Prior to the launch of the latest Apple TV 4K, there were rumors that Apple planned to build Find My functionality into the Siri Remote to make it easier to find. That never happened, but Apple is introducing a similar location function for the Siri Remote in tvOS 17.
If the Siri Remote becomes lost, tvOS 17 users can open up the Apple TV remote on the Control Center on a linked iPhone to locate their Siri Remote. There is a Find My-like interface that will guide them toward the remote, with the size of the onscreen circle growing to guide movement.
The feature for locating a Siri Remote works with the second-generation or later version of the device, and tvOS 17 is required as well.
The Remote location feature is likely possible due to deeper integration between the iPhone and iPad and the Apple TV. Apple has also introduced a FaceTime app for the Apple TV that uses a connected iPhone or iPad as the camera source.
Other new tvOS 17 features include updated screen savers that use your photos, an option to immediately switch to your profile when you use the Apple TV with your iPhone remote, and a revamped Control Center that makes it easier for you to access key settings and information.
Following the keynote event, Apple began allowing members of the press to get a quick look at the Apple Vision Pro headset in person. Apple has several demonstration areas set up, but as of right now, media attendees can only see the device and aren't able to try it out.
The headset has a futuristic, sleek look, with Apple mounting the devices on stands to give the media a closer look. The external battery pack can be clearly seen connected to the headset through a cable at the side of the device.
Design wise, the headset is not unlike a pair of ski goggles, featuring a wrap-around display that's held against the face by a soft mesh and a seal that keeps out the light. The headband is made from a soft, braided material that's meant to be comfortable to wear for longer periods of time.
There is no word yet on whether media attendees will be given a chance to test out the headset today or later this week, but there is a good chance that we'll soon be seeing some first impressions.
Apple today seeded the first beta of the newly announced macOS 14 Sonoma update to developers for testing purposes. While the beta is limited to developers at this time, Apple plans to provide a public beta later this summer.
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 set to come in September or October.
Following today's keynote event, Apple has released the first betas of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 to developers for testing purposes. The betas are only available for those with a developer account, and Apple is restricting downloads with the elimination of the previous profile system.
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 the Messages app, 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.
While today's beta is limited to developers, Apple will be providing a public beta later this summer.
Following this morning's keynote event, Apple has seeded the first beta of an upcoming watchOS 10 update to developers for testing purposes.
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.
watchOS 10 is limited to developers at the current time, but Apple will offer a public beta later this summer, with an official release to follow this fall.
Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming tvOS 17 beta to developers for testing purposes.
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 receive as much attention as updates to iOS and macOS, and are never as feature rich, but tvOS 17 adds 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.
Apple today introduced the long-awaited AR/VR headset that it has had in development for the last several years, and as rumors suggested, it is expensive. The Vision Pro is priced starting at $3,499.
Given the high price point, there appears to be a single model, with no color options or accessories for the device, despite rumors. There could, however, be different storage options as Apple did mention a starting price.
The headset will not be launching in 2023, with Apple instead planning to debut it in early 2024. When it launches, it will be available solely in the United States, though it will expand to other countries later on in 2024.
Demonstrations will be available at Apple retail locations closer to the device's launch date.
The Vision Pro headset that Apple announced today will have a unique biometric authentication method, employing iris scanning for the first time. Optic ID uses cameras in the headset to scan the eye, much like Face ID scans the face.
It is, in fact, almost identical to Face ID, but it uses the unique layout of a person's iris to verify identity.
Optic ID can be used to unlock the headset, authorize purchases, and unlock passwords, much like Face ID and Touch ID. Optic ID data is encrypted, stays on device, and is stored in the Secture Enclave processor so it can never be accessed by Apple or third-party developers.
The headset has numerous privacy features in addition to Optic ID. There is a visual indicator when the on-device camera is being used to record 3D video, and all eye input is isolated so apps and websites aren't able to determine where you're looking. Camera data is processed at the system level, so apps also aren't able to see your surroundings from the multitude of cameras.
Apple today previewed macOS Sonoma, its latest operating system for the Mac. Available in beta today and launching in the fall, macOS Sonoma drops support for a handful of Mac models compared to macOS Ventura, according to Apple's website.
macOS Sonoma drops support for the following Macs:
2017 MacBook Pro
2017 iMac
2017 MacBook (12-Inch)
macOS Sonoma remains compatible with the following Macs:
MacBook Pro: 2018 and later
MacBook Air: 2018 and later
Mac mini: 2018 and later
iMac: 2019 and later
iMac Pro: 2017
Mac Studio: 2022 and later
Mac Pro: 2019 and later
macOS Sonoma will likely be released in October like macOS Ventura and macOS Monterey were.
Following the keynote event that saw the introduction of new Macs, Apple today released a Studio Display firmware beta that is available to developers.
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 new macOS Sonoma operating system at the current time. Studio Display owners running macOS Sonoma can go to System Settings > Software Update to install the firmware.
Apple has not provided details on what's included in the firmware update.
The new watchOS 10 update that is coming later this year will work with all versions of the Apple Watch that were able to run watchOS 9, according to Apple's watchOS 10 preview site.
The update is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 4 and later, with a full list below.
Apple Watch Series 4
Apple Watch Series 5
Apple Watch SE (All models)
Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch Ultra
Apple warns that not all features will be available on all devices, so some of the more system intensive functions could be limited to newer Apple Watch models with more advanced processors.
In addition to Apple Watch Series 4 or later, to run watchOS 10, users will also need an iPhone capable of running iOS 17. This includes the iPhone XS or later and iPhone XR or later.
Following today's keynote event, Apple has released a beta firmware update that is limited to developers, with the software adding some of the new features that were announced on stage.
There's a new Adaptive Audio feature for the AirPods that combines Transparency and Active Noise Cancellation to dynamically match the conditions of the environment that you're in.
You can stay present in your environment while distracting noises are reduced, listening to music without missing what's going on around you. When someone is nearby, a conversation awareness option will lower the sound of the music and focus on voices, while also cutting out background noise.
The Adaptive Audio and conversation functions also work on calls to make it easier for you to hear the person you're speaking with while you're out and about.
Apple is also improving automatic switching across the Apple ecosystem, so you can swap between devices more quickly than before.
The new firmware is limited to developers at the current time.
Following the introduction of the Apple silicon Mac Pro, Apple today added SSD upgrade kits to its online store. The kits offer 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB of storage space for $1,000, $1,600, and $2,800, respectively.
The kits feature two 1TB SSDs, two 2TB SSDs, or two 8TB SSDs, and replace the existing internal SSD storage of the Mac Pro.
The hardware is compatible only with the new 2023 Mac Pro machines that use Apple's M2 Ultra chips.
The kits can be ordered starting today, with delivery dates starting on June 9.
Apple today began selling a new 70W power adapter with a single USB-C port on its online store. Priced at $59, Apple recommends pairing the power adapter with the new 15-inch MacBook Air and various other MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.
From the product listing:
The 70W USB-C Power Adapter offers fast, efficient charging at home, in the office or on the go. It’s compatible with numerous USB-C devices and charging cables. Apple recommends pairing this power adapter with a 13-inch or 15-inch MacBook Air with M2 chip, a 13-inch MacBook Pro (2016 and later) or a 14-inch MacBook Pro. Use it with MacBook Air with M2 chip models to take advantage of fast charging, so you can go from 0 to 50 percent charge in around 30 minutes.
Apple has stopped selling its previous 67W power adapter, although it is still listed as included with the 14-inch MacBook Pro for now.
Apple is now allowing customers to trade-in a Mac Studio, 13-inch M2 MacBook Air, and 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro for credit towards new Apple product purchases.
As part of Apple's trade-in program, customers can trade in a Mac Studio and receive up to $1,500 of credit towards purchasing a new product. Apple is also offering up to $450 for a 13-inch M2 MacBook Air and up to $775 for a 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro.
Apple determines the exact value of the traded-in product depending on its condition, such as if it has scratches or dents, and if it functions correctly. If a customer has a device not included on Apple's list of trade-in devices, the company will also recycle it for free. More information can be found on Apple's trade-in page.
After today's keynote event that saw the introduction of iOS 17, the AR/VR headset, a range of new Macs, and more, Apple has brought its online store back up so that customers can begin preordering the new devices.
Apple's 15-inch MacBook Air is priced starting at $1,299, while the Mac Studio is priced starting at $1,999. The M2 Ultra Mac Pro is priced starting at $6999.
The 15-inch MacBook Air, M2 Max and M2 Ultra Mac Studio, and M2 Ultra Mac Pro can be preordered starting today, with a launch to follow next week.
Apple's AR/VR headset, which also debuted today, is not going to be available for purchase until early 2024.
Apple today announced that iOS 17 is compatible with the iPhone XS and newer, meaning that support has been dropped for the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X. The first iOS 17 beta will be available to members of Apple's Developer Program for testing later today, and a public beta will be released in July, according to Apple.
Likewise, the first developer betas of iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma, and watchOS 10 will be available today, followed by public betas next month.
Apple says iOS 17 will be released to the public in the fall — likely in September alongside new iPhone 15 models. Read our iOS 17 announcement coverage for more details about what's new in the software update.
Apple today revealed the "Vision Pro" headset, its first mixed-reality headset device, and visionOS, an all new operating system for the device.
Apple describes the Vision Pro headset as "a revolutionary spatial computer that seamlessly blends digital content with the physical world." The device features an all-new operating system that features a three dimensional interface. Experiences in Vision Pro aren't constrained to the boundaries of a display, users can make apps any scale, and place apps wherever they wish. Users use a combination of their eyes, hands, and voice to control the device.
Apple's Vision Pro starts at $3,499 and it will be available early next year. It will be sold in Apple retail stores in the U.S. only at first.
Design
The entire front of the headset is made of polished glass that flows into a lightweight aluminum frame. The top of the headset features a button and a Digital Crown that lets a user control how present or immersed they are in an environment.
The headset has a modular system to achieve an optimal fit. Its battery is separate and links via a magnetic connection to the side of the headset.
A singular piece of three-dimensionally formed and laminated glass is polished to create an optical surface that acts as a lens for the wide array of cameras and sensors needed to blend the physical world with digital content. The glass flows into the custom aluminum alloy frame that gently curves around the user’s face, while the modular system allows for a tailored fit to accommodate a wide range of people. The Light Seal is made of a soft textile, and comes in a range of shapes and sizes, flexing to conform to a user’s face for a precise fit. Flexible straps ensure audio remains close to the user's ears, while a Head Band — available in multiple sizes — is three-dimensionally knitted as a single piece to provide cushioning, breathability, and stretch. The band is secured with a simple mechanism, making it easy to change to another size or style of band.
Those who wear glasses must use magnetic prescription ZEISS glass inserts with the Vision Pro headset.
Hardware
Vision Pro features an ultra-high-resolution display system with 23 million pixels across two micro-OLED displays – more than a 4K for TV for each eye.
Vision Pro uses high-speed cameras and a ring of LEDs that project invisible light patterns onto the user's eyes to track gaze. The headset also contains the M2 chip paired with a new "R1" chip, dedicated toward real-time sensor processing.
These groundbreaking innovations are powered by Apple silicon in a unique dual-chip design. M2 delivers unparalleled standalone performance, while the brand-new R1 chip processes input from 12 cameras, five sensors, and six microphones to ensure that content feels like it is appearing right in front of the user's eyes, in real time. R1 streams new images to the displays within 12 milliseconds — 8x faster than the blink of an eye. Apple Vision Pro is designed for all-day use when plugged in, and up to two hours of use with its external, high-performance battery.
It also has a new Spatial Audio system with two individually amplified drivers inside each audio pod, which deliver Personalized Spatial Audio based on the user's own head and ear geometry. It can match the sound to an environment using audio ray-tracing. The headset is capable of running for up to two hours on a single charge.
Features
The headset is controlled by a user's eyes, hands, and voice. Users can browse through apps by simply looking at them, tapping their fingers to select, flicking their wrist to scroll, or using voice to dictate. It also supports Apple's Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad.
The headset features passthrough video of a wearer's eyes in a feature that Apple calls "EyeSight," displaying the user's eyes to surrounding people. It uses a lenticular OLED display to show the correct perspective to anyone viewing the wearer.
Vision Pro can transform a space into a personal movie theatre and watch immersive videos. With Environments, a user's world can grow beyond the dimensions of a physical room with dynamic landscapes that can help them focus. Vision Pro also allows users to connect to their Mac and expand its display in a virtual space, including alongside apps running on Vision Pro itself.
In FaceTime calls, everyone on the call is reflected in life-size tiles. Users wearing Vision Pro during a FaceTime call are shown as a Persona — a digital representation of themselves.
Optic ID uses a wearer's iris to authenticate users and unlock the Vision Pro headset. Vision Pro is also "Apple's first 3D camera," showing depth in video with Spatial Audio.
visionOS
visionOS offers an infinite canvas for apps and a three-dimensional user interface. Apps react to lighting and cast shadows. Upon putting on the headset, a Home view floats in the world in front of you to feel "truly present" in your room.
visionOS introduces an all-new platform for developers to create app experiences. iPhone and iPad apps can run in visionOS to provide a large number of apps upon the device's launch. It will feature a brand new App Store to discover apps built for visionOS as well as compatible iPhone and iPad apps.
