Apple today released the third betas of upcoming iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple released the second betas of iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2.
Registered developers are able to opt into the betas by opening up the Settings app, going to the Software Update section, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option, and toggling on the iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 Developer Beta. An Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.
The biggest new feature in iOS 17.2 is the Journal app, which can be used to record daily activities and thoughts. You can write about your day to day life, but Apple also provides topic suggestions based on the music you listen to, the places you visit, and the people you see. Journal entries support pictures, voice recordings, and location information, with the app organized by entry date.
In Apple Music, there's a Favorites playlist that houses everything you've favorited, plus Apple added support for collaborative playlists. You can now share a playlist with multiple people, and each participant can add songs.
Stickers can now be used to reply to iMessages when you long press on a chat bubble in the Messages app, and there's also now support for the extra-secure iMessage Contact Key Verification option. If you have an iPhone 15 Pro, the Action Button supports Translate in iOS 17.2, and there are new Weather and Clock widgets.
Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming macOS Sonoma 14.2 update to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple seeded the second beta of macOS Sonoma 14.2.
Registered developers can opt-in to the beta through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. Under Beta updates, toggle on the Sonoma Developer Beta. Note that an Apple ID associated with an Apple Developer account is required to get the beta.
macOS Sonoma 14.2 adds an Apple Music Favorites playlist that houses everything you've favorited, plus Apple added support for collaborative playlists. You can now share a playlist with multiple people, and each participant can add songs.
Shazam can also be added to the Control Center or menu bar on the Mac.
Stickers can be used to reply to iMessages when you long press on a chat bubble in the Messages app, and there's also now support for the extra-secure iMessage Contact Key Verification option.
Apple today seeded the sixth beta of visionOS, the software that runs on the Vision Pro headset. The fifth beta came out in late October, so it has been two weeks since Apple last released a visionOS update.
Only a limited number of developers have access to Vision Pro at this time, with the headsets used for app testing purposes. Most people do not have access to the visionOS beta, and it is not entirely clear what Apple is adding in each visionOS update.
Apple is letting developers attend Vision Pro labs around the world, and developers who visit these locations are able to test the Vision Pro in person and get help from Apple engineers on their visionOS apps.
The Vision Pro headset is not expected until early 2024, so Apple still has several months to refine the hardware and software.
Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming watchOS 10.2 update to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming a week after Apple seeded the first watchOS 10.2 beta.
To install the watchOS 10.2 update, developers will need to open the Apple Watch app, go to the Software Update section under "General" in Settings, and toggle on the watchOS 10 Developer Beta. An Apple ID linked to a developer account is required.
Once beta updates have been activated, watchOS 10 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 10.2 adds support for iMessage Contact Key Verification, a feature designed for those who face "extraordinary digital threats," such as journalists, human rights activists, and government officials.
Users can ensure that there is no "man in the middle" snooping on iMessage conversations, and there is a Contact Verification Code so that iMessage users can verify that they're speaking to the correct individual during in-person meetings or on FaceTime calls.
Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming tvOS 17.2 to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming a week after the release of the second tvOS 17.2 beta.
Registered developers are able to download the tvOS 17.2 update by opting in to the beta through the Settings app on the Apple TV. A registered developer account is required.
tvOS updates are often minor in scale compared to other operating system updates, focusing primarily on bug fixes and smaller improvements rather than notable outward-facing changes, but tvOS 17.2 introduces an overhauled Apple TV app.
The app now includes a sidebar that houses content from both Apple's services and streaming services that integrate with the tvOS Watch Now feature. There are dedicated sections for Search, Watch Now, Apple TV+, MLS Season Pass, Sports, the Store, and the Library at the top of the sidebar, along with dedicated sections for streaming services like ABC, CBS, Comedy Central, Hulu, ESPN, Discovery, Peacock, Prime Video, and more.
You can click into each streaming service to see content that's available specifically on that service, and there's also a new My TV section that replaces "My Channels."
Apple today shared its 2023 App Store award finalists, highlighting standout apps chosen by the App Store editorial team. Apple has picked almost 40 apps and games to showcase across 10 different categories.
"We are excited about the achievements of these App Store Award finalists who are helping users around the world to explore their interests in drawing, design, video editing, education, music, time management, working out, hiking, playing games, and so much more," said Phil Schiller, Apple Fellow. "These finalists are all incredibly talented and have put enormous effort into creating these great apps and games. We are inspired by their accomplishments and look forward to announcing the winners of the App Store Awards later this month."
Apple has selected iPhone, iPad, and Mac apps and games finalists, along with top Apple Watch apps, Apple TV apps, and Apple Arcade games.
According to Apple, the App Store award finalists were picked for "excellence, inventiveness, and technical achievement." They have helped Apple users "flex their creativity, challenge themselves, and have fun with family and friends."
Apple will pick a winner from each category (and several from the cultural category), with the winners to be announced in a few weeks. Winners receive a physical App Store award modeled after the design of the App Store logo.
TikTok today launched its new "Add to Music App" feature with support for Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music.
The feature allows users to directly save songs they find on TikTok to their preferred music streaming service library via an Add Song button located beside the track name at the bottom of a TikTok video. Users can also use the Add to Music App feature from an artist's Sound Detail page.
The first time a user presses the button, they will be asked to choose their preferred music streaming service and it will default to that service from then onwards. Any added songs will also be saved to a new playlist in the music app and users can select other playlists to add to if they wish. The Add to Music App feature is now available in the U.S. and UK, with more countries to follow.
Phone brand Nothing today announced plans to introduce a new "Nothing Chats" app that features iMessage compatibility later this month.
The app is powered by Sunbird, an unofficial iMessage client that debuted last year with over 10,000 downloads on the Google Play Store. To use the Nothing Chats app with iMessage, users will need to log in with their Apple ID. The app touts end-to-end encryption in line with Sunbird's privacy policy.
In a new video, Nothing CEO Carl Pei explained that the app will support individual and group chats, typing indicators, full-size media sharing, and voice notes. Features like read receipts, message reactions, and replies will be added later.
Nothing Chats will also support RCS messaging on the Phone (2). The app will be available in the U.S., UK, and EU from Friday, November 17.
Today we're tracking a series of discounts on popular iPad and iPhone accessories, most of which have hit all-time low prices ahead of Black Friday. This includes the Magic Keyboard Folio, 11-inch Magic Keyboard, Apple Pencil 2, and MagSafe Duo Charger.
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.
Starting with the Apple Pencil 2, Amazon has the stylus for $89.00 right now, down from $129.00. This is about $5 higher than the previous Amazon all-time low price, so it's still a solid deal.
Moving to the iPad keyboards, Amazon is discounting the Magic Keyboard Folio to $169.00, down from $249.00. This keyboard works with the 10th generation iPad, and Amazon's new sale price is now the steepest discount we've ever tracked for this accessory.
If you have an 11-inch iPad Pro, you can match it with the 11-inch iPad Pro Magic Keyboard for $199.00 on Amazon, down from $299.00. This one is available in both White and Black colors, and it's another best-ever price.
The only downside is Amazon's current shipping estimate, which has a generous one to four week estimate for shipping. This still guarantees a delivery by Christmas, so if you're looking to buy it as a present and want to take advantage of this solid discount, now is definitely the time to buy.
Lastly, Amazon has the MagSafe Duo Charger for $98.50 this week, down from $129.00. Woot had this accessory for around $94 last week, but that sale has now expired and Amazon's is now a solid second-best price for anyone who missed Woot's discount.
If you're looking for just the MagSafe Charger, that Woot sale is still available. You can get it for $29.99 in new condition (with bulk packaging) over there, which beats Amazon's current sale by about $5.
You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2023.
Next year's iPhone 16 could feature a more power-efficient display thanks to a new OLED material set that is reportedly being developed by Samsung specifically for Apple.
A material set includes a variety of components for OLED screens, such as capping layers (CPL), which adjust the optical characteristics of the screen. Each component is produced by a specialist manufacturer and supplied to Samsung, which then uses them to construct the final OLED panel.
A different composition of materials in the set can alter attributes of the OLED panel, such as lifespan, brightness, color accuracy, or manufacturing efficiency.
Back in April, The Elecreported that Samsung was using its "M12" material set for this year's iPhone 15 models, while also developing a new OLED material set, dubbed "M14," specifically for Apple's 2024 iPhones. The precise reason for the development was not known at the time, but a new report from the Korean-language outlet suggests it could be related to making the OLED panel more energy efficient.
Citing Korean Ubi Research analyst Daejeong Yoon, The Elec now reports that Samsung's OLED development roadmap has been focused on replacing blue fluorescent materials with a blue phosphorescence that could reduce the overall power consumption of an OLED panel.
According to Yoon, Samsung originally intended to use the more power-efficient material in OLED panels developed for a variety of foldable phones in 2024, but it is not easy to develop, and Samsung could instead reserve it for Apple's M14 material set.
"Following the iPhone 16 next year, M14 will be applied to the iPhone 17 in 2025, and the application period for the Apple iPhone OLED material set will increase to two years," Yoon was quoted as saying.
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are expected to have larger display sizes, according to multiple sources. The iPhone 16 Pro will have a display that's 6.27 inches in size (rounded to 6.3), while the iPhone 16 Pro Max is expected to have a display that's 6.85 inches in size (rounded to 6.9).
A previous report in September suggested iPhone 16 OLED panels could use micro-lens technology to maintain or increase the brightness of the displays while potentially reducing their power consumption.
Meanwhile an earlier report in May claimed that Apple intends to mass produce more advanced microLED displays in order to lessen its reliance on Samsung and increase its own control over supply, laying the groundwork to realize its ultimate goal of bringing the next-generation technology to iPhones.
When Meta launched Threads in July, one of the complaints users had about the platform was that it was impossible to delete your Threads profile without also deleting your Instagram account.
Up until now, the only alternative was to "temporarily" deactivate your Threads profile. This option makes your posts and interactions with others invisible on the platform, but it leaves your posts on Meta's servers unless you go through them and manually delete them one by one.
Thankfully, Instagram head Adam Mosseri on Monday posted that the company was finally doing something to resolve the issue – it's in the process of rolling out a way to delete or deactivate a Threads profile separately while leaving the associated Instagram account intact.
The following steps show you how to delete your Threads profile, as per Mosseri's instructions.
In the Threads app, tap the profile icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Tap the two-line menu icon in the top right of your profile.
Tap Account, then tap Delete or Deactivate Profile.
Tap Delete profile, then confirm your choice.
If you don't see the option, the rollout hasn't reached you just yet, but it shouldn't be long before it pops up, so check back in a day or two.
According to Mosseri, Threads is also rolling out a way for users to prevent their Threads posts from appearing on Facebook and Instagram. When the rollout is complete, users can find two options in the Privacy section of the app's settings, under "Suggesting posts on other apps." Tapping this will reveal separate switches to turn off suggestions on Instagram and Facebook.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on a company earnings call last month that Threads now has "just under" 100 million monthly users. Since its launch earlier this year it has gained a web app, an ability to search for posts, and a post editing feature. However, the app still isn't available in the EU because Meta hasn't yet worked out how to comply with the bloc's Digital Markets Act regulations.
Apple has announced Tap to Pay on iPhone in France, allowing independent sellers, small merchants, and large retailers in the country to use iPhones as a payment terminal.
Tap to Pay first arrived in February 2022 in the US, and allows iPhones to accept payments via Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets. All transactions are encrypted, and Apple has no information about what is purchased or the person who made the purchase.
No additional hardware or credit card machine is required to use Tap to Pay on iPhone. The feature uses NFC technology to securely authenticate the contactless payments, plus the feature also supports PIN entry, which includes accessibility options.
"We are very excited to offer Tap to Pay on iPhone to merchants throughout France, so that they have a simple, secure and confidential way to accept contactless payments while benefiting from the power, security and usability of the iPhone," said Jennifer Bailey, Apple Vice President of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. "With more than 90% of bank cards in France equipped with contactless technology, and the increasing adoption of contactless payments, merchants will be able to accept payments from their customers with a simple gesture on their iPhone."
The banking group BPCE (Banques Populaires, Caisses d'Epargne and Payplug) and along with Adyen, myPOS, Revolut, SumUp, Viva Wallet, and Worldline now offer Tap to Pay on iPhone to French customers. They will soon be joined by BNP Paribas, Crédit Coopératif, Market Pay, Stancer and Stripe, according to Apple.
Tap to Pay on iPhone requires iPhone XS or newer models, and works for customers as any normal Apple Pay transaction would. Sellers just need to open up the app, register the sale, and present their iPhone to the buyer, who can then use an appropriate contactless payment method.
France becomes the eighth region to support Tap to Pay, following similar rollouts in the U.K., Australia, Taiwan, Brazil, Ukraine, and the Netherlands earlier in the year.
Apple is beta testing iOS 17.2, the second major update to the iOS 17 operating system that came out in September. We are expecting to see a public launch in December, so there are still several betas to go before the software debuts.
This guide includes everything new in the iOS 17.2 beta, and we'll be updating it throughout the beta testing period.
Journal App
iOS 17.2 includes the Journal app that Apple announced as part of iOS 17. With the Journal app, users can record their daily activities and thoughts, with Apple providing optional prompts that can be used as inspiration.
A Journal entry can be added by tapping on the "+" button in the Journal app, and from there, users can choose a suggestion as the basis for their writing or just opt for "New Entry" to write anything at all.
Entries are automatically tagged with a date for organizational purposes, but there are options for bookmarking, too. Journal entries can include images, voice recordings, and location tags.
Messages App Sticker Reactions
You can now long press on any chat bubble in the Messages app to add a sticker response that serves as an alternative to a tapback reaction. Tapping on "Add Sticker" lets you choose either a sticker or an emoji to apply to the corner of an iMessage.
There was already an option to drag a sticker or an emoji onto any message bubble, but this is a much quicker method of quickly responding to an incoming message with a quick graphic that is more expressive than a tapback reaction.
Spatial Video Recording
With iOS 17.2, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max can be used to record spatial video that will be viewable in the Photos app on the Vision Pro headset.
Spatial video recording can be enabled by going to the Settings app, tapping into the Camera section, selecting Formats, and toggling on "Spatial Video for Apple Vision Pro." Apple says that for best results when recording spatial video, the iPhone should be held stable in landscape orientation while capturing video. Video is recorded at 30 frames per second at 1080p, and one minute of video takes up 130MB of storage space.
When spatial videos captured with an iPhone are viewed on the iPhone, they appear as normal videos. Viewing the video in 3D requires the Vision Pro headset.
Collaborative Apple Music Playlists
There is was an option to create a playlist in Apple Music that multiple people can add to, but Apple removed the feature in the fourth beta and it is not clear if it is coming back before iOS 17.2 launches.
Favorites Apple Music Playlist
Songs that you have favorited in the Apple Music app are now aggregated into a Favorites playlist.
Apple Music Favorite Songs
In the Music section of the Settings app, there is now an option to add songs to your Music Library when they are favorited. The feature is toggled on by default, but it can be turned off if desired.
The option to "Favorite" songs was added in iOS 17.1.
Apple Music Listening History Focus Filter
There is a Focus Filter for the Apple Music Listening History feature, so if you want to let someone else use your device to listen to music, you can activate this to turn off the Listening History so their song choices won't affect your recommendations.
When the Action button is set as Translate, pressing to hold causes the iPhone to pop up a Translate window that listens for spoken text. It is able to translate from one set language to another, using the languages that you have previously set up in the Translate app.
Keyboard
Apple has added an option to disable inline predictions when typing. It can be accessed by opening up the Settings app, choosing General, going to Keyboard, and scrolling down to the "Show Predictions Inline" option.
iMessage Contact Key Verification
First previewed in December 2022, iMessage Contact Key Verification is a feature designed for those who face "extraordinary digital threats," such as journalists, human rights activists, and government officials.
Users can ensure that there is no "man in the middle" snooping on iMessage conversations, and there is an option to display a Contact Verification Code so that iMessage users can verify that they're speaking to the correct individual during in-person meetings or on FaceTime calls.
Messages in iCloud Syncing
The "Messages" section in iCloud in the Settings app has been renamed to "Messages in iCloud." It shows the total amount of storage that messages are taking up, the number of messages synced to iCloud, and the time of the last sync. There's also a "Sync Now" option to force an update.
Apple previously said that additional settings would be synced through Messages in iCloud in iOS 17, like Text Message Forwarding, Send & Receive accounts, and SMS filters across devices, so this may see those additional settings syncing.
Code in iOS 17.2 asp confirms that Apple is planning to eliminate the option to purchase TV shows and movies in the iTunes app. TV and movie content will need to be purchased in the TV app in the future, but for now, the change has not actually been implemented. "You can buy or rent TV shows and find your purchases in the Apple TV app," reads the code.
Phone and FaceTime
In the Phone and FaceTime settings, there is a Share Name and Photo option that uses the Contact Poster. Name and Photo Sharing can be toggled off, set to Contacts Only, or set to Always Ask, which prompts you before sharing that information with others.
This setting was previously available for the Messages app.
FaceTime
If you join a FaceTime call that includes a contact you have blocked, you will now get a warning. Apple provides warnings when joining a call with a blocked contact, or when a blocked contact is joining a call you're already on.
Emergency Alerts Local Awareness
Under Notifications & Emergency Alerts in the Settings app, there is a new "Local Awareness" option that can be turned on. Apple says that Local Awareness uses your approximate location to improve the timeliness, accuracy, and reliability of emergency alerts.
Weather Widgets
There are new Details, Daily Forecast, and Sunrise/Sunset widgets for the Weather app. Details shows information like precipitation chance, UV index, wind speed, and air quality, while Daily Forecast offers the weather for the next few days in a small widget size. Sunrise/Sunset shows the sunrise and sunset times for each day.
Digital Clock Widget
There is a new Digital Clock widget that can be added to the Home Screen or Lock Screen.
Contact Posters
You can now select rainbow-colored text for your name when setting up a Contact Poster in the Contacts app.
Books Page-Turning Animation
There's a new "Fast Fade" option for the page-turning animation in the Books app. Apple has also removed the icon that you could turn on to scroll through content quickly.
AirPlay
There's a new "AirPlay Receiver" setting that will allow the upcoming Apple Vision Pro headset to stream or share content to an iPhone.
It also looks like the AirPlay feature for hotels that Apple announced earlier this year is live or will be live soon. It is designed to let you AirPlay content from your iPhone or iPad to an AirPlay-equipped smart TV.
Memoji
Apple added a "Body" section for Memoji where users can customize waist, bust, shoulders, and arms.
News App
The News app now supports Live Activities for following news-related events such as elections.
Expanded Sensitive Content Warnings
Apple's opt-in Sensitive Content Warning feature is expanding to Contact Posters in the Contacts and Phone apps, as well as in stickers in the Messages app. Sensitive Content Warnings use on-device machine learning to blur out photos or videos with any nudity detected before users view them.
App Store Categories
The "Apps" and "Games" sections of the App Store have new top bar navigation that allows users to scroll through various app categories, exploring apps in that category with a tap.
The categories mirror the categories that can be found at the bottom of each App Store section, and it is a layout that Apple has previously used for Apple Arcade.
AppleCare+ Coverage Menu
The AppleCare+ "Coverage" menu is now in Settings > General rather than Settings > General > About, making it more visible than before. The Coverage interface lists AppleCare+ on your device and any paired AirPods.
Siri
Siri in iOS 17.2 can provide details on an estimated time of arrival when there are active turn-by-turn directions in the Maps app, and the personal assistant can provide altitude data.
Photos
When opening the Photos app after updating to iOS 17.2 beta 3, there is a prompt to allow Photos to access the Apple Music library. Photos is then able to use Apple Music to curate songs for Memories.
Photos is listed as an app accessing Apple Music under Settings > Privacy and Security after enabling access. Note that Photos already had this capability, but Apple now offers an option to turn off access.
Recording to an External Device
With the iPhone 15 Pro models, ProRes video can be recorded directly to an external device. iOS 17.2 appears to include a new pop up message that lets users know that external recording is not working because of a USB-C cable that is too slow.
There was previously a warning about an external storage device not having a fast enough write speed to support external recording, but now there is an added message about the write speed of the USB-C cable.
AppleCare Settings
The "Coverage" section under Settings > General has been renamed to AppleCare & Warranty. It still includes AppleCare info for your iPhone and connected devices such as the Apple Watch and AirPods.
Under General > About there's a new Warranty section that provides coverage information for the iPhone.
Default Notification Sound
Under Sounds & Haptics, there's a new "Default Alerts" section that allows you to choose the sound used for all incoming notifications aside from texts, mail alerts, and calendar alerts, which already had customization options.
All of the text tones can be used for the default notification sound, plus there is an option to also change the haptic vibration of default notifications.
More iOS 17.2 Beta Features
Know of a feature that we've missed on this list? Let us know in the comments below.
Apple last week launched its new MacBook Pro models with M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips. We already took a look at the M3 Pro MacBook Pro, but we also wanted to test out the top-of-the-line M3 Max chip to see how it measures up.
While the M3 Pro's performance was disappointing overall compared to the M2 Pro and even the M1 Pro, the same can't be said of the M3 Max. Using Geekbench, the M3 Max is about as fast as the M2 Ultra, earning a single-core score of 3217 and a multi-core score of 21597. The M2 Max has a single-core score of 2737 and a multi-core score of 14503, and the difference is even more pronounced compared to the 2021 M1 Max, the first 16-inch MacBook Pro to get an Apple silicon chip. The M1 Max has a single-core score of 2379 and a multi-core score of 12206.
Other benchmarking tests show similar major improvements between the 2023 M3 Max and the 2021 M1 Max. In Cinebench, the M3 Max earned a multi-core CPU score of 1601, compared to a 788 score from the M1 Max. A classroom render in Blender took three and a half minutes with the M3 Max machine, and eight and a half minutes with the M1 Max machine.
Exporting a 16 minute 4K video with multiple effects took five and a half minutes on the M3 Max, and seven and a half minutes on the M1 Max.
As for SSD speeds, those were about the same. The M1 Max saw read/write scores of 5727/5980, respectively, while the M3 Max had read/write scores of 5032/6197, respectively.
You'll want to watch our full video for a more detailed comparison between the two machines, which gives a useful look into just how far Apple silicon has come in two years. The M1 Max is still a super fast chip and you're probably not going to want to upgrade to the M3 Max if you've already got an M1 Max machine, but in some tests, the new chip is up to twice as fast.
As Google battles an antitrust lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice, secrets about its search deals with Apple have been leaking out. We previously learned that Google is paying Apple billions of dollars to be the primary search engine on Apple devices, and now, Bloomberg has shared the total percentage of Google's revenue that Apple earns.
Google pays Apple 36 percent of the total revenue that it earns from searches conducted on the Safari browser on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with the number shared by an economics expert testifying on Apple's behalf. According to Bloomberg, Google's main lawyer "visibly cringed" when the revenue data was shared, as it was meant to remain confidential.
Last month, wealth management company Bernstein suggested that Apple is getting anywhere from $18 billion to $20 billion per year, representing somewhere around 15 percent of Apple's total annual operating profits.
Apple and Google have both worked to keep details in the antitrust lawsuit private, claiming that publicly sharing the information would "undermine Google's competitive standing."
Google has been the default search engine on Apple devices since 2002, though the agreement between the two tech companies has been revised multiple times. Apple earns a ton of money from the deal, while Google gets to be the default search option on the world's most popular smartphone.
The United States Department of Justice is investigating Google because it believes that Google has a search monopoly. Google's lucrative search engine deal with Apple has been a main focus of the legal battle, which is expected to last until the end of November.
In October, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said that the agreement between Apple and Google has made it impossible for other search engines like Bing to compete. "You get up in the morning, you brush your teeth, and you search on Google," said Nadella. "With that level of habit forming, the only way to change is by changing defaults."
Microsoft at one point approached Apple about buying Bing, which would have allowed Apple to create its own search engine, but Apple was not interested. The company was concerned that Bing would not be able to compete with Google in "quality and capabilities," and also, Apple had no motivation to lose out on the money that it earns from Google.
Apple services chief Eddy Cuetestified in the trial in October, and he said that Google is the iPhone's default search engine because it is the best option. "We make Google be the default search engine because we've always thought it was the best," Cue said. Apple has not been able to make changes to the arrangement because there is no "valid alternative."
While Google is the default search engine on Apple devices, users can opt to swap to Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, or Ecosia as an alternative, but doing so requires going into the Safari browser's settings.
If Google loses the antitrust lawsuit, and there is a chance that could happen, the deal between Apple and Google could be dissolved. Apple could be pushed into allowing customers to choose a search engine option when setting up an Apple device rather than having Google set as the default.
Losing out on billions of dollars from Google could potentially be the catalyst Apple needs to develop its own search engine, and Apple has indeed considered building a search solution. Apple's AI chief John Giannandrea runs a search team within Apple, and that team has developed a next-generation search engine for Apple apps that could potentially serve as the basis for a full Google Search alternative.
Should the Google/Apple deal come to an end, it could be several years before changes are required. A decision in the lawsuit won't come for some time, and once its does, we can expect a lengthy appeals process if it does not go Google's way.
Apple introduced the Lightning port in September 2012 with the launch of the iPhone 5. The connector was a significant change from the previous 30-pin connector used in Apple devices, offering a smaller, more efficient connection that could be inserted either way up, enhancing ease of use.
In September 2023, over a decade later, Apple caught up with the rest of the industry and removed the Lightning port from its flagship iPhone 15 series, replacing it with USB-C, the widely adopted standard used in electronics for connectivity and charging.
And yet the Lightning port lives on in a variety of hardware still sold by Apple. We've compiled this list of Lightning products in one place so you won't be surprised when your USB-C to USB-C cables don't fit your new purchase.
iPhone SE (2022)
Apple introduced the third-generation iPhone SE in March 2022. The $429 iPhone comes with an A15 Bionic chip, 5G connectivity, and Touch ID for those who prefer a Home button. And a Lightning port.
iPhone 13
In 2021, Apple unveiled the iPhone 13 as the successor to the popular iPhone 12, with improved rear cameras, longer battery life, the A15 Bionic chip, and more. It starts at $599, Lightning port included.
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus
The iPhone 14 now sits in the middle of Apple's iPhone lineup below the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, but above the iPhone SE and iPhone 13. The iPhone 13 starts at $599, and is still highly capable for everyday use, if you love Lightning ports. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are priced at $699 and $799, respectively.
iPad (9th generation)
A lower-priced alternative to the latest 10th-generation iPad, the ninth-generation iPad has remained on sale since September 2021 and goes for $329 - $120 less than its successor. This device sports the A13 Bionic chip and an older design with a smaller display, but the Lightning port is the same size.
AirPods Max
Introduced in December 2020, the AirPods Max have now been in Apple's product lineup for three years. Apple is expected to replace the Lightning port for USB-C to comply with European regulations and for consistency across its AirPods lineup, but not until late 2024. Staying retro until then, but in a high-tech way.
Apple Pencil (1st generation)
There are three versions of the Apple Pencil that Apple still sells. This first version was released in 2015, the second version was released in 2018, and the third version was released in 2023. The first-generation has a Lightning adapter and charges by plugging into a lightning port on either an iPad or a charging adapter, the second-generation Apple Pencil charges wirelessly, but the latest Apple Pencil has a futuristic USB-C port.
Magic Keyboard
The Magic Keyboard is sold in several variations by Apple, and all with a Lightning port for charging and connectivity. Even the newly announced M3 iMac is still accompanied by a Magic Keyboard with a Lightning port for pairing and charging, rather than USB-C as rumored.
Magic Mouse
The only mouse that insists on doing a backflip to recharge. It's almost a joke, but the $99 Magic Mouse still retains the clownish Lightning port on the underside. It's pretty amazing Apple still has this thing around, and is even prepared to ship new iMacs with one.
Magic Trackpad
Surprisingly, a Magic Trackpad with USB-C is still a fantasy. Technically, you could always buy a MacBook, but that works out pricier.
Cables and Adapters
Apple also sells a variety of cables and adapters that feature Lightning connections and ports, so keep an eye out if you're shopping Apple's accessories for your legacy devices.
Production of OLED displays designed for the next-generation iPad Pro will begin in February 2024, the Korea Herald reports.
Sources familiar with the matter speaking to the Korea Herald claim that LG Display is set to initiate OLED production for the new iPad Pro as early as February next year at their facility in Paju, Gyeonggi Province – a time frame around three months sooner than previously expected. The displays are expected to be three times the price of those used in iPhones, which could translate to higher prices for customers. The information largely corroborates a report from last week.
The current 11-inch iPad Pro is equipped with an LCD panel, while the 12.9-inch model features mini-LED backlighting for increased brightness and a higher contrast ratio. OLED technology would eliminate the need for backlighting, with benefits including even higher contrast ratio with deeper blacks, lower power consumption, and more. Apple is expected to use very thin hybrid OLED displays with a combination of flexible and rigid materials, which could allow the next iPad Pro models to be slightly thinner.
Apple is reportedly seeking around 10 million OLED panels for the iPad in 2024. LG is expected to supply around 60% of the OLED panels, with the remaining portion supplied by Samsung, which is expected to focus on the 11-inch model only. Production of the panels for the next-generation iPad Pro is expected to help LG Displays' financial recovery next year. LG and Samsung are said to be currently finalizing price negotiations with Apple.
In addition to OLED display technology, the next-generation iPad Pro models are expected to feature slightly larger screens, the M3 chip, and a redesigned Magic Keyboard accessory.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects the new iPad Pro models to launch in the second quarter of 2024, which runs from April to June. This timeline broadly aligns with the latest rumor from the Korea Herald.
Apple internally believes its iOS 18, macOS 15, watchOS 11, and tvOS 18 updates next year will be "ambitious and compelling," thanks to major new software features and designs in the works for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Mac. That's according to the latest information relayed by Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman.
While little is known about the specifics, many of the changes are believed to involve generative AI, including a smarter version of Siri that takes the virtual assistant's integration with the operating systems to a new level. According to the leaker @Tech_Reve, Apple is relying on large-language models (LLMs) to completely revamp Siri and make it the "ultimate virtual assistant" and "Apple's most powerful killer AI app."
Apple is reportedly working on revamped interaction between Siri and the Messages app, enabling users to field complex questions and auto-complete sentences more effectively, according to Gurman. We may also see auto-generated Apple Music playlists and integration with productivity apps like Pages and Keynote, such as AI-assisted writing and slide deck creation.
Apple is said to be on course to spend $1 billion per year on AI research, with some of the company's biggest executive names overseeing development. Indeed, Gurman says the company is "racing to catch up with Google and OpenAI" in the generative AI space, and with few major iPhone 16 hardware advances on the cards next year, the stakes are even higher. As a result, Gurman believes iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 could be "groundbreaking" relative to updates in the last few years.
With so much riding on the outcome, however, Apple is said to be taking a particularly cautious approach to its software development. Recently we learned that all development on future features was paused within Apple to allow its engineers to work solely on improving the existing software.
According to Gurman, Apple last month finished the first "M1" versions of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15, but the software engineering management team found too many bugs that were missed in internal testing, so a week was set aside to address the issues. Development has since resumed, but Apple is still said to be debating whether to deploy its new generative AI technology via the cloud, as an on-device experience, or a mixture of both.
Apple is expected to reveal its LLM-powered version of Siri at WWDC 2024 during its iOS 18 developer preview, although other generative AI features it is working on could be exclusive to iPhone 16 models and therefore may not be revealed until Apple launches its next-generation flagship smartphones in September 2024.
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