. Open up the Calculator app.
2. Tap on the calculator symbol at the bottom left of the app.
3. Select Math Notes.
4. Tap on the new note symbol at the bottom right of the display.
5. Start your calculations.

You can do this same thing directly in the Notes app with any existing or new note. It's all the same feature, just accessed from different places.

If you're in a Math Note in the Calculator app and you want to get back to the standard calculator interface, just tap again on the calculator icon and choose the Basic or Scientific option.

Apple says that Math Notes is available for math written using Western Arabic numerals and common mathematical symbols, or typed using Arabic (Eastern & Western) and Devanagari numerals and common mathematical symbols.

Math Notes on iPad

With ‌iPadOS 18‌, Math Notes works in the same way, but there is an added bonus - you can use the Apple Pencil. Once you start a Math Note from the Calculator app or the Notes app, you can write your equations by hand and have them solved in the exact same way.

Math Notes Everywhere

You can in fact get Math Notes results almost anywhere in the operating system. If you type an equation into search, for example, you'll get a result, and the same goes for apps like Messages.

Unit Conversion

When using Math Notes, you can do unit conversions. Just type in what you want to convert, and you'll get the result automatically. For example, if you type in 10 kilograms to pounds in the Math Notes interface in the Calculator app, the result is automatically generated.

Unit conversions work in search, Messages, Notes, the Calculator app, and more.

Calculation History

If you open up the Calculator app and tap on the three lines at the upper left of the interface, you can see a history of all of the calculations you have entered into the app. Apple only saves calculations done with the Basic or Scientific calculators here, and Math Notes are saved in the Notes app.

You can long press on any of the calculations to copy either the expression or the result, and if you swipe, you can delete them from the list. You can also tap on the Edit button to select several expressions to delete, or use the Delete All option from this menu to clear out the app.

Portrait Orientation

There is now an option to use the scientific calculator in portrait orientation, so you don't need to turn your iPhone to landscape orientation to get to it anymore.

Read More

Additional information on new features that Apple has added in ‌iOS 18‌ can be found in our iOS 18 roundup.

Apple rival Epic Games today announced plans to bring Fortnite to alternative app store AltStore in the European Union, which will mean the popular game will soon be available to download on iPhones and iPads.

Created by developer Riley Testut, AltStore PAL was one of the first alternative app stores on iOS when it launched back in April. AltStore PAL is available in the European Union, where Apple supports sideloading to comply with Digital Markets Act.

AltStore is an open-source app that distributes Testut's popular Delta game emulator as well as apps from other independent developers. Distributing apps through AltStore is free of charge, so ‌Epic Games‌ will not need to pay a fee to Testut, but Apple will collect an 0.50 euro Core Technology Fee (CTF) from ‌Epic Games‌ after Fortnite receives more than one million annual first installs.

Customers who install AltStore must also pay 1.50 euros per year, a fee that is required because of Apple's CTF. Apple charges Testut 0.50 euros each time AltStore is installed.

Along with bringing Fortnite to AltStore, ‌Epic Games‌ said that it will bring Fortnite to other mobile stores that "give all developers a great deal," while also "ending distribution partnerships with mobile stores that serve as rent collectors." ‌Epic Games‌ said that it will be removing Fortnite and other Epic titles from the Samsung Galaxy Store to protest Samsung's "anticompetitive decision to block side-loading by default" on Samsung devices.

‌Epic Games‌ also reiterated plans to bring its ‌Epic Games‌ Store to iOS in the European Union. Epic will charge a store fee of 12 percent for payments that it processes, and 0 percent on third-party payments.

Apple’s iCloud Private Relay service is down for some users, according to Apple’s System Status page. Apple says that the ‌iCloud‌ Private Relay service may be slow or unavailable.

The outage started at 2:34 p.m. Eastern Time, but it does not appear to be affecting all ‌iCloud‌ users. Some impacted users are unable to browse the web without turning ‌iCloud‌ Private Relay off, while others are seeing slow loading times.

We'll update this article when the outage has been resolved.

OpenAI today introduced SearchGPT, a prototype of AI search features that are designed to provide "fast and timely answers" combined with "clear and relevant sources."

SearchGPT is available to a small group of users and publishers at the current time, with OpenAI seeking feedback on the product. The prototype is temporary at the current time, but "best" of the features will be integrated into ChatGPT in the future.

OpenAI designed SearchGPT to pair conversational capabilities with real-time information with the web, which the company says can make it faster and easier to find what you're looking for. SearchGPT is able to respond to questions with up-to-date information from the web. SearchGPT is able to answer follow-up questions in a conversational manner, with shared context included with each additional query.

OpenAI says that it is committed to a "thriving ecosystem of publishers and creators" and that it wants to help users discover publisher sites. Responses that SearchGPT provides have in-line, named attribution and links so users are aware where information is coming from, plus there's a sidebar with additional source links.

Publishers are able to manage how they appear in SearchGPT, but OpenAI says that SearchGPT is "about search" and separate from training generative AI models. Sites can be surfaced in search results even if they've opted out of generative AI training.

Those interested in testing out SearchGPT can join OpenAI's waitlist.

Sonos CEO Patrick Spence today penned a blog post on the Sonos website apologizing for the controversial Sonos app redesign and promising ongoing updates throughout the year.

Spence said that improving the app for customers is the company's number one priority, and he explained that addressing bugs that came up in the new app delayed the introduction of additional features.

We know that too many of you have experienced significant problems with our new app which rolled out on May 7, and I want to begin by personally apologizing for disappointing you. There isn't an employee at Sonos who isn't pained by having let you down, and I assure you that fixing the app for all of our customers and partners has been and continues to be our number one priority.

Spence shared an outline of future feature plans, with Sonos planning to push updates on a bi-weekly basis. Alarms are set to be addressed in September, with edit mode for playlists and the queue coming in September or October.

July and August:

• Improving the stability when adding new products
• Implementing Music Library configuration, browse, search, and play

August and September:

• Improving Volume responsiveness
• User interface improvements based on customer feedback
• Improving overall system stability and error handling

September:

• Improving Alarm consistency and reliability

September and October:

• Restoring edit mode for Playlists and the Queue
• Improving functionality in settings

Spence says that Sonos is working hard to earn back customer trust through the continual app improvements.

Sonos in May released its redesigned app with customizable home screen and a more personalized listening service. Sonos customers quickly found that the app lacked several key features, and suffered from multiple bugs. Complaints across social media called the app a "step back" for removing playlist management, alarms, and other features.

Amazon today has a large collection of discounts from Anker, Eufy, and Jackery, including a wide array of wall chargers, Bluetooth trackers, and other USB-C accessories. Some of these deals will require you to clip an on-page coupon then head to the checkout screen before you see the final sale price, and some require a Prime membership.

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.

Eufy's main discount is on the SmartTrack Link 4 Pack for $48.99 with a Prime membership, down from $69.99. This tracking accessory is compatible with Apple's Find My app, so you can get left behind notifications and many other Find My features when you add it to the app.

Switching to the Anker deals, you can get the 24,000 mAh Prime Power Bank with Smart Digital Display for $109.99, down from $129.99. If you need a bigger battery, you can get the Portable Power Station with Smart Display + Retractable Light for $104.99 with a Prime membership, down from $149.99.

Finally, for the Jackery deals you'll find an array of portable power stations on sale this week, including the Explorer 100 Plus with Solar Panel for $199.99 with an on-page coupon, down from $229.99. This is a miniature-sized portable power station that can fit in the palm of your hand and weighs just 2.13 lbs, while featuring a 31,000 mAh capacity and 128W output.

Eufy

• SmartTrack Link 2 Pack - $29.88, down from $35.99
• SmartTrack Link 4 Pack - $48.99 for Prime members, down from $69.99

Jackery

• Explorer 100 Plus with Solar Panel - $199.99 with on-page coupon, down from $229.00
• Solar Generator 240 with Mini Solar Panel - $249.00, down from $349.00
• Explorer 1000 Power Station - $549.00 with on-page coupon, down from $999.00
• Explorer 1000 Power Station V2 - $599.00, down from $799.00
• Explorer 2000 PRO Power Station - $999.00 with on-page coupon, down from $1,899.00

Anker

Portable Batteries

• Nano Power Bank with Built-In USB-C Cable - $35.99, down from $49.99
• Prime Power Bank 20,000 mAh with 100W Charging Base - $149.99 for Prime members, down from $184.99

Power Stations

• MagGo 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station - $79.99 with on-page coupon, down from $99.99
• MagGo 3-in-1 Folding Charging Station - $87.99 for Prime members, down from $109.99
• Portable Power Station with Smart Display + Retractable Light - $104.99 for Prime members, down from $149.99
• 3-in-1 MagSafe Charging Cube - $129.99, down from $149.99
• SOLIX F2000 Portable Power Station - $1,299.00 for Prime members, down from $1,999.00

Wall Chargers

• 20W USB-C Charger - $13.99, down from $16.99
• 100W 3-Port USB-C Charger - $49.99, down from $74.99
• 6-in-1 Nano Charging Station - $49.49 with on-page coupon, down from $65.99
• Prime 67W 3-Port Charger - $59.99, down from $65.99

Hubs

• 4-Port USB-C Hub - $15.99, down from $19.99
• 10-in-1 USB-C Hub - $45.99 for Prime members, down from $149.99

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

Apple is set to open a new applied research lab in Shenzhen, China, focusing on enhancing the quality and reliability of its flagship products (via Shenzhen Daily).

The new lab in Shenzhen is expected to boost Apple's research capabilities, focusing on reliability and quality testing for key products. The new facility will focus on testing new materials and production techniques, ensuring that products such as the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro can withstand extreme conditions, from intense physical activity to harsh temperatures. The lab's readiness comes at a crucial time as Apple ramps up production for its iPhone 16 lineup, which is widely expected to launch in the fall.

The choice of Shenzhen is significant due to its proximity to many of Apple's suppliers. Apple first announced plans for the new lab in March. Despite diversifying its production capacity to other countries like Vietnam and India, China remains a key manufacturing hub for Apple. The new Shenzhen facility is part of a broader expansion, which includes research and development centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou. Apple has invested over 1 billion yuan (approximately $138 million) in these facilities.

Bloomberg reports that Apple's Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Williams, recently visited Shenzhen to discuss investment and collaboration plans. He reportedly emphasized the critical role Shenzhen plays in Apple's market strategy. Williams' visit to China also included meetings with senior Chinese officials in Beijing, a visit to an Apple Store in the Wangfujing shopping district, watching a film shot on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and a meeting with entertainment company Migu, which showcased its app developed for the ‌Apple Vision Pro‌.

Threads is currently rolling out a new way for users of its iOS app to create dedicated feeds based on search results, similar to how it works for Threads on the web.

When a search is performed, the new option in the app lets users bookmark the search, after which it lives on in the Home tab, alongside the For You and Following feeds.

The feature has been available for a while on the Threads web view for desktop, where users could pin multiple customized columns, similar to the TweetDeck feature that used to be available on Twitter. The new addition for the iOS app is rolling out now, so you will probably want the latest app update installed so that you don't miss out when it arrives in your region.

Threads has been around for over a year now. When it launched back in July 2023, the experience was very barebones, but Meta has worked to add new functionality on a regular basis to put the social network on a more level pegging with X (Twitter).

It has since gained a web app, the ability to search for posts chronologically, a post editing feature, built-in translation, fediverse integration, fast account switching, and more.

The gradual trickle of new features appears to be paying off: The app now has more than 175 million active monthly users, according to Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg.

Do you find yourself frequently scrolling through multiple Home Screen pages on your iPhone to get to the apps you access most often? If so, chances are you've already filled up the first page with some of your favorite apps. But what if you could automatically make all of your most-used apps appear on page one? With the Siri Suggestions widget, you can.

The Siri Suggestions widget intelligently recommends apps based on your usage patterns. By populating your Home Screen with multiple instances of this widget, you can ensure that the apps you need most are always just a tap away. Read on to learn how it's done.

1. With your iPhone unlocked, swipe to a Home Screen page with at least two free rows available.
2. Press and hold the empty space on the Home Screen until the apps start to jiggle.
3. Tap the "+" button in the top-left corner of the screen to access the widget gallery.
4. Search for "Siri Suggestions" in the widget gallery or scroll through the list to find it.
5. Tap the Siri Suggestions widget option, then choose the first option showing two rows of apps by tapping Add Widget.
   
   

6. Drag the widget to a fresh new page containing no other apps.
7. Add another instance of the Siri Suggestions widget by tapping the "+" button in the top-left corner of the screen again, then selecting it in the widget gallery, just like you did for the first one.
8. Add a third Siri Suggestions widget in the same way.
   
   

9. Next, tap the row of dots representing your ‌Home Screen‌ pages.
10. In the ‌Home Screen‌ grid that appears, touch and drag the page of widgets you just made and move it so that it's the first Home Screen page (the one you see when you unlock your iPhone). The others will move to make way in response to your drag action.
11. Tap Done in the top-right corner of the screen when you're happy with the new arrangement, then tap Done again to exit jiggle mode.
    

Don't worry if the widgets first show the same suggested apps as each other – this will correct itself when you swipe away from the page and return to it. That's all there is to it. By following the above steps, you will have quick access to your most-used apps, even if your habits change, ensuring your Home Screen is both dynamic and tailored to your needs.

Apple's User Privacy Engineering Manager Katie Skinner and Privacy Product Marketing Lead Sandy Parakilas recently sat down with YouTuber Andru Edwards for a wide-ranging discussion on Apple's privacy policies.

Topics covered include Apple's approach to privacy, the ways Apple contends with privacy laws in different countries, and how Apple deals with government requests, plus there's a good deal of information on the new features in iOS 18.

Some of what's discussed covers privacy information that Apple has reiterated over and over again, but there are some interesting tidbits on Apple's adoption of ChatGPT, Maps privacy, the Passwords app, and accessory pairing in ‌iOS 18‌.

It's a long discussion at almost 45 minutes, but worth it for those who want a bit more insight into Apple's philosophy on privacy.

A trio of NCAA college football conferences, including the SEC, ACC, and Big Ten, recently announced that coaches and players will use iPads on the sidelines of games for video replay purposes starting in the upcoming 2024 season.

"We're thrilled the SEC, ACC, and Big Ten are utilizing iPad, as its unique capabilities and versatility make it the ideal solution to support coaches and student-athletes," said Scott Brodrick, an iPad product marketing employee at Apple. "With an unrivaled combination of advanced displays, powerful performance, portability, fast connectivity, all-day battery life and versatile accessories, iPad will let coaches and players make in-game adjustments and empower athletes to compete at the highest level."

The introduction of iPads is a result of upcoming NCAA rule changes that allow for video replay technology to be used on the sidelines of college football games, for the first time. The 2024 season begins on Saturday, August 24.

Apple is rumored to have been working on its own 5G modem for iPhones since 2018, but the project has reportedly faced numerous challenges and delays. At last, however, the project may be finally getting closer to completion.

In a short article posted on social media platform X today, well-known Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said two iPhone models with an Apple-designed 5G modem will be released in 2025, including a fourth-generation iPhone SE in the first quarter of the year and an all-new, ultra-thin iPhone 17 model in the third quarter.

All existing iPhones that are currently sold by Apple are equipped with Qualcomm modems for cellular connectivity. Earlier this year, Apple extended its 5G modem supply agreement with Qualcomm for iPhone launches through 2026, so Apple's transition to its own in-house 5G chips will likely be gradual over multiple years.

Apple acquired the majority of Intel's smartphone modem business in 2019, as part of its efforts to design its own 5G chip. It is unclear if Apple's chip would have any consumer benefits over Qualcomm's modems, but it would reduce Apple's reliance on Qualcomm. In 2017, Apple sued Qualcomm over alleged anticompetitive practices and $1 billion in unpaid royalty rebates. The two companies settled the lawsuit in 2019.

Apple today announced that it has launched an Apple Maps on the web feature, which is available in a public beta capacity. Apple Maps for the web works in Safari and other web browsers, allowing users to get directions without having to open up the Maps app.

‌Apple Maps‌ on the web works like the ‌Apple Maps‌ app, so users can get driving and walking directions, find places to visit, view ratings and hours, and browse curated Guides. There are also features for ordering food directly from the Maps place card and discovering places to eat, shop, and explore in cities around the world. Apple says that additional options like Look Around will be introduced in the coming months.

‌Apple Maps‌ on the web will serve as an alternative to Google Maps, which has long been the most popular web-based mapping option. You can check out ‌Apple Maps‌ on the web on Apple's Maps.Apple.com website. Developers are able to link out to Maps on the web in their apps, so users can get driving directions and see location information.

Maps on the web is available in English at the current time, and it works with Safari and Chrome on Mac and iPad, and Chrome and Edge on Windows PCs. Apple plans to add support for additional languages, browsers, and platforms over time.

Apple Intelligence is still not available as of the fourth developer beta of iOS 18 this week, leading some to wonder if the features have been delayed. However, we have confirmed that Apple still plans to add some of the new Apple Intelligence features to an upcoming beta this summer. In other words, developers will be able to test the first Apple Intelligence features at some point before iOS 18 is widely released to the public.

Given that public betas of iOS are based on developer betas, Apple Intelligence will likely be added in an upcoming iOS 18 public beta version as well.

Apple in mid-June removed the "this summer" timeframe that initially appeared at the bottom of its Apple Intelligence page for developers, but as we stated above, there is no change in plans from what Apple announced at WWDC. The features will likely be added before the end of August, ahead of iOS 18 being widely released in September.

Apple Intelligence features will be available in U.S. English only at launch, and they will require an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max. The features will also be available on Mac and iPad models equipped with an M1 chip or newer.

Apple Intelligence will be able to summarize text, prioritize notifications and emails, and generate custom emoji and images, while the technology will also power a smarter version of Siri with richer language understanding, deeper per-app controls, on-screen awareness, and more. Apple said some of the features, along with support for additional languages and software platforms, will be added "over the course of the next year."

Even when iOS 18 is widely released in September, Apple said some of the Apple Intelligence features will still be considered a "preview" for all users. The full rollout of Apple Intelligence on the iPhone is expected to be completed in 2025.