Today marks the 17th anniversary of the late Steve Jobs unveiling the original iPhone at the Macworld Expo in San Francisco. While the device was significantly more advanced than any other smartphone on the market at the time, the iPhone was still missing some essential features that we take for granted today.
Below, we've put together a list of 10 hardware and software features that the original iPhone didn't have when it was introduced in January 2007.
Copy and Paste: It may seem hard to believe, but the ability to copy and paste text was not added to the iPhone until 2009.
Front Camera: While selfies are now ubiquitous, there was no front camera on the original iPhone. In fact, there was no front camera until the iPhone 4 launched in 2010 with new FaceTime video calling.
App Store: The original iPhone came with preinstalled apps like Phone, Weather, Notes, Calendar, Photos, and Calculator, but there was no official way to install native third-party apps until the App Store launched in July 2008. Developers were able to offer web-based apps, but they were more limited.
Video Recording: The original iPhone can only shoot photos, with video recording introduced on the iPhone 3GS in 2009.
Flashlight: With no LED flash on the original iPhone, there was no built-in flashlight. When the App Store launched, some flashlight apps were released that displayed a white screen at max brightness to mimic a flashlight.
Photo Messages: The original iPhone supported text messaging via SMS, but there was no ability to send photos. MMS capabilities were introduced with iPhone OS 3.0 in 2009, but only for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS.
GPS: While the original iPhone came with a Google Maps app preinstalled, there were no turn-by-turn directions, as the device did not have a GPS. Apple introduced a built-in GPS with the iPhone 3G in 2008.
Home Screen Wallpapers: It was not possible to set a custom Home Screen wallpaper on the iPhone until iOS 4 was released in 2010, and the software update did not support the original iPhone.
Retina Display: Introduced on the iPhone 4 in 2010, the Retina display featured four times as many pixels as the original iPhone and was the highest-resolution display for a smartphone ever at the time.
3G: The original iPhone's cellular connectivity was limited to EDGE (2G).
Apple released its AirTag item tracker in April 2021. The accessory has not received any hardware updates since, but there have been rumors about a new model.
Below, we recap rumors about when the second-generation AirTag might be released, as well as potential new features to expect.
Timing
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman both expect the next AirTag to be released in 2025.
In October 2023, 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.
"Apple considered launching its second-generation AirTags in 2024, but I'm now told new versions aren't likely to hit the market until 2025," he wrote.
Gurman expects the new AirTag to feature an upgraded wireless chip, but he did not elaborate on what this would mean. It is possible that the AirTag could be updated with the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip that debuted in all iPhone 15 models last year, which would pave the way for improved location accuracy for item tracking.
No design or price changes have been rumored so far. Read our AirTag 2 guide for more details.
Apple today seeded the third betas of upcoming iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the updates available a week after the release of the first iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 betas.
Registered developers are able to opt into the betas by opening up the Settings app, going to the Software Update section, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option, and toggling on the iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 Developer Beta. An Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.
iOS 17.3 introduces a Stolen Device Protection feature that limits access to your private information in case someone obtains both your iPhone and your passcode. When activated, it requires Face ID or Touch ID identity verification to do things like accessing passwords in iCloud Keychain, turning off Lost Mode, making purchases through Safari with saved payment credentials, and more.
There are also features that require verification and have a one-hour delay to access, such as changing an Apple ID passcode, an iPhone passcode, turning off Find My, and turning off Face ID. More details can be found in our article on Stolen Device Protection.
The update also adds collaborative Apple Music playlists, a feature that lets Apple Music subscribers share playlists with others to build shared song lists. Collaborative playlists are simple to use, can be shared with a link, and support emoji reactions.
Last week, Apple pulled the second betas of iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 after the updates caused devices to go into a perpetual boot loop. Apple did not re-release the second betas, but presumably the issue is fixed in the third betas.
Apple is expected to release iOS 17.3 later in January.
Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming macOS Sonoma 14.3 update to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after the release of the second macOS Sonoma 14.3 beta.
Registered developers can opt-in to the beta through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. Under Beta updates, toggle on the macOS Sonoma Developer Beta. Note that an Apple ID associated with an Apple Developer account is required to get the beta.
We don't yet know what features are included in macOS Sonoma 14.3, and there were no notable changes discovered in the first two betas, so we may not know what's new until the software comes out and is accompanied by release notes.
Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming watchOS 10.3 update to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming a week after the release of the second watchOS 10.3 beta.
To install the watchOS 10.3 update, developers will need to open the Apple Watch app, go to the Software Update section under "General" in Settings, and toggle on the watchOS 10 Developer Beta. An Apple ID linked to a developer account is required.
Once beta updates have been activated, watchOS 10.3 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.
There's no word yet on the new features that might be included in watchOS 10.3, and no notable new features were found in the first betas.
Apple's upcoming Vision Pro headset is equipped with 16GB of unified memory, according to files related to the device in Xcode 15.2.
Our finding in the latest version of Apple's app development tool confirms a June 2023 report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman that said the Vision Pro would be equipped with 16GB of RAM, and that is also the same amount of memory that was included in Vision Pro development kits distributed by Apple last year.
In a press release this week, Apple reiterated that the Vision Pro will be powered by its M2 chip for "powerful standalone performance," along with an all-new R1 chip that "processes input from 12 cameras, five sensors, and six microphones to ensure that content feels like it is appearing right in front of the user's eyes."
Apple's press release also confirmed that the Vision Pro will start at $3,499 in the U.S. with 256GB of storage, and this wording seems to imply that higher storage capacity options will also be available. It was reported last year that at least some of the Vision Pro developer kits were equipped with 1TB of storage.
Apple has yet to share full tech specs for the Vision Pro, which will be available to pre-order in the U.S. starting Friday, January 19 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time. The headset will launch there a few weeks later, on Friday, February 2. When it first announced the Vision Pro, Apple said the headset would launch in additional countries later this year.
Apple has a detailed plan for Apple Vision Pro reviews, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. YouTubers and members of the media selected for reviews will meet with Apple on January 16 for a hands-on experience, with a follow-up meeting to take place on January 23 to go over the device's features a second time.
Reviews are set to be published at the end of January, which is just ahead of when Apple plans to launch the Vision Pro.
It is no surprise that Apple plans to have a firm hold on the review process and the experience that reviewers undergo, as it has kept headsets provided to developers similarly locked down.
Apple plans to begin accepting pre-orders for the Vision Pro on Friday, January 19, ahead of when reviews are published. The Vision Pro will then launch on Friday, February 2, with Apple planning to provide in-store demonstrations starting on that day.
Satechi today introduced two new Qi2 charging options, including the 3-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wireless Charging Stand and 2-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wireless Charging Stand. With next-generation Qi2 charging technology, Satechi's chargers are able to charge MagSafe iPhones at up to 15W, the same as official MagSafe chargers from Apple.
The 3-in-1 stand from Satechi also includes a 5W Apple Watch charger and a 5W wireless charger that's designed for the AirPods, while the 2-in-1 stand has a spot for charging the AirPods. Both chargers feature a vegan leather base, an aluminum housing, and a soft silicone charging puck, and they are able to fold down for travel when not in use.
Satechi's 3-in-1 stand is able to provide fast-charging capabilities for the Apple Watch Series 7 and later, plus it comes with a 45W USB-C power adapter. Qi2 uses the same magnetic power profile as MagSafe, so these stands work like MagSafe stands without the 7.5W limitation of the prior Qi standard.
The 3-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wireless Charging Stand will be priced at $130, while the 2-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wireless Charging Stand will be priced at $80. Both chargers are set to launch in the second quarter of 2024.
Satechi today also announced the launch of the SM1 Slim Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard, the company's first mechanical keyboard option. It is compatible with the Mac, and it is priced at $100.
Amazon today has a pair of discounts on both models of the 15-inch M2 MacBook Air, thanks to a few on-page coupons found on their product pages. Many of the notebooks can be delivered as soon as January 13, although some models do have delayed shipping estimates ranging into late January.
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The 256GB 15-inch M2 MacBook Air is available for $1,049.99 in three colors, down from $1,299.00. There's a hefty on-page coupon worth around $152 that'll net you this second-best price, which is just about $50 higher than the previous record low price we saw over the holidays.
Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.
For more storage, Amazon has the 512GB 15-inch M2 MacBook Air for $1,249.99 in two colors, down from $1,499.00. You'll again need to clip the on-page coupon in order to see this discount, and this is another second-best price on the MacBook Air.
Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.
Amazon today announced Matter Casting, an interoperable rival to Apple's AirPlay feature, at CES 2024 (via Bloomberg).
Matter Casting will initially only support streaming content from Amazon's Prime Video app to Echo Show devices, but the feature will support Fire TV in the coming months. Later in the year, it will work across a range of other video services, including Plex, Starz, Pluto TV, Sling TV, and ZDF.
AirPlay allows Apple device users to wirelessly stream video from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to an Apple TV or another Mac, as well as stream audio from almost any Apple device to any HomePod, Apple TV, or compatible third-party speaker. Google has a similar equivalent for its Chromecast devices called Google Cast. Both AirPlay and Google Cast are proprietary technologies, so Amazon's new feature is designed to be interoperable across platforms.
Apple and Google worked with Amazon on the Matter home standard, but they have not yet announced any plans to support Matter Casting and could choose to remain uninvolved. Nevertheless, it is clearly Amazon's wish to make video streaming apps and TV accessories work together more seamlessly, regardless of their platform.
Popular smart lighting company Nanoleaf today announced the launch of several new Matter-enabled lighting options, including its first outdoor lights. The company is also debuting a new music feature and accepting pre-orders for the Nanoleaf Skylight.
Nanoleaf's Matter-enabled lights include the Smart Multicolor Lightstrip, the Smart Multicolor Outdoor String Lights, and the Smart Multicolor Permanent Outdoor Lights. The Outdoor String Lights feature large bulbs for decorating a front entryway, patio, or deck, while the permanent lights are designed to be installed under the eaves of a house in lieu of holiday string lights.
The Matter lights from Nanoleaf are HomeKit compatible and can be controlled using the Nanoleaf app, the Home app, or Siri voice commands. They support more than 16 million colors and several shades of white, and can be used with all of the Nanoleaf lighting scenes and app customization features.
To go along with the lights, Nanoleaf announced new Orchestrator software for the Nanoleaf Desktop App, which will use real-time music analysis to create light shows that match with the beat. Orchestrator is able to connect directly with the sound source of a computer for a more accurate real-time audio visual experience.
Compared to the Rhythm feature that reacts to sound, Orchestrator is designed to react to music. It can separate beats, melodies, and audio spectrum, timing the light activation to the songs that are playing.
Both the new Matter-enabled lights and the Orchestrator will be available in the spring, but Nanoleaf is accepting pre-orders for the Skylight first announced at CES 2023. The Skylight is a square-shaped modular ceiling light panel setup that is hardwired and supports up to 100 squares.
Nanoleaf's Skylight offers millions of color options like other Nanoleaf panels, and it can be controlled via the Nanoleaf app and the Home app. There are special scenes like Gentle Rain and Sun Shower, plus support for the Rhythm Music Visualizer. Each panel offers 1400 lumens of light.
The Nanoleaf Skylight can be pre-ordered from the Nanoleaf website for $250 for three panels, with an additional panel expansion pack available for $70.
Apple Music Classical will be available in China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao starting January 24, according to a post from Apple on X, formerly known as Twitter. The app can be pre-ordered now on the App Store in these regions.
Apple Music Classical first launched in most other countries last March, offering Apple Music subscribers access to over five million classical music tracks at no additional cost. The app features advanced search functionality, exclusive artwork, extensive metadata, curated listening recommendations, and more.
The app is available on the iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. It is built upon Primephonic, a classical music streaming service acquired by Apple in 2021.
In the U.S., a standard Apple Music subscription costs $10.99 per month.
Images of an Alpine Loop prototype designed for a black Apple Watch Ultra model today surfaced online, supporting rumors that Apple had plans to release a darker version of the device last year.
Prior to the release of the Apple Watch Ultra 2, multiple rumors suggested that Apple had plans to release a new darker color option that was originally tested for the previous model but ultimately canceled. When the device was announced in September 2023, it continued to only be available in the same natural titanium color as the first-generation model.
Now, further indication has emerged that Apple had plans to release a darker color option. The latest images, shared by "DongleBookPro" on X, show a blue Alpine Loop prototype with an anodized black titanium hook and lugs. The released version of the Alpine Loop has natural titanium trim to match the Apple Watch Ultra's casing.
Apple released the blue version of the Alpine Loop alongside the Apple Watch Ultra 2, supporting previous indications that the company had concrete plans to release the Apple Watch Ultra 2 with a black color option. In November, documents filed with the United States Federal Communications Commission revealed a black Apple Watch Ultra with a matching dark ceramic back, cementing the validity of earlier rumors.
The reason for Apple's decision to cancel the new colorway is unknown, but there is a chance that the company deemed the finish insufficiently durable for a device focused on withstanding extreme challenges. There have not yet been any rumors to suggest that Apple plans to revive the black colorway for the third-generation version of the device, but it could still be a possibility given how far developed the darker finish was for the current model prior to its release.
At CES 2024 this week, accessory company Alogic is launching several new products in the display and charging categories, with both lineups offering some innovative features.
First, Alogic's new Matrix lineup will offer an array of wireless chargers and power banks such as the Matrix Ultimate that I've had a chance to try out.
The Matrix Ultimate is a 3-in-1 folding stand with an integrated power bank. In stand mode, it's a fairly typical 3-in-1 charger, with an official MagSafe charging pad for your phone plus an elevated Apple Watch charger on behind the device and a spot on the rear portion of the base for AirPods or another Qi device.
The AirPods charging spot is unfortunately not magnetic, so you'll need to manually ensure your AirPods are properly aligned for charging, but it seems pretty forgiving on the placement and with supported AirPods you can also use the magnetic Apple Watch charger on the stand.
Beyond being a typical 3-in-1 charger, the Matrix Ultimate has a few tricks up its sleeve. First, the MagSafe charging pad is actually part of a 5,000 mAh power bank that slides into the stand where it supports the phone and receives fixed power from the base unit. Even in power bank mode, it still supports 15-watt MagSafe charging.
The power bank is fairly compact, but it's a little thicker than some other 5,000 mAh options on the market and only the MagSafe pad portion of it sits flush against the back of the iPhone, so it will pop loose from the phone if you press the lower portion of the power bank toward the phone. As a result, this isn't the type of magnetic power bank I would want to leave attached to my phone throughout the day, but for periodic charging while in a fixed location it would be perfectly fine.
In addition to the removable power bank, the Matrix Ultimate also features a removable Apple Watch charging puck that connects to the body of the stand via USB-C. The puck supports Apple Watch fast charging, and the removable design gives you the flexibility to take just the Apple Watch charger with you depending on what you need. You can then just plug it directly into a power adapter, a computer USB port, or even the USB-C port on the Matrix Ultimate power bank in order to recharge your watch.
The third trick up the Matrix Ultimate's sleeve is that the whole things folds down for travel and can be stored in a felt travel case alongside the provided USB-C to USB-C cable and 30-watt power adapter with folding prongs in the U.S. The whole thing remains a bit on the bulky side due in part to the hardware needed for the removable power bank, but it should still pack easily in most computer bags, backpacks, or suitcases.
The Matrix Ultimate is largely constructed of a matte white plastic with a shiny chrome-colored hinge between the stand and base, though this is essentially hidden unless the stand is viewed from the rear. It's priced at $169.99 in the U.S. and roughly equivalent amounts in the UK, EU, and Australia. A multi-country model including a 35-watt adapter with plugs for the US, UK, EU, and Australia will be $10 more. Alogic currently has a sale going that knocks 20% off of those prices with coupon code CS20, bringing the U.S. model down to $136.00.
Second, the company is expanding its line of Clarity displays to include a trio of 32-inch models. Just like with the 27-inch Clarity displays released last year, the 32-inch options include a base model, a middle-tier model with a motorized retractable 8-megapixel webcam, and a high-end model with both webcam and touchscreen support.
All three displays offer 4K resolution at 60 Hz, which still looks decent at reasonably scaled desktop sizes, but you won't get the true Retina quality you see on higher-density displays like 27-inch 5K displays and you won't get the benefit of higher refresh rates.
The 32-inch models all provide up to 65-watts of passthrough power via USB-C to keep your laptop charged, which should be sufficient for most users, although the most powerful MacBook Pro models could draw more than that under heavy load.
All three models also have a small USB hub on the rear of the display with a pair of USB-A ports (5 Gbps and 7.5 watts) plus a 3.5mm combo audio jack. If you want or need to use something other than USB-C, the display also includes a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports and a DisplayPort 1.4 port.
The included stand on all Clarity Max models supports tilt and height adjustments, as well as the ability to pivot the display to portrait mode. The display can also be used with 100x100 VESA mounts.
I've had a brief opportunity to try out the high-end Clarity Max Touch model, and my impressions are very similar to those from the corresponding 27-inch model, just with a bigger display. The touchscreen functionality is highly customizable on a per-app basis with the system able to recognize several different gestures, which is fantastic.
I still don't see myself using the touchscreen capabilities (which can be used with fingers or a capacitive stylus, but not an Apple Pencil) on a full-time basis, but especially in a multi-monitor setup it can be handy to be able to quickly tap on the screen rather than having to move a mouse cursor across multiple displays.
The retractable webcam offers some nice peace of mind, as once it's tucked away you can be sure that it's not being used to surreptitiously monitor you. And at 8 megapixels, it offers solid quality better than many other built-in webcams found on displays, although it doesn't match what you get when using an iPhone via Continuity Camera.
The stand is a high-quality two-piece aluminum design that provides very good stability and smooth adjustments, plus a passthrough to help with cable management. The display itself is constructed of a silver plastic shell on the back with nearly edge-to-edge glass on front. There are definite black bezels on all four sides under the glass, with the bottom being somewhat wider than the other three.
Note: Alogic provided MacRumors with the Clarity Max Touch display and the Matrix Ultimate for the purpose of this hands-on coverage. No other compensation was received. MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Alogic. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Apple is asking developers to avoid mention of "AR" and "VR," as well as the Vision Pro as a generic "headset," when listing their apps on the visionOS App Store.
Apple's developer website now features new requirements for Vision Pro apps (via 9to5Mac), including how to appropriately list their apps on the visionOS App Store. Instructions about how developers should describe their apps include specific prohibition of the terms augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), extended reality (XR), or mixed reality (MR).
Instead, developers should adopt the "spatial computing" phrasing that Apple has touted since the Vision Pro's announcement in June last year. The push is likely part of Apple's continued effort to disassociate the Vision Pro headset from other products in the space from the likes of Meta and forge its own path in the minds of customers.
Spatial computing: Refer to your app as a spatial computing app. Don't describe your app experience as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), extended reality (XR), or mixed reality (MR).
Similarly, Apple requests that app developers do not refer to the Vision Pro generically as a "headset."
Apple Vision Pro: Always typeset Apple Vision Pro as three words with an uppercase A, V, and P followed by lowercase letters. Don't break Apple Vision Pro over two lines. Don't use the article the before Apple Vision Pro. Apple Vision Pro apps are available on the App Store or can be downloaded from the App Store. It's acceptable to say Name of app for Apple Vision Pro when your promotion is focused on features and benefits related to Apple Vision Pro. Don't refer to Apple Vision Pro generically as a "headset." The phrase "Apple Vision Pro" can't be included in your app name, but it can be included in your app description.
Apple is also continuing to change mentions of "Apple Vision Pro" to "Apple Vision" throughout its beta cycle. For example, Apple now refers to "Mac, iPad, Apple Vision apps" instead of "Mac, iPad, Apple Vision Pro apps." Apple's website features a "Vision" product tab instead of a "Vision Pro" tab, but the gradual shift toward "Apple Vision" branding appears to add credence to the idea of Apple building a "Vision" product line.
The Vision Pro is positioned as a high-end device with a $3,499 price tag, but there have been a multitude of rumors about Apple's plans to release a cheaper headset in the future. Such a device would make sense as an "Apple Vision" headset, just as the iPad is to the iPad Pro or the HomePod is to the HomePod mini.
Apple on Monday announced it would begin accepting pre-orders for its new Vision Pro headset on January 19, with an official launch in the U.S. to follow on February 2. But if you're in the market for one, you may have to move fast, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
"Thanks to the demand from Apple's core fans and heavy users, the Vision Pro should sell out soon after it is available for pre-order or sale, resulting in a longer shipping time," said Kuo in his latest report covering Apple's announcement, which the analyst accurately predicted ahead of time.
"However, whether the demand for Vision Pro can be sustained after the novelty wears off is even more important, depending on whether Vision Pro's product positioning and key applications are clear and correct," added the analyst.
Kuo noted that Apple may need to reveal more details about the headset in the run-up to pre-order or launch to help maintain sales momentum and attract developers. Currently, ZEISS lens inserts starting at $99 are the sole other optional purchase for the Vision Pro headset that Apple has announced.
Beyond that, Apple has said only that the Vision Pro will be available "starting at $3,499 with 256GB of storage," suggesting customers will be offered a series of configuration options at increasing price points.
Included with the Vision Pro headset is a Solo Knit Band, a Dual Loop Band, a Light Seal, two Light Seal Cushions, a cover for the front of the device, a polishing cloth, battery unit, USB-C charging cable, and USB-C power adapter. Despite these details, other questions remain.
For example, Apple previously said the Vision Pro could be used indefinitely if the battery was itself plugged into an external power source, but that text has since been removed from the Vision Pro product page. Apple will likely offer additional battery units for purchase, but even this has not yet been officially confirmed by the company.
Apple is expected to make fewer than 400,000 units in 2024, with previous reports suggesting that Apple has been forced to make "drastic cuts" to its production forecasts because of difficulties with manufacturing.
Apple plans to start offering Vision Pro demonstrations at Apple retail stores in the U.S. on the official launch date of the device, Friday, February 2.
Apple's AirDrop feature has reportedly been cracked by a Chinese state-backed institution, allowing authorities to identify senders who share "undesirable content" over the peer-to-peer wireless protocol (via Bloomberg).
AirDrop is Apple's ad-hoc service that lets users discover nearby Macs and iOS devices and securely transfer files between them over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Users can send and receive photos, videos, documents, contacts, passwords and anything else that can be transferred from a Share Sheet.
Apple advertises the protocol as secure because the wireless connection uses Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption, but the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Justice (BMBJ) says it has devised a way to bypass the protocol's encryption and reveal identifying information.
According to the BMBJ's website, iPhone device logs were analyzed to create a "rainbow table" which allowed investigators to convert hidden hash values into the original text and correlate the phone numbers and email accounts of AirDrop content senders.
The "technological breakthrough" has successfully helped the public security authorities identify a number of criminal suspects, who use the AirDrop function to spread illegal content, the BMBJ added.
"It improves the efficiency and accuracy of case-solving and prevents the spread of inappropriate remarks as well as potential bad influences," the bureau added.
It is not known if the security flaw in the AirDrop protocol has been exploited by a government agency before now, but it is not the first time a flaw has been discovered. In April 2021, German researchers found that the mutual authentication mechanism that confirms both the receiver and sender are on each other's address book could be used to expose private information. According to the researchers, Apple was informed of the flaw in May of 2019, but did not fix it.
Apple limited the use of the AirDrop on devices in China in November 2022, after anti-government activists used the function to spread political leaflets. AirDrop became restricted by default to Contacts Only, and the option to turn on AirDrop for "Everyone" was limited to 10 minutes.
With the launch of iOS 16.2, Apple expanded the AirDrop limitation it introduced in China to all users globally, but Apple said that the feature was actually introduced in an effort to cut down on spam content spread in crowded areas like malls and airports.
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 was granted 2,536 patents in the United States last year, surpassed by only six other companies, IFI Claims reports.
In its rankings of the top 50 U.S. patent assignees in 2023, IFI Claims Patent Services shows that Apple was granted 251 more patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2023 compared to the previous year, an 11% increase. This moved the company one place up the annual patent rankings.
Apple's number of granted patents was surpassed by Samsung Electronics, Qualcomm, TSMC, IBM, Canon, and Samsung Display. Samsung Electronics again dwarfed the other top companies, with 6,165 patents granted. Apple outranked companies including LG, Micron, Intel, Huawei, Toyota, Google, Microsoft, BOE, and Amazon. Out of IFI's "Magnificent Seven" technology companies, encompassing Google, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla, Apple was the clear leader for new patents in 2023.
IFI Claims' 2023 Global 250 rankings reveal the world's largest patent holders by looking at all of the patents currently held by companies. In these rankings, Apple takes 51st place with 21,407 active patents. Panasonic is currently the world leader for active patents, with 94,341 in total, edging out Samsung who has 92,593 patents.
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