MacRumors

Apple released the fourth beta of iOS 17 to developers yesterday, and among the changes in the latest beta are some new code snippets that potentially hint at functionality for the rumored Action button on the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max.

The Action button, which could be similar to the Apple Watch Ultra's Action button but with more phone-focused options, is expected to be a new physical button on the next-generation Pro iPhone models that replaces the Ring/Silent switch. The Action button would allow users to quickly access various functions and settings without necessarily unlocking the device or navigating to an app.

According to the code found in iOS 17 beta 4, the Action button could have nine different options that users can customize and assign to different actions. While the code only lists feature names related to the Action button, we can infer what most of them will be able to do:

• Accessibility: This option would presumably let users access various accessibility features, such as VoiceOver, Zoom, AssistiveTouch, and more.
• Shortcuts: As on the Apple Watch Ultra, this option would let users run any shortcut they have created or downloaded from the Shortcuts app, such as sending a message, playing a playlist, or controlling smart home devices.
• Silent Mode: Similar to how the switch works on current ‌iPhone‌ models, this option would let users toggle silent mode on or off, which would mute or unmute the ringer and alerts.
• Camera: This option would likely let users launch the Camera app and/or take a photo or video with a single press of the Action button.
• Flashlight: This option would let users turn on or off the flashlight on the back of the device.
  

• Focus: This option should let users activate or deactivate a Focus mode.
• Magnifier: This option would presumably let users activate the Magnifier app to use the ‌iPhone‌'s camera as a magnifying glass to zoom in on small text or objects.
• Translate: This option could let users launch the Translate app and start a conversation or text translation with a single press of the Action button.
• Voice Memos: This option would let users start or stop recording a voice memo with the Voice Memos app.

Apple has not yet unveiled the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro, but an announcement and launch are expected in the usual September timeframe. If the rumors are correct, the Action button could be one of the key new features that makes the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro stand out from its predecessors.

Anker is back this week with a fresh collection of discounts on both Amazon and on Anker's own website. A highlight this time around is the Eufy Security SmartDrop Package Box, which is down to $199.99 on Amazon, from $399.99.

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.

The SmartDrop Package Box lets you secure your deliveries from thieves and notifies you when a new package has been placed inside. Today's price is a match of the previous all-time low price, which we haven't tracked for a few months now.

Besides the SmartDrop Package Box there are a few other Anker accessories on sale today, both on Amazon and on Anker's website. On the Anker website, you'll find both individual deals on charging accessories as well as a few bundle offers.

Shoppers should note that for both websites, most of the deals below will require you to clip an on-page coupon. On Amazon, you can do this by simply clicking the box near the green text under the price of the accessory, and then you'll see the price at checkout. On Anker, you can hit the "copy code" button then proceed to "buy now" in order to get the discount.

Cables and Wall Chargers

• USB-C to USB-C Cable (6ft 2-Pack) - $9.99 with on-page coupon, down from $16.99
• 100W USB-C Charger - $26.59 with on-page coupon, down from $35.99
• 100W USB-C Power Adapter (2-Port) - $39.09 with on-page coupon, down from $45.99
• Nano 65W USB-C Charger (3-Port) - $36.79 with on-page coupon, down from $55.99
• Compact Power Strip - $64.00 with on-page coupon, down from $99.99

Portable Batteries

• PowerCore 10,000 mAh - $17.59 with on-page coupon, down from $21.98
• PowerCore 20,000 mAh - $31.99 with on-page coupon, down from $41.99
• MagGo Magnetic Battery - $54.99 with on-page coupon, down from $79.99
• PowerCore Hybrid Charger - $69.99, down from $99.99
• PowerCore 24,000 mAh with Smart Digital Display - $129.99 with on-page coupon, down from $159.99
• PowerCore Reserve 60,000 mAh with Retractable Light - $144.49 with on-page coupon, down from $169.99
• PowerCore 26,000 mAh - $149.99 with on-page coupon, down from $169.99
• Portable Power Station - $661.49, down from $899.99

Hubs and Charging Stations

• 7-in-1 USB-C Power Strip - $50.99 with on-page coupon, down from $65.99
• 11-in-1 USB-C Hub - $62.99 with on-page coupon, down from $99.99
• MagGo Magnetic Charging Station - $70.00 with on-page coupon, down from $99.99
• 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe Charging - $119.96 with on-page coupon, down from $149.95 [matched at Anker]
• 3-in-1 MagSafe Station - $129.99, down from $139.99
• 12-in-1 Docking Station + Monitor Stand - $199.99, down from $249.99

Bluetooth Speakers

• Soundcore Motion Boom Plus - $149.99 with on-page coupon, down from $179.99

Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.

Initial customer demand for the new 15-inch MacBook Air has been "weaker than expected," according to a DigiTimes report citing sources within Apple's supply chain. The report claims that 15-inch MacBook Air shipment volume in July has been 50% less than originally estimated amid a broader downturn in the notebook market.

As a result of this "poor start," the report claims that some Apple suppliers have requested a reduction in 15-inch MacBook Air shipments.

Launched at WWDC last month, the 15-inch MacBook Air starts at $1,299 and has the same design and M2 chip as the 13-inch model, but with a larger display and two extra speakers. It is the first time that Apple has offered a 15-inch display for the MacBook Air, which was previously only available in 13-inch and discontinued 11-inch size options.

It's unclear if 15-inch MacBook Air demand has met Apple's own internal expectations so far. Apple is set to report its third quarter earnings results on August 3, and it may share some comments about the laptop then. Other new Macs launched during the quarter included spec-bumped Mac Studio and Mac Pro models.

The report claims that the MacBook supply chain can look forward to the "upcoming announcement" of a new MacBook Pro, without providing any additional details. The publication previously claimed that Apple plans to release a new 13-inch MacBook Pro with an M3 chip later this year. The M3 chip is widely expected to be fabricated with TSMC's 3nm process for significant performance and power efficiency improvements compared to the 5nm-based M2 chip in the existing 13-inch MacBook Pro.

An ultra-rare pair of official Apple-branded sneakers are now on sale from the auction house Sotheby's for $50,000 (via BBC News).

The Omega Sports Apple Computer Sneakers and feature a white leather upper with rainbow Apple logos on the tongue and next to the laces, as well as an air cushioning window in the heel. They come in men's U.S. size 10.5 and are accompanied by an alternative pair of red laces.

In 1986, Apple briefly offered a catalogue of Apple-branded merchandise and clothing available under "The Apple Collection," featuring the rainbow logo and Macintosh computer imagery. Yet these shoes were custom-made for Apple employees in the 1990s, available only as a one-time giveaway at a conference. They have never been sold to the public before and Sotheby's say that the pair of sneakers is "one of the most obscure in existence." The online listing reads:

Custom-made for Apple employees, these ultra-rare sneakers were a one-time giveaway at a National Sales Conference in the mid-'90s. More than 22,000 Apple consumers purchased clothing and accessories from the brand in 1985, a testament to the public's dedication across categories. For the products outside of Apple's zone of expertise, they would partner with leading brands such as Lamy, Honda, and Braun to apply their iconic Apple branding to various white label products.

Featuring a predominately white upper, the old school rainbow Apple logo — on both the tongue and lateral quarter — is a standout detail. Having never reached the general public, this particular pair of sneakers is one of the most obscure in existence and highly coveted on the resale market.

While they are said to be "new in the box," there are slight imperfections such as yellowing around the midsoles and glue, and light marks on the toe boxes due to their age.

Samsung today announced the launch of its fifth-generation foldable smartphones, introducing the Galaxy Z Flip5 and the Galaxy Z Fold5. Samsung has been producing foldable smartphones since 2019, and the latest models have a range of new features that improve upon the foldable design.

The Galaxy Z Flip5, priced starting at $1,000, is Samsung's smartphone that folds in half. When unfolded, it measures in at 6.7 inches, and when closed, there is a 3.4-inch interactive Flex Window available, which is the best new feature. Prior models had a small window that showed the time, notifications, camera controls, and other limited information, but the expanded window is 3.78 times bigger and almost functions as a full smartphone display.

In addition to supporting clocks that can match the face of Samsung's latest watches or Flipsuit Cases, the Flex Window supports widgets for checking the weather, taking and editing photos, texting, controlling music, making payments, browsing social networks, and even watching YouTube videos.

The flip design allows users to take hands-free selfies when the phone is half open, and there is a Dual Preview mode that lets a person being photographed see the result and make adjustments in real time. There are improved "Nightography" capabilities that optimize photos in situations with low light, and there's an AI-powered noise correction feature.

Camera hardware has not seen notable updates, with the Z Flip5 featuring a 10-megapixel selfie camera, a 12-megapixel ultra wide camera, and a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera.

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold5 is its flagship foldable smartphone, priced starting at $1,800. The Galaxy Z Fold5 opens like a book, and there is a new Flex Hinge design that improves the folding functionality. Samsung says that the Galaxy Z Fold5 is its thinnest and lightest Fold yet, and it is paired with a slimmer, more compact S Pen Fold.

There is a 6.2-inch Cover Screen that's usable as a standard smartphone when the Galaxy Z Fold5 is closed, and a 7.6-inch AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate when the device is unfolded. The main display's brightness has increased by upwards of 30 percent for improved viewing in bright sunlight.

The Galaxy Z Fold5 is powered by the Snapdragon Gen 2 mobile platform (as is the Flip5). Samsung improved the software-based Taskbar of the device by allowing for quick switching between frequently used apps, and there is a two-handed drag and drop for moving content between apps.

Cameras include a 10-megapixel selfie camera, a 4-megapixel under display camera, a 12-megapixel rear ultra wide camera, a 50-megapixel rear wide-angle camera, and a 10-megapixel rear telephoto camera. Other features include 12GB memory, up to 1TB internal storage, a 4,400mAh battery, and a fingerprint sensor.

Along with new smartphones, Samsung today also introduced the Galaxy Watch6 series and new Galaxy Tab tablets. The Galaxy Watch6 and Galaxy Watch6 Classic feature slimmed-down bezels, 20 percent larger displays, improved peak brightness, longer battery life, and an improved user interface.

Health features include sleep score calculations, sleep consistency ratings, body composition measurements, personalized heart rate zone information, fall detection, irregular heart rhythm notifications, menstrual cycle tracking, and skin temperature measurements. Pricing starts at $300 for the Galaxy Watch6 and $400 for the Galaxy Watch6 Classic.

The Galaxy Tab S9, S9+, and S9 Ultra feature 11-inch, 12.4-inch, and 14.6-inch display sizes, respectively. The S9+ and S9 Ultra have dual rear camera setups, with all three tablets offering on-screen fingerprint recognition, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chips, and S Pen support.

Preorders for the Galaxy Z Fold5, Galaxy Z Flip5, Galaxy Watch6 series, and Galaxy Tab S9 series start today, and the devices will be available from Samsung's website. General availability is slated for August 11.

Samsung is offering a number of bonus offers for early customers, including free storage upgrades from 256GB to 512GB for the Z Fold5 and the Z Flip5 or $150 off on the 1TB model of the Z Fold5. Both phone models also qualify for enhanced trade-in credit for select Galaxy, iPhone, and Pixel models of up to $1,000 toward the Z Fold5 or up to $900 toward the Z Flip5.

Customers pre-ordering either of the new Galaxy Watch6 models will receive a free Fabric Band and can receive up to $250 in trade-in credit for select Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch models. Tablet buyers can get up to $650 in trade-in credit toward their new devices, plus Tab S9 customers will great a free upgrade from 128GB to 256GB while Tab S9+ and Tab S9 Ultra buyers will be upgraded from 256GB to 512GB for no charge.

Finally, customers interested in bundling multiple devices can save between $130 and $300 when bundling a Z Flip5 or Z Fold5 with a Watch6 or Watch6 Classic, Buds2 Pro, or one of the new Galaxy Tab S9 models.

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

The lower-end iPhone 15 and ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus models launching later this year will feature a 48-megapixel rear camera lens with a new stacked sensor design that can capture more light, according to Apple industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Writing on his Medium blog, Kuo said Apple has been able to overcome yield issues of the new stacked CMOS image sensor (CIS) design thanks to supplier Sony increasing its production capacity by 100-120% to meet Apple's demand, resulting in a significant reduction in supply for its Android partners.

Apple first introduced a 48-megapixel camera lens on the iPhone 14 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max last year. The lens enables users to shoot 48-megapixel ProRAW photos, which retain more detail in the image file for more editing flexibility. By contrast, last year's ‌iPhone‌ 14 and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Plus used a 12-megapixel camera lens.

Kuo's report corroborates a claim by Jeff Pu, an analyst at Hong Kong-based investment firm Haitong International Securities, who in May said the 48-megapixel lens on the ‌iPhone 15‌ and ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus will use a new three-stacked sensor that can capture more light for improved image quality.

At the time, Pu said the stacked sensor was likely facing yield issues that could result in ‌iPhone 15‌ and ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus production delays. However, Kuo's latest report suggests Apple has resolved the situation, albeit to the detriment of its rivals.

Apple has released the fourth beta of the upcoming iOS 17 software release to developers for testing purposes, and like almost all new betas, the operating system brings a number of small tweaks and changes as Apple refines the software ahead of launch.

Here's everything new that we've found so far in the fourth beta of iOS 17.

NameDrop Toggle

In the AirDrop menu in Settings, Apple has added a "Start Sharing By" section that includes a toggle called "Bringing Devices Together," which allows users to manually switch NameDrop on and off.

NameDrop is the new iOS 17 feature that lets you hold your iPhone near someone else's ‌iPhone‌ or Apple Watch to exchange contact information. Previously, there was no way to disable it.

iMessage App Menu

In iOS 17, all Messages apps and tools like the camera and photo options can be accessed by tapping on the "+" button, which brings up a menu column. In fourth beta, Apple has tweaked the design of the icons.

The Camera icon has changed from a shutter button to a traditional camera glyph. The Photos icon no longer shows the most recent picture taken, and is now just the standard ‌Photos‌ app icon. Cash, where it appears, now has a black circular background. The Audio icon has become a white waveform on a red background instead of a red waveform on a black background, and the Location icon is now encircled in green to look similar to Find My. The More icon is also circular instead of an oblong shape.

Standby Notification Preview Toggle

In the Standby menu in Settings, Apple has added a toggle called "Show Preview on Tap Only," which when enabled causes Standby to hide the preview of a notification until you tap on it.

When you're not using your ‌iPhone‌, you can put it horizontally on a charger to activate iOS 17's new StandBy mode, a full-screen display with information you can see at a glance.

Mental Wellbeing

Apple has made minor design refinements to the Mental Wellbeing section of the Health app, with updated animations when logging your mood.

The animations have been made a little less angular, and are now softer, smoother, and slightly more florid.

New Home Screen & App Library Icon

Apple has changed the Settings menu icon for Home Screen & App Library, which was previously a white outline of an ‌iPhone‌ showing a ‌Home Screen‌ on a blue background.

In the fourth beta, it is now represented by three rows of multicolored app-style icons on a purple background.

Tweaked Apple TV Remote Icon

In Control Center, Apple has made a minor tweak to the Apple TV Remote button, which now has a black circle representing the click wheel, while the Standby button in the top-right corner has been removed.

Other New Features and Changes

Find something that we didn't mention here? Let us know in the comments below.

Apple today released the fourth beta of macOS 14 Sonoma, but it might be wise to hold off on installing the new software right now due to issues that some Mac users have reported.

A handful of people have downloaded and installed the beta only to be greeted with an entirely black screen and a non-functional device. The mouse pointer is visible, but nothing shows up on the display. Affected Macs include an M2 14-inch MacBook Pro, an M1 MacBook Air, and an M1 Max ‌MacBook Pro‌, but not all users are having installation troubles.

There are multiple reports from people who have had no issues installing the beta, so it is not clear where the problem lies. On Reddit, one user was able to fix the issue by going into recovery mode and reinstalling the beta, and another had luck with multiple reboots, but that does not seem to solve the problem for everyone.

On the MacRumors forums, there are also reports of issues with widgets not showing up properly and the Music app not opening, which were fixed by restarting. Given the number of problems with the software, those who are using macOS Sonoma on a main machine might want to wait to upgrade to the fourth beta.

Recent rumors have suggested that Goldman Sachs is aiming to end its financial partnership with Apple, and The Information today shared a new report on what went wrong and why the relationship between the two companies fell apart.

Goldman Sachs is Apple's partner on the Apple Card, the Apple Savings account that is open to ‌Apple Card‌ users, and Apple Pay Later, Apple's buy now, pay later service that is being beta tested. Apple and Goldman Sachs have worked together since the ‌Apple Card‌ launched in 2019, but the venture is not making Goldman Sachs enough money, and Goldman Sachs' customer service issues with the Apple Savings account are impacting Apple's reputation.

Former employees at both companies who worked on the Apple Card said executives weren't prepared for how difficult it would be to combine Apple's West Coast tech approach with Goldman's New York-style banking culture. While Apple was more focused on the sleek technology and product pizazz that drew in customers and kept them happy, Goldman prioritized regulatory compliance and profitability.

Apple had a lot of demands that were atypical for credit cards and led to development problems ahead of when the ‌Apple Card‌ launched, including billing statements that lined up with calendar month, instant cash back rewards (did not launch), and the design of the physical card and customer agreements.

In one anecdote relayed by The Information, Goldman Sachs and Apple ran into a glaring issue. Apple CEO Tim Cook was testing the service and was not able to get approved for an ‌Apple Card‌. The Goldman Sachs underwriting process rejected his application because he is a high-profile figure that is regularly impersonated, and flags on his credit bureau accounts caused issues.

Goldman Sachs was able to make a one-off exception, but internally, there were other issues that Goldman Sachs was dealing with that eventually led to an investigation by the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Goldman Sachs ended up with more disputed transactions than anticipated, and customers were receiving conflicting information or long wait times for dispute resolutions.

Shorty after the ‌Apple Card‌ launched, Goldman Sachs was also investigated for how credit limit increases were provided following reports of gender discrimination. Goldman Sachs was ultimately cleared of gender bias, but the situation created tension with Apple. The company also had issues with inaccurate statements, delayed payment postings, and problems with credit reports.

Goldman Sachs is now aiming to get away from consumer banking. It wanted to hand the Apple partnership over to American Express, but ‌Apple Card‌ has to run on the Mastercard network until at least 2026 according to a deal Apple and Goldman Sachs established, and American Express has its own payment network. Apple also has to approve any new partner, and sources that spoke to The Information have suggested that few companies would be willing to agree to Apple's terms.

Because Goldman Sachs was new to consumer banking and was eager to establish a deal with Apple, it is not collecting fees that it would typically get in a partnership for a credit card. Goldman Sachs does not get a portion of the fee that merchants pay to Apple to accept the ‌Apple Card‌. Retailers pay a percentage of each transaction when taking a credit or debit card payment, and Goldman Sachs gets no funding from this.

Goldman Sachs is unable to collect annual fees, late fees, or fees for foreign transactions because the ‌Apple Card‌ does not charge these fees. Apple does pay for the Daily Cash that users earn, and Goldman Sachs is able to earn money from loans issued to cardholders who split Apple product purchases into installments, but it is not making enough for the deal to be appealing to a new partner.

Apple could decide to partner with a lesser-known bank to handle the regulatory functions while Apple takes over underwriting, fraud prevention, and customer service, but it is not yet clear if that will happen. The Information does not believe that Apple and Goldman Sachs will be able to maintain their relationship, and the report suggests that it could take around 18 months to dissolve the partnership.

More details about the relationship between Apple and Goldman Sachs can be found in The Information's full report.

Apple today released the fourth Studio Display 17 firmware, with the update coming almost three weeks after the release of the third beta. The fourth update coincides with the fourth developer beta of macOS Sonoma.

All Studio Display models are able to receive over-the-air firmware updates, but this firmware update is limited to Macs that are running the macOS Sonoma operating system at the current time. Studio Display owners with macOS Sonoma installed can go to System Settings > Software Update to install the firmware.

Apple has not provided details on what's included in the firmware update and no new features have been found by those running the betas. Release notes will likely be available when the software sees a public launch this fall alongside macOS Sonoma, but so far it does not seem like there are major feature additions in the software.

Apple today released a second beta of visionOS, the software that will run on the future Vision Pro headset. The first beta came out in June, so it has been available to developers to experiment with for a full month.

Because no developers have access to Vision Pro headsets at this time, testing on an actual Apple device is not possible. As of now, the SDK can be accessed through the latest Xcode beta in a virtual capacity.

Apple plans to provide select developers with Vision Pro headsets for app development purposes in the coming weeks. Apple yesterday began accepting applications from developers who are hoping to get one of the development kits. Apple will give developers Vision Pro "loaner" headsets that can be used to develop and test apps. The headsets will need to be returned to Apple at some point, and Apple is asking developers to keep the headsets locked up when not in use.

App development must be done in a private, secure workspace accessible only by the developers who are approved to work with the Vision Pro, rules that will perhaps keep additional headset details from leaking. Registered developers can apply for a test kit on Apple's website.

Apple plans to evaluate each application and priority will be given to applicants developing apps that take advantage of visionOS features and capabilities. Vision Pro is expected to launch sometime in early 2024, so developers have six to nine months to work on apps.

Apple today seeded the fourth beta of the upcoming macOS 14 Sonoma update to developers for testing purposes. The beta comes two weeks after the launch of the third beta.

Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and after the appropriate profile is installed, with the betas available through the Software Update mechanism in System Settings.

macOS Sonoma introduces new Apple TV-like screen savers that also serve as wallpapers after you log in, plus it moves widgets to the desktop. You can use the new widget gallery to choose from a range of widgets, and then drag them to your Mac's desktop.

Widgets can be arranged in any way that's useful, and when you're using an app, they are designed to fade into the background so they're less distracting. ‌Widgets‌ are more interactive than before, so you can use them to do things like play music, turn off the lights in your home, and more. Through Continuity, your iPhone's widgets can also show up on your Mac's desktop.

Video conferencing has improved with a new Presenter Overlay view that shows your desktop or project in new ways, plus Safari now supports web apps for the Dock and the option to create Profiles so you can separate personal browsing from work browsing.

Other new features include improved search that's faster and more responsive, password and passkey sharing, a revamped stickers interface for the Messages app, PDF integration in notes that makes it easier than ever to manage PDFs, and more.

macOS Sonoma will be in beta testing for several months, with a public release coming this fall.

Apple today seeded the fourth betas of upcoming iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming two weeks 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 17 Developer Beta. Note that an Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.

iOS 17 is a major update that introduces a customized look for each person that calls, with the person who places the call able to customize their look. Live voicemails let you see a transcript of a message someone is leaving in real time so you can choose to pick up the phone if you want, and voice messages people send in iMessage are now transcribed into text. You can also record a video or audio message when someone misses your FaceTime call, and ‌FaceTime‌ works on the Apple TV through Continuity functionality.

In Messages, apps have been moved to a new tucked-away interface for a cleaner look, and there is a new Check In feature that is designed to let your friends and family keep an eye on you when you're traveling. Check In automatically notifies friends or family members when you arrive at a destination, such as home. Locations can also now be shared directly from the Messages app.

In a group chat, there's a catch-up arrow so you can see the first message you haven't seen in a conversation, and with search filters, you can more easily find what you're looking for. Stickers have been overhauled, and all emoji are now stickers, living alongside sticker packs and Memoji. Using the remove from background feature in iOS 17, you can turn the subject from any image into a sticker.

With StandBy, an iPhone placed horizontally turns into a little home hub that displays information like the calendar, time, home controls, and more, and Live Activities can be displayed in full screen too.

Widgets on the Home Screen are interactive, so you can do things like check off an item on a to-do list or turn off the lights without having to open an app. AirDrop has been improved and there's a NameDrop function for sharing contacts quickly, plus you can hold two iPhones together to start a SharePlay session. SharePlay also now works with CarPlay so passengers can play their music in the car too.

Other new features include a journaling app coming later this year, AirPlay in select hotel rooms, improvements to AirPods Pro 2 thanks to a new Adaptive Audio feature, offline Maps, Siri that does not require the "Hey" activation, and improvements to search and spotlight.

Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming watchOS 10 update to developers for testing purposes, with the software update coming two weeks after the third beta.

To install the watchOS 10 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. Note that an Apple ID linked to a developer account is required.

Once beta updates have been activated, watchOS 10 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 10 adds a whole new widget-focused interface. You can access a widget stack from any watch face using the Digital Crown, swiping through them to get to relevant information. Control Center can be activated from any app by pressing the side button, and these new quick access controls are meant to let you use watch faces that support less information while still putting everything you need at your fingertips.

There are new Palette and Snoopy watch faces, updates to Cycling and Hiking workouts, and mental health integrations. Users can log their state of mind and mood using the Apple Watch, with the device providing insights into mental health over time.

Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming tvOS 17 beta to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming two weeks after Apple introduced the third beta.

Registered developers are able to download the tvOS 17 update by opting in to the beta through the Settings app on the Apple TV. A registered developer account is required.

tvOS updates don't typically garner as much attention as updates to iOS and macOS, and are never as feature rich, but tvOS 17 brings FaceTime to the TV for the first time. The ‌Apple TV‌ 4K can connect to an iPhone or iPad that serves as the camera, with the ‌FaceTime‌ interface showing up on the TV's screen.

All of the ‌FaceTime‌ features are available, including Center Stage to keep you front and center, plus there are new gesture-based reactions that let you use your hands to generate on-screen effects. For example, if you make a heart with your hands, the screen will display hearts.

Split View for ‌Apple TV‌ lets users watch television with friends and family using SharePlay, and there are controls for transferring calls between the TV and an ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌ as needed. Third-party apps like Zoom will also be able to take advantage of this functionality, so those apps will also work on the TV screen.

Control Center on ‌Apple TV‌ has been revamped and it is easier for users to access key settings and information, plus there is a new feature that allows the ‌iPhone‌ to locate a Siri Remote that's been misplaced.

tvOS also features a range of new aerial screen savers, adds support for third-party VPN apps, introduces Dolby Vision 8.1 on compatible devices, and more. Details can be found in our Apple TV roundup.

Popular flight tracking app Flighty was today updated to version 3.0, with the developers behind the app introducing useful new sharing functionality that's free to use.

Flighty Friends allows Flighty users to send their flight information to family and friends in a quick, easy to parse format. Flight details are easy to follow, so family members can monitor a flight, see if there are delays, and know when you land.

To use Flighty Friends, you just need to connect with a person, and then you can see each other's trips automatically, eliminating the need to send over flight data like airline, flight number, and arrival times. The app will send regular notifications for events like delays, takeoffs, and landings, and there are customizable notifications so each user can decide how much info they want to see.

A live flight map displays the flight locations of every person that you've connected with, so you can keep track of flight progress in real-time. Flight sharing is a free feature of the Flighty app for all users, and flight sharing can be toggled off or on as needed.

Flighty is free to download and use, but there is a "Pro" upgrade that adds features like instant push alerts, FAA delay alerts, Lock Screen widgets, live inbound plane tracking, delay predictions, an arrival forecast, and more. Flighty works on the Mac, iPhone, and iPad, and can be downloaded from the App Store. [Direct Link]

Meta today started rolling out a highly-requested "Following" tab in its Threads app, allowing users to view posts from accounts they follow in reverse-chronological order. The app continues to show algorithmically recommended posts under the "For you" tab.

The addition of a "Following" tab brings Threads more in line with its rival Twitter, and it will make the app more useful for keeping track of the latest posts in real time. The new tab is still in the process of rolling out as a server-side change, so it is not yet visible to all users, but updating the app and tapping the home button in the bottom menu might help.

Meta launched Threads earlier this month as an alternative to Twitter, which has faced several controversial changes since being acquired by Tesla CEO Elon Musk last year. Earlier this week, Twitter changed its name to "X" and said it would become a platform for "everything," including audio, video, messaging, payments, and more.

Threads is integrated with Instagram, resulting in the platform already becoming the largest Twitter alternative, with over 100 million users signed up.

Apple is considering releasing a foldable iPad in the future, according to a paywalled preview of an upcoming DigiTimes report shared today.

"Apple, who is rumored to have been working on foldable smartphones for several years, reportedly is considering extending the effort to the tablet sector," the preview says, citing sources from the upstream supply chain.

The report corroborates existing rumors about a foldable iPad. In January, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that a foldable iPad would launch in 2024, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Display Supply Chain Consultants CEO Ross Young said they had not heard anything about such a device at the time. Kuo said the foldable iPad would feature an all-new design and a lightweight and durable carbon fiber kickstand.

Like foldable smartphones from brands such as Samsung and Google, a foldable iPad would have a hinge that allows the device to be opened and closed like a book, resulting in a much larger display than existing models when it is unfolded. A foldable iPad would likely be positioned above the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which starts at $1,099.

Apple has yet to release any devices with foldable displays, but rumors suggest the company is considering all options over the long term, including a foldable iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It remains to be seen if Apple ever releases any of these devices, or if the plans will remain limited to the research and development stage.