MacRumors

Apple's standard AirPods now offer active noise cancellation for an additional $50, bringing them closer in terms of features to the AirPods Pro than ever before, so which should you choose?

Almost three years after the launch of the first-generation AirPods Pro, Apple unveiled the second-generation model alongside the iPhone 14 lineup. Although the second-generation AirPods Pro feature the same design as their predecessor, they improve on features like Active Noise Cancellation, in-ear detection, and battery life, while introducing new functionality like Adaptive Transparency, volume adjustment touch controls, and precision finding.

Apple recently introduced a major update for its standard AirPods, with the earbuds gaining a more refined design for improved comfort, H2 chip, dust, sweat, and water resistance, 5GHz connectivity, a vent system for pressure equalization, Personalized Volume, Voice Isolation, a USB-C port, and "Siri" command support – just like the AirPods Pro 2. For an additional $50, the similarities with the AirPods Pro go even further with active noise cancellation, Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, support for Apple Watch chargers, and a speaker in the case for Find My.

Should you consider purchasing one of the fourth-generation AirPods models, or do you need the higher-end AirPods Pro, which sell for $249? Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these sets of AirPods is best for you.

AirPods (Fourth-Generation, 2024)	AirPods With ANC (Fourth-Generation, 2024)	AirPods Pro (Second-Generation, 2022)
Open-ear fit	Open-ear fit	In-ear fit with silicone ear tips (four size options)
Optical in-ear sensors	Optical in-ear sensors	Skin-detect sensors
Force sensor controls	Force sensor controls	Force sensor and touch controls for volume adjustment
	Active noise cancellation	Up to 2x more effective active noise cancellation
	Transparency mode	Transparency mode
	Adaptive Audio	Adaptive Audio
	Conversation Awareness	Conversation Awareness
		Conversation Boost
		Loud Sound Reduction
		Hearing Protection (coming fall 2024)
		Hearing Test (coming fall 2024)
		Hearing Aid (coming fall 2024)
Up to five hours of listening time with a single charge	Up to five hours of listening time with a single charge	Up to six hours of listening time on a single charge
Compact charging case	Compact charging case	Wider charging case
		Lanyard loop
Capacitive pairing button	Capacitive pairing button	Physical pairing button
	Speaker in charging case for ‌Find My‌	Speaker in charging case for ‌Find My‌
		U1 chip for Precision Finding
Charging Case compatible with USB-C only	Charging Case compatible with Apple Watch chargers, Qi wireless charging mats, and USB-C	Charging Case compatible with MagSafe chargers, Apple Watch chargers, Qi wireless charging mats, and USB-C
$129	$179	$249

The standard AirPods are now very similar to the AirPods Pro, offering almost all of the same key features at a lower price point. As a result, the fourth-generation AirPods should be the default choice for most prospective buyers. If you also have AirPods Max, which already offer ANC, and are looking for an additional pair of headphones to use while working out or on the go, the fourth-generation AirPods are also a good choice.

You should only buy the AirPods Pro if you are happy with its in-ear fit, which provides better sound quality and active noise cancellation, but can be somewhat uncomfortable for prolonger periods of time. While the fourth-generation AirPods do now offer ANC, it is not as effective as that of the AirPods Pro due to the lack of an in-ear fit, so if noice cancellation is your main priority, the AirPods Pro 2 are still the best choice.

In addition to better sound quality and ANC, the AirPods Pro 2 also offer slightly longer battery life, Conversation Boost, touch controls for volume, ‌MagSafe‌ charger compatibility, Precision Finding with the U1 chip, and a lanyard loop, as well as hearing protection, testing, and aid features via an upcoming software update. Many users will be able to justify the additional $70 to get the AirPods Pro as a result. Nevertheless, the fourth-generation AirPods are still a solid option for most average customers and will be better for those who do not like the AirPods Pro's in-ear silicone tips.

AirPods Pro frequently see hefty discounts on Amazon and other third-party retailers, so stepping up to the Pro version may be more worth it if you can take advantage of one of those deals. The standard AirPods also often see solid discounts, so it is always worth seeking the best price using our Deals roundup.

Amazon's second Prime Day of the year ends later today, and a few retailers have been hosting their own 48-hour discount events to compete with Prime Day. Below we've collected deals from Best Buy and Samsung, including some of the best prices of the year on popular monitors and other products. Similar to Prime Day, both of these sales are planned to end later tonight.

Best Buy

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

At Best Buy, you'll find many of Amazon's Prime Day discounts being matched for all shoppers. This includes the 9th generation iPad, M2 and M3 MacBook Air, M3 MacBook Pro, AirPods Max (Lightning), and more. We've collected these deals in the list below, but be sure to check out the full sitewide sale at Best Buy before it ends later today.

• 9th gen iPad (64GB Wi-Fi) - $199.99 ($130 off)
• AirPods Max (Lightning) - $399.99 ($150 off)
• 13-inch M2 MacBook Air (256GB) - $749.00 ($250 off)
• 13-inch M3 MacBook Air (256GB) - $849.00 ($250 off)
• 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro (512GB) - $1,299.00 ($300 off)

Best Buy also has big discounts across the Beats headphones lineup, with record low prices on the Beats Studio Pro at $169.99 ($180 off), Beats Studio Buds at $79.99 ($70 off), Beats Solo 4 at $99.99 ($100 off), and Beats Fit Pro at $149.99 ($50 off). In total, you can get up to $180 off Beats headphones during the 48-hour sale.

Besides the Apple deals, Best Buy's sale features discounts on TVs, laptops, video games, appliances, smartphones, sound bars, Bluetooth speakers, and much more.

Samsung

Samsung's Prime Day-like sale is offering deals on everything from robot vacuums to Galaxy smartphones and The Frame TVs. There are a few monitor deals during this event as well, but the best sales on Samsung's most popular monitors are still available on Amazon.

Monitors

• 34-inch Odyssey Curved Gaming Monitor - $309.99, down from $549.99
• 49-inch Odyssey G9 Curved Gaming Monitor - $799.99, down from $1,299.99
• 34-inch OLED Curved Smart Gaming Monitor - $649.99, down from $1,199.99
• 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9 Curved Gaming Monitor - $1,079.99, down from $1,799.99
• 55-inch Odyssey Ark 2nd Gen Curved Gaming Monitor - $1,799.99, down from $2,999.99
• 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 Curved Gaming Monitor - $1,599.99, down from $2,499.99

TVs

• The Frame TV - Save up to $700
• 70-inch QLED 4K QE1C TV - $989.99, down from $1,799.99
• 55-inch Neo QLED 4K Smart TV - $1,199.99, down from $1,499.99
• 55-inch Samsung Neo QLED 4K TV - $1,099.99, down from $1,999.99
• 65-inch OLED S90C TV - $1,299.99, down from $2,599.99

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's grip on the U.S. teen market remains strong, with new survey data showing high iPhone ownership and increasing interest in Apple Intelligence, despite a slight dip in demand for the iPhone 16.

A new report from Piper Sandler's fall 2024 survey provides a comprehensive look at how Apple products continue to dominate among U.S. teenagers. According to the survey, which involved more than 13,500 teens across 47 states, 87% of respondents said they own an iPhone. Additionally, 88% of teens expect their next smartphone to be an iPhone.

The data also highlights a marginal decrease in the number of teens planning to upgrade to the ‌iPhone 16‌. About 22% of respondents said they intend to upgrade this fall or winter, which is a slight drop from the 23% who planned to upgrade to the iPhone 15 at the same time last year, and from the 24% for the iPhone 14 in 2022. The decrease suggests a growing trend of teens holding onto their iPhones for longer periods before upgrading, with the average iPhone now being three generations behind the ‌iPhone 16‌. This is a notable shift from two years ago, when the average gap was only 2.5 generations.

Despite the slight decline in immediate upgrade plans, a significant driver of future purchases appears to be Apple's forthcoming suite of AI features. Nearly 30% of surveyed teens indicated that they plan to upgrade their devices because of ‌Apple Intelligence‌, which Apple plans to roll out starting later this year.

In addition to iPhones, other Apple products remain popular among teens. AirPods continue to be a major hit, with about 70% of respondents reporting ownership of a pair. The report also noted that 25% of teens expect to purchase new AirPods in the next six months.

Meanwhile, ownership of other Apple devices including iPads and Apple Watches, is also strong, with more than 30% of teens saying they own each of these products. However, Apple TV+ appears to have less traction, as only 10% of teens reported using the service, and they spend only about 1% of their total media consumption time on ‌Apple TV‌+. Apple Music, on the other hand, has maintained a steady presence among teens, with approximately one-third of respondents saying they have access to the service.

Apple released the HomePod mini nearly four years ago, so you may be wondering when the speaker will receive hardware upgrades.

Below, we recap rumors about a next-generation HomePod mini.

The firmest rumor came from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who in February 2023 said mass shipments of a second-generation HomePod mini would begin in the second half of 2024. However, it is unclear if that info is still accurate, as there have not been any recent HomePod mini rumors from credible sources.

Kuo did not reveal any new features planned for the next HomePod mini, but plausible upgrades could include a newer S-series chip for more advanced computational audio, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for a lower-latency Handoff experience, and new color options. The current HomePod mini is equipped with an S5 chip and a U1 chip.

Apple has already refreshed the color options for the HomePod mini a few times. The speaker was released in Blue, Orange, and Yellow in November 2021, and Space Gray was replaced with a virtually-identical Midnight finish in July.

Due to the lack of recent rumors, the likelihood of a new HomePod mini being imminent seems low. However, a new HomePod mini could end up being a surprise announcement at Apple's rumored October event, or it could be introduced in a press release on the Apple Newsroom website at any point over the coming months.

Read our HomePod mini roundup for more details about the speaker.

Amazon today has the Apple Studio Display for $1,294.99 during Prime Day, down from $1,599.00, which is a new all-time low price on the monitor. This is the standard glass version of the Studio Display with the tilt adjustable stand, and Amazon also has a few other models on sale as well.

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.

You can get the standard glass model with the VESA Mount Adapter for $1,294.99, down from $1,599.00, while the tilt- and height-adjustable stand model is available for $1,699.99, down from $1,999.00. In regards to the VESA model, this is another new all-time low price on the display.

If you want to upgrade to the nano-texture glass option, Amazon also has this model of the Studio Display on sale. It's available for $1,594.99, down from $1,899.00, which is a second-best price on the Studio Display with nano-texture glass.

The Studio Display features a 27-inch 5K Retina display with a 5120 x 2880 resolution and up to 600 nits of brightness. Apple says that the standard display is engineered for "extremely low reflectivity," but for rooms where there is a lot of glare, Apple suggests the nano-texture glass option with even less reflectivity.

We've been tracking all of the best Apple-related discounts for Prime Day, as well as accessory deals, in our dedicated posts. Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

Yesterday we highlighted some of the best Apple-related product discounts that you can find on Amazon during Prime Day, and now we're focusing on third-party accessory markdowns during the event. In this article you'll find all the best accessories for charging, smart homes, smartphones, and more.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Shoppers should remember that Prime Day sales are typically time sensitive, so purchase quickly if you're interested. Remember that you'll need an Amazon Prime membership to get Prime Day deals. You can sign up for a free 30-day trial of Prime on Amazon if you're a new customer; afterwards the service runs for $14.99/month or $139/year.

Twelve South

Amazon is discounting Twelve South's HiRise 3 Deluxe stand to $106.86 for Prime Day, down from $149.99. This is a 3-in-1 accessory that can charge an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously, and this is an all-time low price.

Anker

Prime Day deals have hit Anker's most popular portable batteries, Bluetooth speakers, wall chargers, USB-C hubs, and portable power stations. We've collected some of the best Anker discounts in the list below, but be sure to browse Amazon for even more sales.

Misc

• SmartTrack Card - $16.88, down from $29.99
• Soundcore Motion 300 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker - $59.99, down from $79.99

Portable Batteries

• 10,000 mAh Nano Power Bank with Built-In USB-C Cable - $31.99, down from $44.99
• 20,000 mAh Power Bank with Built-In USB-C Cable - $44.99, down from $59.99
• MagGo 10,000 mAh Power Bank with Apple Watch Charger - $63.99, down from $79.99
• MagGo Power Bank - $62.99, down from $89.99
• 9,600 mAh Power Bank - $59.99 with Prime, down from $89.99
• 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 - $119.99 with on-page coupon, down from $184.99

Wireless Chargers

• MagSafe Charger Stand 3-in-1 Cube - $111.95, down from $149.99
• MagGo 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station - $71.99, down from $99.99
• MagGo 3-in-1 Folding Charging Station - $83.99, down from $109.99

Power Stations

• Portable Power Station with Smart Display + Retractable Light - $99.99, down from $149.99
• SOLIX C800 Power Station with Camping Lights - $449.00, down from $649.00
• SOLIX C1000 Power Station - $479.00, down from $999.00
• SOLIX C1000 Power Station with Solar Panel - $799.00, down from $1,549.00
• SOLIX F2000 Power Station - $1,099.00, down from $1,999.00
• SOLIX F2000 Power Station with 200W Solar Panel - $1,299.00, down from $2,549.00
• SOLIX F2000 Power Station with 400W Solar Panel - $1,599.00, down from $2,899.00
• SOLIX F3800 Power Station with 400W Solar Panel - $3,099.00, down from $4,899.00

Wall Chargers

• 20W USB-C Charger - $9.99, down from $16.99
• 100W 3-Port USB-C Charger - $39.99, down from $74.99
• 6-in-1 Nano Charging Station - $45.99, down from $65.99
• Prime 67W 3-Port Charger - $39.99, down from $65.99

Hubs

• 4-Port USB-C Hub - $9.99, down from $19.99
• 10-in-1 USB-C Hub - $45.99, down from $149.99

Jackery

Jackery's Prime Day deals include a large selection of portable power stations at big discounts.

• Explorer 100 Plus with Solar Panel - $169.00, down from $229.00
• Solar Generator with Mini Solar Panel - $249.00, down from $349.00
• Solar Generator 300 Plus - $399.99, down from $499.00
• Explorer 1000 Plus Expansion Battery - $479.00, down from $599.00
• Explorer 500 - $479.00, down from $799.00
• Explorer 2000 Plus Expansion Battery - $999.00, down from $1,599.00
• Explorer 3000 Pro Generator - $1,799.00, down from $2,799.00
• Explorer 2000 Plus Solar Generator + Expansion Battery + Solar Panels - $2,899.00 with on-page coupon, down from $5,199.00
• Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit - $3,599.00 with on-page coupon, down from $6,799.00

Beats

There's a big collection of Beats headphones discounted for Prime Day this year, starting with the Beats Studio Buds for $79.00, down from $149.95. The newer Beats Studio Buds+ are on sale for $129.99, down from $169.95.

The Beats Studio Pro are on sale for $169.99, down from $349.99, which is a new record low price. You can also get the Beats Solo 4 Headphones for $99.99, down from $199.99 and the Beats Fit Pro for $149.99, down from $199.99.

Monitors

Samsung's popular 32-inch Smart Monitor M8 (Model M80D) is down to the best price we've ever seen it on Amazon, available for $399.99, down from $699.99. This is the newest model of the Smart Monitor M8, and it beats the previous low price by $100.

In addition to the Smart Monitor M8, Amazon has a the 27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K Monitor for $819.99, down from $1,599.99.

Belkin

• Auto Tracking Stand Pro – $134.99 from $179.99
• BoostCharge 2-in-1 Magnetic Foldable Wireless Charger with Qi2 15W – $49.99 from $69.99
• BoostCharge Pro 10K Power Bank with Integrated Cables – $49.29 from $69.99
• SoundForm Bolt True Wireless Earbuds – $29.99 from $39.99
• SoundForm Flow True Wireless Earphones – $59.99 from $89.99
• BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad with Qi2 15W – $49.99 from $79.99
• BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand with Qi2 15W – $99.99 from $129.99
• BoostCharge Pro3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad with Qi2 15W – $87.99 from $109.99
• BoostCharge Pro Convertible Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand with Qi2 15W – $42.74 from $59.99
• BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Dock with MagSafe 15W – $95.99 from $119.99

TVs

• 50-inch Vizio 4K Smart TV - $427.48, down from $629.99
• 55-inch TCL 4K Smart TV - $498.00, down from $699.99
• 55-inch The Frame 4K TV - $997.99, down from $1,499.99
• 65-inch LG C3 OLED 4K TV - $1,296.99, down from $1,499.99
• 65-inch LG G3 OLED 4K TV - $1,846.99, down from $2,799.99

Amazon Devices

Of course, some of the best discounts can be found on Amazon's own line of products. This includes Kindle e-readers, Blink security cameras, Fire tablets, and more.

• Echo Dot - $22.99, down from $49.99
• Echo Show 8 - $84.99, down from $149.99
• Kindle - $79.99, down from $99.99
• Fire HD Kids Tablet - $109.99, down from $189.99
• Blink Outdoor 4 Camera - $159.99, down from $399.99

Google Nest Thermostat

Amazon has the Google Nest Thermostat for $84.99, down from $129.99 during Prime Day. This is one of the lowest prices we've seen for the Nest Thermostat, and it's available at this price in two colors.

If you're on the hunt for more Prime Day discounts, be sure to visit our big Prime Day post where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the event. Remember that you'll need an Amazon Prime membership to get Prime Day deals. You can sign up for Prime on Amazon if you don't have the service yet.

Apple's M4 iPad Pro models with OLED displays are reportedly facing weaker-than-expected demand since their debut in the second quarter, according to a new analyst report.

Released in May of this year, the 11-inch and 13-inch devices marked Apple's first use of OLED technology in larger screens and were initially projected to ship up to 10 million units in 2024. However, in its latest analysis, market research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) has significantly lowered that forecast to just 6.7 million units.

DSCC's Ross Young reports that shipments of the 11-inch model are likely to decrease by 40% in the third quarter and a further 30% in the fourth quarter compared to the previous quarter. The larger 13-inch model is said to be experiencing an even steeper decline, with shipments projected to drop by over 50% and 90% in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.

Young attributed the lukewarm reception to several factors. The high price point, starting at $999 for the 11.1-inch model and $1,299 for the 13-inch version, may be deterring potential buyers who view tablets as complementary devices to smartphones or laptops. That's not to say that the new M4 processor and advanced display technology aren't impressive, but they may not provide enough incentive for consumers to upgrade their existing tablets. The limitations of Apple's iPadOS software could also be a factor.

The situation raises questions about the viability of OLED technology in maintaining Apple's premium pricing for tablets. Young noted that in the TV market, OLED has successfully competed with mini-LED technology, but the price differential remains a significant hurdle in the tablet space.

Apple is also said to be working on an OLED version of the iPad Air, and prior rumors have suggested that it will be released in 2026. However, due to sluggish sales of OLED ‌iPad Pro‌ models, Young expressed concern that the ‌iPad Air‌'s switch from LCD to OLED could be delayed by more than a year.

Despite the disappointing sales figures for the OLED ‌iPad Pro‌, Young remains optimistic about the future of OLED in Apple's MacBook lineup. The analyst has previously predicted that the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will switch from mini-LED to OLED as early as 2026. Young said he still expects stronger demand for OLED laptops compared to tablets, pointing at the increasing adoption of OLED displays by PC manufacturers.

MacBooks with OLED displays would offer increased brightness and improved contrast ratio compared to LCD models, and the displays would also be more power efficient for longer battery life. The switch to OLED displays could also contribute to future ‌MacBook Pro‌ models having a thinner design.

Apple's new iPhone Mirroring feature in macOS Sequoia might seem like a convenient way to access your phone from your work computer, but security firm Sevco has uncovered a significant privacy risk that should make employees think twice before enabling this feature on company-owned Macs, at least for now.

According to a new blog post by Sevco, the core issue lies in how iPhone Mirroring interacts with macOS's file system and metadata. When activated, the feature creates "app stubs" for iOS applications in a specific directory on the Mac:

/Users//Library/Daemon Containers//Data/Library/Caches/

These app stubs contain metadata about the iOS apps, including icons, application names, dates, versions, and file descriptions. While they don't include the full executable code, they provide enough information for macOS to treat them as installed applications.

The problem arises because many enterprise security and IT management tools routinely scan Macs for installed software. These tools often use macOS's built-in metadata system, which now includes these iOS app stubs. As a result, personal iPhone apps can inadvertently appear in corporate software inventories.

Sevco demonstrated this issue using the macOS command line tool mdfind, which interfaces with the Spotlight search subsystem:

mdfind "kMDItemContentTypeTree == com.apple.application" | grep Daemon

When executed in a Terminal window that has been granted full disk access without setting up iPhone Mirroring, the command returns a normal list of macOS applications. But when executed in that same Terminal window after setting up iPhone Mirroring, it also returns personal iOS applications and metadata.

For employees, this means that apps they use privately could become visible to their employer's IT department without their knowledge or consent. This could potentially reveal sensitive personal information, such as dating apps, health-related apps, or VPNs used in countries with restricted internet access.

• How to Use iPhone Mirroring in macOS Sequoia

Sevco has alerted Apple to this privacy concern, and the company is reportedly working on a fix. However, until a patch is released and widely implemented, the risks remain. For now, employees should avoid using iPhone Mirroring on work Macs. Companies should also be aware of this potential data liability and consider temporarily disabling the feature on corporate devices if possible.

In a continuation of the latest unprecedented leak, Apple's yet-to-be-announced M4 MacBook Pro has reportedly surfaced on Avito, a popular Russian classified ads website. The development follows recent videos from Russian YouTube channels showcasing what appears to be the unreleased laptop model.

According to reports on social media, the listing on Avito advertised a 14-inch MacBook Pro featuring the next-generation M4 chip. The device was supposedly configured with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, and offered in a new Space Black finish – a color currently exclusive to the M3 Pro and M3 Max ‌MacBook Pro‌ models. The asking price was said to be around 720,000 rubles (approximately $7,500), which is significantly higher than current ‌MacBook Pro‌ models.

Notably, it appears that multiple units of the unreleased ‌MacBook Pro‌ were offered for sale, suggesting a batch was stolen from a Chinese warehouse and somehow made it into Russia. The listing reportedly included a note stating that the price changes daily and buyers should confirm before purchase. However, as of now, these listings have been removed from the platform, which prohibits the sale of "nonexistent" products.

The latest leak comes on the heels of unboxing videos shared by Russian YouTube channels over the weekend. These videos purportedly show the upcoming ‌MacBook Pro‌, revealing potential upgrades such as three Thunderbolt 4 ports for the base model (up from two previous-generation TB3 ports) and 16GB of RAM as the new minimum memory configuration.

While the authenticity of these leaks remains unconfirmed, they do line up with recent rumors about Apple's plans for its Mac lineup. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has suggested that Apple may introduce M4-powered Macs as soon as the end of October, with a potential release date of November 1.

If genuine, this leak represents a significant breach in Apple's typically stringent security measures. The last time Apple faced a leak of this magnitude was in 2010 when an iPhone 4 prototype was accidentally left at a bar in California.

Apple has not commented on these leaks, and it remains unclear how the company will respond to this apparent breach. As always, potential buyers should approach unofficial listings with caution, especially for unannounced products.

Apple will soon release iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, and these updates will bring the first Apple Intelligence features for compatible iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

Not all of the ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features that Apple has in the works are coming in the iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 updates, and there will be ‌Apple Intelligence‌ capabilities added in future iOS 18.2, iOS 18.3, and iOS 18.4 updates.

We've rounded up everything Apple Intelligence-related that will be included in the iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 updates when the software comes out later this month.

Note that ‌Apple Intelligence‌ is still being refined and perfected, and when it launches, it will launch in a beta capacity.

Writing Tools

• Proofread text checks for spelling and grammar errors, including word choice and sentence structure. You can accept all suggestions with a tap or go through them one by one with explanations.
• Rewrite cleans up what you've written and shifts the tone without impacting your content. Options include Friendly, Professional, and Concise.
• You can select text and get a summary of it with ‌Apple Intelligence‌. You can choose to create a paragraph, pull out key points, make a list, or create a table. Summaries are available in Mail, Messages, and more.

You can select any text on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and use ‌Apple Intelligence‌ to access Writing Tools for summaries and other features.

Siri

• There's a new glow around the edges of the display when Siri is activated, applicable to iPhone, ‌iPad‌, and CarPlay. On Mac, the ‌Siri‌ window can be placed anywhere. The glow animates responsively to the sound of your voice so you can tell when ‌Siri‌ is listening without interrupting other things you're doing.
• A double tap at the bottom of the display brings up the Type to ‌Siri‌ interface so you can type requests instead of speaking them. On Mac, you need to press the Command key twice to bring up Type to ‌Siri‌. Type to ‌Siri‌ includes suggested requests so you can get your questions answered faster.
• ‌Siri‌ can maintain context between requests so you can ask a question and then reference it in a second reply. If you ask about the temperature in Raleigh, for example, and then follow up with "what's the humidity?" ‌Siri‌ should know you mean in Raleigh.
• If you stumble over your words when speaking to ‌Siri‌, or change what you're saying mid-sentence, ‌Siri‌ will follow along.
• ‌Siri‌ has Apple's product knowledge and support base for answering questions about your device's features and settings, and can even find settings when you don't know the exact name by using natural language search.

Mail

• There is a summarize button for summarizing any of your incoming emails, plus you will see a brief summary of an email in your inbox list rather than the first few lines of the email.
• Mail surfaces time sensitive messages first when applicable, putting them at the top of your inbox so you see what's important right away.
• Smart Reply provides quick-tap responses to emails that you've been sent, with contextual options based on what's in the email.
• Multiple notifications from Mail will be summarized on your Lock Screen so you can see what's in an email without opening the app.

Messages

• Messages has Smart Reply options for incoming texts, which analyze the content of messages to offer suggestions of what you might want to say.
• Multiple Messages notifications are summarized on your Lock Screen.
• You can use all of the Writing Tools features in the Messages app for proofreading and refining what you're planning to send.

Photos

• You can create a Memory Movie with just a description, such as "My cat in 2024," or "Orlando in the summer." The feature automatically picks relevant photos and chooses songs, but you can tweak through the Memory Mixes feature or choose a mood to guide the direction of the audio. You can also add in specific scenes and images you want to see throughout the memory when you're creating the prompt.
• Natural language search is available in Photos, so you can just describe what you're looking for, such as "Eric rollerskating while wearing green."
• Search can also find specific moments in video clips.
• Search offers up smart complete suggestions for narrowing down what you might want to find.

Clean Up

The ‌Photos‌ app also includes "Clean Up," a feature that lets you remove unwanted objects from your photos. The Clean Up tool in the ‌‌Photos‌‌ app is able to automatically detect objects in an image that might not be wanted, but you can also tap, circle, or brush over an unwanted object to remove it.

Zooming in on an image can help with using a finger as a brush to remove smaller blemishes and issues with an image, and it is intelligent enough not to remove part of a person even if a person or main subject is selected.

Clean Up works on all images in the ‌‌Photos‌‌ library, including older images and images captured by other devices like a point and shoot camera or a DSLR.

Transcription Summaries

In Notes and other apps, you can record audio and get a transcript along with a summary of your transcript, which is useful for recording lectures and other audio. Transcription isn't an ‌Apple Intelligence‌ feature, but summaries are.

Focus Modes

There is a dedicated Reduce Interruptions Focus Mode that only shows you important notifications that need attention while filtering out everything else.

When customizing an existing Focus mode or creating a new one, there is a new toggle to turn on Intelligent Breakthrough and Silencing. This option allows important notifications to interrupt you, while muting notifications that are not important, which is the same thing that the Reduce Notifications Focus does. You can override the notification settings for specific apps and people, which is how it worked prior to iOS 18.1.

Notification Summaries

Your incoming notifications are summarized so you can see what's new for each app at a glance.

Phone

Summaries of transcriptions generated from your phone calls are supported in iOS 18.1. The iOS 18.1 update adds the option to record a phone call and get a transcription, which is not an ‌Apple Intelligence‌ feature. What does require ‌Apple Intelligence‌, though, is getting a summary from that transcription without reading through the entire thing.

Note that you can start a recording by tapping on the record button in the upper left corner of the display when on a phone call. All participants are notified that the call is being recorded before the recording starts.

Recorded phone calls are stored in the Notes app, where you can tap in to view a transcript and get a summary generated from that transcript.

Safari

When reading an article in Reader Mode, there is an option to have ‌Apple Intelligence‌ summarize the article for you.

App Store

The App Store supports natural language and descriptive app tags to make it easier to find exactly what you're looking for.

Apple Intelligence Report

In the Privacy and Security section of the Settings app you can access an ‌Apple Intelligence‌ Report that lets you export your ‌Apple Intelligence‌ data as part of Apple's promise for transparency around ‌Apple Intelligence‌. Face ID is required to access and export ‌Apple Intelligence‌ data.

Apple Intelligence Waitlist

When iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 are released, you will need to go to the Settings app and join the ‌Apple Intelligence‌ waitlist. Apple is using a waitlist mechanic to ensure that behind the scenes downloads go smoothly and that the system isn't overloaded.

While on the waitlist, Apple devices download necessary files for on-device processing, and the waitlist should only take a few hours at most. The waitlist is on a per-account basis, so you only need to sign up for it on one device to have access on multiple devices.

Apple Intelligence Compatibility

The iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 betas are only available to registered developers with an eligible device. Devices that cannot run ‌Apple Intelligence‌ will not see the update.

• All iPhone 16 models
• iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
• All Apple silicon iPads
• All Apple silicon Macs

Apple Intelligence Availability

‌Apple Intelligence‌ is only available in U.S. English at this time, and it is not available to developers in the European Union or China. Device region and language need to be set to the United States.

Apple Intelligence Launch Date

iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 are expected to be released on Monday, October 28.

Apple Intelligence Features Coming Later

iOS 18.2, which we should get before the end of the year, is expected to bring support for ChatGPT integration with ‌Siri‌, Image Playground, and Genmoji.

iOS 18.3, coming sometime around January, could bring some new ‌Siri‌ features, but that's not yet guaranteed.

iOS 18.4 is expected to have the bulk of the ‌Siri‌ ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features including support for on-screen awareness for responding to what's on your display, better per-app controls and app integration, and personal context for more personalized responses to queries. We'll likely get iOS 18.4 around March.

Apple will also be adding support for additional languages in 2025.

Apple appears to be slowly moving away from regular, timed hardware and software releases that come on an annual basis, instead favoring more of a staggered product release cycle, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman highlighted in his most recent Power On newsletter.

Gurman suggests that Apple Intelligence is evidence that Apple is "ever-so-slightly" moving away from a big fall launch for its hardware and software products. iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia debuted without any ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features, despite the fact that ‌Apple Intelligence‌ was a key focal point of iOS 18 at the Worldwide Developers Conference, and heavily advertised for the new iPhone 16 models.

Instead, the first ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features will come out in October in an iOS 18.1 update, and Apple plans to add new ‌Apple Intelligence‌ capabilities in iOS 18.2, iOS 18.3, and iOS 18.4. Everything that Apple highlighted in June 2024 won't be available until well into 2025.

Apple has delayed some software features in the past, introducing them in later updates, but with ‌Apple Intelligence‌, Apple announced everything well in advance and made it clear that the software updates would roll out over time.

Gurman suggests that Apple could continue on this path, adopting a strategy that will see it release products when they're ready rather than pushing to get devices out on a scheduled timeline. As Apple's product lineup has grown more complex, software has also become more complicated. This year, Apple had to pull iPadOS 18 for the new M4 iPad Pro models after it was released, plus it had to remove beta versions of watchOS 11.1 and the HomePod Software 18.1 because the software was causing significant issues.

Apple is not expected to stop offering yearly releases of the iPhone, but there are signs that it is holding updates on some other products. There was no new version of the Apple Watch SE this year (and it seems to be on a 3-year update cycle as of now), nor did Apple introduce a new Apple Watch Ultra, instead adding a new color for the Ultra 2.

Macs and iPads that are planned for 2025 will come at various points throughout the year and may not be tied to specific events like WWDC and the September iPhone event. Gurman has previously said Apple will introduce new MacBook Air models, new iPad Air models, and a new iPhone SE early in 2025, with a Mac Studio to follow in mid-2025 and a Mac Pro to come later.

Gurman suggests that continuing on with a staggered approach could result in more innovation thanks to fewer timing constraints, and that such a strategy would also make Apple less predictable, which is something that the company aims for.

As Prime Day continues today, we're highlighting all of the best Apple deals you can get for under $100 on Amazon. This includes Apple Pencil, AirTags, iPhone cases, USB-C chargers, and more.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

You can find every Apple deal available during Prime Day in our dedicated post. Remember that you'll need an Amazon Prime membership to get Prime Day deals, and you can sign up for Prime on Amazon if you don't have the service yet.

$30 Or Under

In the cheapest category, you can get Apple's 20W USB-C Power Adapter for $14.99, down from $19.00 and the AirTag 1 Pack for $24.99, down from $29.00.

$50 Or Under

For accessories priced between $30 and $50, there are a few sales on Amazon for Prime Day. You can get the 35W Dual USB-C Port Power Adapter for $39.99, down from $59.00, as well as discounts on iPhone 16 cases.

$100 Or Under

Lastly, we're tracking a few deals on Apple products that are just under $100 for Prime Day. You can get an AirTag 4-Pack for $79.99 ($19 off), an Apple Pencil Pro for $98.00 ($31 off), and USB-C Apple Pencil for $67.00 ($11 off).

If you're on the hunt for more Prime Day discounts, be sure to visit our big Prime Day post where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the event. Remember that you'll need an Amazon Prime membership to get Prime Day deals. You can sign up for Prime on Amazon if you don't have the service yet.

Apple today in an emailed press release announced four new games coming to Apple Arcade on November 7, including Wheel of Fortune Daily, which is based on the iconic TV show. The other three games coming next month include Drive Ahead! Carcade, Arkanoid vs Space Invaders+, and Texas Hold'em Poker: Pokerist+.

Developed by Frosty Pop, Wheel of Fortune Daily will be available in Apple Arcade across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. The game features classic Wheel of Fortune bonus puzzles, where the player starts with the letters R, S, T, L, N, and E, chooses three more consonants and a vowel, and attempts to solve the puzzle.

"Wheel of Fortune Daily turns America's Game® into a simple, short, daily experience you can enjoy anytime and anywhere," the game's description says.

Accessible through the App Store, Apple Arcade is a subscription-based service that provides access to hundreds of games, all free of ads and in-app purchases. In the U.S., Apple Arcade costs $6.99 per month and is bundled in Apple One plans.

The current Apple TV was released two years ago this month, so you may be wondering when the next model will be released.

Below, we recap rumors about a next-generation Apple TV.

In January 2023, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that a new Apple TV was planned for release in the first half of 2024:

Beyond the future smart displays and new speaker, Apple is working on revamping its TV box. A new version with the current design is in the works for the first half of next year with a faster processor, the people said.

The first half of 2024 passed by without a new Apple TV, so that rumor has expired.

Last month, Gurman said "stable inventory" of the Apple TV suggested that a new model was not on the "immediate horizon" after all:

While the company has been working on an update to the Apple TV set-top box for as early as this year, no new model has come to fruition and stable inventory of the device suggests a new version isn’t on the immediate horizon.

All in all, there is no longer a clear timeframe for the next Apple TV. If you are considering purchasing an Apple TV, we recommend at least waiting until October is finished, just in case a new model is announced this month like in 2022.

Here is when the previous five Apple TV models were announced:

• Third-generation Apple TV 4K: October 2022
• Second-generation Apple TV 4K: April 2021
• First-generation Apple TV 4K: September 2017
• Apple TV HD: September 2015
• Third-generation Apple TV: March 2012

Whenever it comes out, the next Apple TV is rumored to feature a faster processor than the current A15 Bionic chip, and even lower pricing. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that the next Apple TV could have a sub-$100 starting price. In the U.S., the current Apple TV is available with 64GB or 128GB of storage for $129 and $149, respectively.

No major design changes have been rumored for the next Apple TV specifically, but Gurman said Apple has considered adding a built-in camera to a future model. tvOS 17 added a FaceTime app to the Apple TV, allowing for users to have video calls by using the rear camera on a connected iPhone or iPad. If the Apple TV gained a built-in camera, users would no longer need to rely on an external device for video calls on the TV.

Read our Apple TV roundup for more details.

The batteries inside the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus use an innovative type of adhesive that can be loosened with low-voltage electrical current. Apple's official repair guide recommends using a 9V battery with alligator clips for this process, but DIY repair website iFixit has released a new USB-powered tool as an alternative solution.

As reported by The Verge, iFixit is now selling a VoltClip tool that is essentially a pair of alligator clips with an integrated USB-C adapter. With a USB-C to USB-C cable, which is not provided, you can connect the tool to any USB-C charger or device that supports 9V or 12V output. iFixit has a step-by-step guide with complete instructions.

The adhesive debonding process takes roughly 60 to 90 seconds.

The tool is available for $10.95 on iFixit's online store in the U.S., with same-day shipping available on orders placed before 1 p.m. Pacific Time each day.

This electrical removal process does not extend to iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max batteries, which still have stretch-release adhesive pull tabs.

Prime Day deals are rolling in today, and now we're tracking the return of all-time low prices on the second generation Apple Watch SE. If you want a full list of all the best Prime Day discounts on Apple products, our dedicated article has sales on AirPods, MacBooks, iPads, and more.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Apple's 40mm GPS Apple Watch SE is available for $169.99 today on Amazon, down from $249.00. This is an all-time low price on the wearable. This deal is available in all three aluminum color options, and only Amazon has the discount.

You can also get the 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE on sale right now, available for $199.99 on Amazon, down from $279.00. This is another best-ever price on the Apple Watch SE for Prime Day.

There are also multiple cellular models on sale for Prime Day, starting at $219.99 for the 40mm cellular Apple Watch SE, down from $299.00. The 44mm cellular Apple Watch SE has hit $249.99, down from $329.00, and both of these are record low prices.

Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

Apple today added the final iPod nano and iPod shuffle models to its obsolete products list worldwide, marking the end of an era.

Apple introduced new color options for the seventh-generation iPod nano and fourth-generation iPod shuffle in 2015, and those models are now obsolete in particular. Apple went on to discontinue the iPod nano and iPod shuffle entirely in 2017.

Apple considers a device to be "obsolete" once seven years have passed since the company stopped distributing it for sale. Once a device is obsolete, it is no longer eligible for repair at an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider, with the only exception being MacBook battery replacements for up to a 10-year period.

Apple also added the iPhone 6 to its obsolete products list today. Apple had already classified the larger iPhone 6 Plus as obsolete in April, but the smaller iPhone 6 had remained available through resellers in select countries for longer, so it only became obsolete now.

Last, Apple added the 2017 model of the 12-inch MacBook and the sixth-generation iPad to its vintage products list today. Apple considers a device to be "vintage" once five years have passed since the company stopped distributing it for sale. Apple might offer to repair a vintage product, but only if parts remain available.