Following nearly two years of rumors about a fourth-generation iPhone SE, The Information today reported that Apple suppliers are finally planning to begin ramping up mass production of the device in October of this year.
If accurate, that timeframe would mean that the next iPhone SE would not be announced alongside the iPhone 16 series in September, as expected. Instead, the report speculates that the device could be released ahead of the Lunar New Year in January 2025. However, all three existing iPhone SE models were announced in March over the years, so a March 2025 release seems quite possible too.
Rumored features for the fourth-generation iPhone SE include a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, an Action button, and a USB-C port. The device is expected to be similar to the base iPhone 14, although reports said it would have only a single rear camera, and it might share the iPhone 16's rear-panel manufacturing process.
We recently published an iPhone SE 4 rumor recap with all potential features and other details.
Apple released the fourth beta of iOS 18 today, introducing small changes to a number of features throughout the operating system. There are no big additions in this beta, but Apple is continuing to refine existing settings and design choices.
Apple plans to continue updating iOS 18 over the next few months, with the update set to be released this fall. We've rounded up all of the changes that we've found in iOS 18 beta 4 so far.
CarPlay Wallpapers
Apple added new Light Mode and Dark Mode wallpaper options for CarPlay, and the new wallpaper mirrors the wallpapers that have been added on the iPhone.
Apple has added a new way to access iCloud settings in the Settings app. There's now an iCloud option paired with App Store, Game Center, and Wallet. iCloud settings can still be accessed by tapping on your Apple Account and choosing iCloud from that interface.
Camera Controls
In the Camera section of the Settings app, there is a new "Controls Menu" option under Preserve Settings. The Controls Menu preserves the previously used camera tool when expanding the controls menu rather than showing the full list of camera control options when using the Camera app.
Hidden Folder
Apple has changed the design of the Hidden folder in the App Library. Rather than showing an icon of an eye with a line through it, it is now blanked out app squares, which makes it stand out less.
Dark Mode/Light Mode Icons
The Dark Mode and Light Mode icons are now appropriately synced to the Light and Dark Mode settings on the iPhone when you use the "Automatic" setting under Customize.
With Automatic turned on, the icons now turn dark when Dark Mode is activated and light when Dark Mode is off. This wasn't working in prior betas.
Stocks Icon
Apple tweaked the design of the Stocks app icon. The lines are subtler, and there is no longer a white haze over the bottom part of the icon.
iPhone Mirroring
This is a macOS Sequoia feature more than an iOS 18 feature, but when using iPhone Mirroring with macOS Sequoia beta 4, you can change the size of the iPhone window on your Mac's display.
Control Center
There's a new Control Center toggle for Bluetooth, but it is not yet working. Apple also added a Silent Mode/Mute toggle and an Accessibility Eye Mirroring option.
The Open Music Control Center option has been removed.
These changes are also applicable to the Lock Screen Controls.
AssistiveTouch
There are new Type to Siri and Apple Watch Mirroring options available for AssistiveTouch.
Apple Intelligence
There are additional references to Apple Intelligence features, which suggests Apple is continuing to prepare to implement Apple Intelligence in the beta in the not too distant future.
More New Changes
Know of a new feature in iOS 18 beta 4 that we left out? Let us know in the comments below.
When you connect your iPhone to your Mac, you can now make some changes to the window size, something that wasn't an option before. You can make the window bigger or smaller, changing the amount of screen space that it takes up on the Mac desktop.
There are only three total sizes, including actual size, which is the size of your iPhone's display, smaller, and larger.
The size options can be accessed by launching the iPhone Mirroring app, connecting to an iPhone, and then choosing your size from the View menu. There is no option to drag the window to resize, and you have to use the View options.
iPhone Mirroring is a feature that is designed to allow you to control your iPhone from your Mac, interacting with apps and receiving notifications while your iPhone remains locked and tucked away.
Apple today released the release candidate version of an upcoming visionOS 1.3 update to developers, allowing them to test new features ahead of the software seeing a public launch. The visionOS 1.3 RC comes a week after the release of the fourth beta, and it is the final version of visionOS that Apple will release to the public.
The visionOS beta can be downloaded by going to the Settings app on the device and toggling on developer betas. A registered developer account is required, and Apple recommends making a backup before installing new software.
Apple may make further improvements to Personas, EyeSight, and other features with visionOS 1.3, as well as implement additional bug fixes. No new features have been found in the visionOS 1.3 beta so far.
Apple today seeded the fourth beta of upcoming an upcoming macOS 15 Sequoia update to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after the release of the third 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 includes iPhone Mirroring, which allows you to control your locked iPhone from your Mac. You can open and use iPhone apps, interact with notifications, and drag and drop files between your iPhone and Mac and vice versa.
There are new options for window tiling, and dragging a window to the edge of the display will suggest a tiled location to make it easier to use multiple apps at once. Apple is adding a Passwords app for managing passwords, Safari can summarize websites and surface key information, and Notes has support for live audio transcription and math equations.
All of the Apple Intelligence features coming to iOS 18 will also be available in macOS Sequoia, but Apple does not plan to add these until later in the beta testing process. Apple Intelligence includes Writing Tools for editing, proofreading, and summarizing text in apps, and an Image Playground allows for AI images to be created from prompts.
Custom emoji or "Genmoji" can be created for any situation and used just like emoji, and Siri is getting much smarter. Siri will be able to do more in apps and will better understand requests, especially those made in regard to on-screen content.
macOS Sequoia is available to developers right now, but Apple will release a public beta later this month.
Apple today seeded the fourth betas of upcoming iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after the release of the third 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 18/iPadOS 18 Developer Beta setting. Note that an Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.
iOS 18 introduces Apple Intelligence, a set of AI features that are built deeply into the operating system. Apple Intelligence won't be coming until later in the beta testing process, but it includes features for refining and editing writing, generating images and emoji, and most notably, improving Siri and search. Siri is gaining a better understanding of natural language, improved contextual awareness, and the personal assistant will integrate with ChatGPT to answer more complex queries.
Apple Intelligence features are limited to the iPhone 15 Pro models and iPads with an M-series chip, but there are a number of other features that are coming. Apple is allowing users to rearrange Home screen apps to have open spaces, plus there's a dark mode for app icons and tinting options.
The Control Center is customizable and third-party developers can add controls for their apps, with the Lock Screen Flashlight and Camera icons able to be replaced or removed. Messages is gaining Rich Communication Services support to improve conversations with Android users, the option to schedule texts to be sent later, new text effects, messages over satellite when there's no cellular, and the option to use any emoji for Tapback responses.
There's a dedicated Passwords app for logins, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes, and there's now an option to lock and hide apps, which means they can't be opened without secondary Face ID or Touch ID authentication even when your phone is unlocked.
Safari has a highlights feature that summarizes articles and surfaces key information on websites, the Photos app interface has been overhauled, and there's a new Tap to Cash feature for privately and securely transferring money using Apple Cash. Other features include equation solving and voice memo transcription in Notes, a game mode for improving game performance, and an option to respond to Siri on AirPods with head gestures.
iOS 18 is only available to registered developers at the current time, but Apple plans to make a public beta later this month. iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 will see a public launch this fall.
Apple today seeded the release candidate version of an upcoming macOS Sonoma 14.6 update to developers, with the software coming a week after Apple released the fourth beta. The RC represents the final version of macOS 14.6 that will see a public launch provided there are no bugs discovered.
Registered developers can opt-in to the beta through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. Note that an Apple ID associated with an Apple Developer account is required to get the beta.
We don't yet know what might be included in macOS Sonoma 14.6, and no new features have been discovered in the betas so far. macOS Sonoma 14.6 is likely to see a release next week.
Apple today released the fourth beta of an upcoming visionOS 2 update to developers, with the fourth beta coming two weeks after the third 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.
visionOS 2 is able to take the depth information from 2D photos and turn them into 3D photos using advanced machine learning. Apple says that the feature is meant to add depth to photos to make memories more immersive.
There are new hand gestures for activating the Home View and Control Center, and the Home View is also now customizable with apps able to be rearranged. Travel Mode now includes support for trains, and Guest User profiles are now saved for 30 days so guests don't have to do the setup process every time they try out the headset.
Later in the year, Mac Virtual Display will support higher resolution and larger sized virtual displays, which Apple says will be equivalent to two 4K monitors side by side. With an AirPlay update, the Vision Pro can serve as an AirPlay receiver, so content from the iPhone, iPad, or Mac can be shared to the headset.
The Mindfulness app can track and respond to breathing patterns using the camera for an improved meditation experience, and the Vision Pro supports Bluetooth mice with visionOS 2.
Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming watchOS 11 update to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming a week after the third beta was released.
To install the watchOS 11 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 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.
watchOS 11 introduces a new Vitals app that aggregates health metrics collected during sleep like heart rate and respiratory rate, providing day-to-day health insights to track whether something has changed. There's also a Training Load feature for monitoring the intensity of workouts and how that impacts the body over time.
The Smart Stack has been updated with new widgets and support for Live Activities and Translate, plus it is better able to suggest widgets based on time and daily routine. The Photos watch face includes suggestions for the best images to use, and the Check In safety feature now works with Workouts.
Activity Rings can be customized to change the goals for each day, and there is an option to pause for rest days or when ill without losing an activity streak. Double Tap now works for navigating through apps with one hand, and Apple Maps lets users create their own walking and hiking routes.
Apple today seeded iOS 17.6 and iPadOS 17.6 release candidates to developers for testing purposes, with software coming a week after the fourth iOS and iPadOS 17.6 betas were released. The RC versions are the final versions of iOS 17.6 and iPadOS 17.6 that will see a public launch in the near future.
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.
The features Apple promised for iOS 17 have all been implemented, so it is not clear what will be included in iOS 17.6, and no major new additions were discovered in the betas. Apple's release notes suggest that the update provides unspecified bug fixes and security updates.
This update provides important bug fixes and security updates and is recommended for all users.
Apple today seeded the fourth beta of the upcoming tvOS 18 refresh to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming two weeks after the third beta came out.
Registered developers are able to download the tvOS 18 update by opting in to the beta through the Settings app on the Apple TV. A registered developer account is required.
tvOS 18 adds an InSight feature to the TV app, and it is able to provide real-time information about actors, music, and more in Apple TV+ shows and music. Enhanced Dialogue has been refined with machine learning and computational audio so it is better able to boost vocal clarity over background noise and music, plus it is now available on built-in TV speakers, AirPods, and other Bluetooth devices.
Subtitles will now show up automatically when relevant, such as when the TV's volume is muted, a show or movie is rewound, or when the language of a show doesn't match the device language.
Other new features include 21:9 aspect ratio support for projectors, new screen savers and improved controls for swapping screen savers, and support for Live Captions during FaceTime calls through an iPhone or iPad.
Apple today seeded the release candidate version of an upcoming watchOS 10.6 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new beta coming a week after the release of the fourth beta. The RC represents the final version of watchOS 10.6 that will be released to the public if no additional bugs are found.
To install the watchOS 10.6 update, developers 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 10.6 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.
We don't yet know what's included in watchOS 10.6, and with Apple's focus shifting to watchOS 11, it likely features bug fixes and other minor improvements.
Apple today seeded the release candidate version of an upcoming tvOS 17.6 to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming a week after the release of the fourth beta. The RC marks the final version of tvOS 17.6 that will see a public release in the near future.
Registered developers are able to download the tvOS 17.6 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 yet know what's included in tvOS 17.6.
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 is planning to release at least one iPhone 17 model next year with mechanical aperture, according to a report published today by The Information.
The mechanical system would allow users to adjust the size of the iPhone 17's aperture, which refers to the opening of the camera lens through which light enters. All existing iPhone camera lenses have fixed apertures, but some Android smartphones have offered variable aperture over the years, such as Samsung's Galaxy S9 series.
Apple is expected to release the iPhone 17 series in September 2025, and it is possible that mechanical aperture will be limited to the rumored high-end "iPhone 17 Ultra" model (dubbed "iPhone 17 Slim" for now). With the devices still being over a year away, however, some of Apple's alleged camera-related plans could change.
Lux today released the first update to its pro video recording app Kino for the iPhone, with a handful of new features and changes.
Kino version 1.1 offers precise manual or preset-based white balance control, three new pro color grades for video, a tap-to-focus option that works alongside manual focus, new tutorial videos, and an improved first-time user experience.
The update to Kino is rolling out on the App Store today. The app is 50% off for the next week, with U.S. pricing now set at $9.99, down from $19.99.
Lux, co-founded by Sebastiaan de With, is the developer of the popular third-party camera app Halide for the iPhone and iPad. Kino was first released in late May, with more details about the app outlined in our initial coverage of it.
The report claims the device would feature a "clamshell" design, similar to Samsung's line of Galaxy Z Flip smartphones. Apple is said to have contacted suppliers in Asia in recent months about making components for the device.
Rumors about a foldable iPhone have circulated for many years, but the report claims that Apple is finally moving forward with the project. The device has allegedly been given a codename of "V68" inside Apple, suggesting that work is ramping up.
Apple is said to have struggled to achieve its goal of eliminating a visible crease in the area where the iPhone's screen would fold, but this obstacle could eventually be overcome. However, there is of course a possibility that Apple decides not to release a foldable iPhone, should the device fail to meet the company's high quality standards.
In any case, it appears that a foldable iPhone is still at least a few years away.
Adobe this week is offering first-time subscribers of the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps plan a 40 percent discount on the service. With this sale, you'll pay $35.99 per month for the plan, down from $59.99 per month, and this price will last through your first year.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Adobe. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
You can also choose to pay for the entire year upfront at the price of $395.93 per year, down from $659.88 per year. After your first year ends, your subscription will automatically renew at the standard rate unless you change or cancel the subscription. This sale ends August 4.
When signing up for Creative Cloud All Apps, you gain access to more than 20 creative apps, including Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, InDesign, and Acrobat. You also get templates, cloud storage, and thousands of Adobe Fonts.
These programs can be subscribed to individually as well for a monthly fee, but the new offer is only for Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps. Adobe is not discounting individual services. Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.
Last year, ESR was one of the first companies to launch a MagSafe wallet accessory with full support for Apple's Find My network, using an on-board rechargeable module to tap into the network of hundreds of millions of Apple devices to help you keep tabs on your wallet. ESR has returned today with a new crowdfunding campaign for what it says is the first full-fledged wallet with integrated Find My support.
Available in seven color options, ESR's Geo Wallet is a traditional bifold wallet with a thin Find My module that allows you to keep track of your wallet's real-time location via the Items tab in Apple's Find My app. While some wallet makers have introduced wallets that allow you to attach an AirTag and other accessory companies have launched thin card-style Find My trackers, ESR appears to be the first to put the tracker right into the wallet itself, helping to reduce weight and bulk.
ESR says the battery for the Find My module in the Geo Wallet lasts up to five months, and with a magnetic charging cable the battery can be recharged in just two hours.
With windowed slots for two ID cards, four additional slots for bank or membership cards, and a divided compartment for organizing your cash, the Geo Wallet also offer RFID-blocking technology to help keep your cards safe.
The Geo Wallet is available in seven colors: carbon fiber, opal gray, elephant gray, twilight black, cocoa, aged leather, and tangerine.
As with most crowdfunding campaigns, there are multiple reward tiers available with varying pricing. The $38 Super Early Bird tier has already sold out, but there are still some slots left in the $41 Early Bird tier, and if you miss out on those it jumps to $44 at the Kickstarter Special tier. Multipacks are also available.
As a Kickstarter campaign, the Geo Wallet is not available for immediate delivery, but ESR is aiming to start production in August and begin shipping in January, and the company has a track record of delivering on its campaigns.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Kickstarter/ESR. 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 Adobe. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
