MacRumors

Apple is weighing up the use of micro-lens technology to maintain or increase the brightness of OLED displays on next year's iPhone 16 models while potentially reducing their power consumption, reports The Elec.

According to the Korean outlet, Apple display suppliers Samsung and LG have offered to apply micro-lens arrays (MLA) to the OLED panels, but the technology has both pros and cons that Apple needs to consider.

MLA works by using a uniform pattern of billions of lenses inside the panel that reduces internal reflections. These lenses turn the path of light reflected backwards from the inside of the panel towards the screen, which can serve either to increase perceived brightness while maintaining the same level of power consumption, or maintain brightness levels while consuming less power compared to conventional OLED panels at the same luminance.

However, while MLA straightens the path of light to increase frontal luminance, in some use cases it can also reduce side luminance, which from a user perspective narrows the display's field of view. Not only that, applying MLA to the OLED panels would increase the manufacturing cost.

Another complicating factor is that the material sets being developed by the two suppliers are different, and both are still said to fall short of Apple's standards. Apple has yet to give a final response to the MLA application proposal from the Korean companies, according to the report.

Apple's decision appears to hinge on whether the efficiency of the OLED material set can be improved upon between now and when ‌iPhone 16‌ mass production begins in the second half of 2024.

If the amount of light sent to the front of the panel can be at least maintained at a reduced power consumption rate while avoiding a narrowing of the viewing angle, then MLA implementation may be considered worthwhile. However, this depends on the performance of the OLED material set, and the sets of the two domestic panel companies are said to be different.

Samsung has more experience applying MLA to OLED panels. For example, it has used the technology in some of its own Galaxy S Ultra models, and has also delivered MLA-applied OLED panels to Chinese mobile vendors such as Vivo. LG meanwhile has applied MLA to some of its larger OLED smart TVs, but has little to no experience of applying it to small and medium-sized panels, where the direction of light is adjusted differently.

Looking further ahead, a separate 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.

The optional Pro Stand for Apple's high-end Pro Display XDR monitor is currently sold out on Apple's online store in the U.S., as reported by 9to5Mac's Zac Hall. It's unclear if or when the $999 stand will be in stock again, or if this hints at an upcoming refresh to the Pro Display XDR, which was released in December 2019.

The stand remains available on Apple's online store in some other countries, such as the U.K. and Canada, but it faces a 2-3 week shipping estimate or longer.

The Pro Display XDR itself also faces a lengthy shipping delay. In the U.S., Apple currently provides a late September delivery estimate.

There haven't been any credible rumors about a new Pro Display XDR launching imminently, but in December 2022, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple was working on multiple new monitors, including an updated Pro Display XDR. The nearly four-year-old monitor features a 32-inch screen with 6K resolution, and starts at $4,999 without the Pro Stand. For the next model, customers are hoping for a webcam, speakers, and a higher refresh rate.

In March 2022, Apple released a more affordable Studio Display with a 27-inch screen and 5K resolution, and it remains in stock on the company's online store.

Apple announced that it will be holding an event on Tuesday, September 12, but Mac-related announcements are more likely in October. At the September event, Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 15 series, new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra models, and updated AirPods with a USB-C charging case.

Update: According to AppleInsider's Mike Wuerthele, the Pro Stand has been out of stock at least seven times since September 2022, including most of January, and half of February. Therefore, this appears to be another routine shortage, and is unlikely to be indicative of an imminent Pro Display XDR refresh.

Update: The Pro Stand is back in stock on Apple's online store in the U.S. as of September 1. Nothing to see here!

Photography app Obscura was today updated to version 4, and developer Ben McCarthy says it's a revamp that has been in the works for more than a year. Much of the app has been rebuilt from scratch to make the app more intuitive to use.

Aimed at photography enthusiasts, Obscura has a wide range of features, but it is also simple enough that it can be used casually. The updated design puts the camera controls that you need most front and center so they're easily accessible, with additional tools packed into radial menus.

Exposure, focus, white balance, and other parameters can be dialed in using the control options, and haptic feedback makes it feel similar to using an actual camera. The new layout is meant to make it easy to reach controls one-handed, so a shot can be set up within a few seconds.

Videos, photos, Live Photos, and portraits are supported, so it has much of the same functionality that's available in the built-in Camera app on the iPhone, plus there are multiple filters that can be applied before a shot is taken so you know exactly what your image will look like.

The newest version of Obscura works not only on the iPhone, but also on the iPad. The camera controls on ‌iPad‌ are the same as the iPhone, but it has a sidebar for navigating through albums.

Obscura has been updated with a subscription model. It can be downloaded for free from the App Store, but unlocking all of the features will require the Ultra upgrade that's priced at $9.99 per year. Through September 11, the app can be purchased for $7.99 for the first year.

A free trial is available, and customers who already had Obscura 3 will have all of the features included in that update. New premium features will require an Ultra subscription going forward, however, and current users can upgrade for $4.99 for the first year.

Premium features available to existing Obscura 3 users and new Obscura 4 Ultra subscribers include RAW and ProRAW capture, Portrait and ‌Live Photos‌ capture, 48-megapixel images, image filters, manual exposure, and more, with more information available on the Obscura website.

Apple accessory maker Belkin today introduced several new products that are available now or coming in the future, including two Qi2 wireless chargers, a Thunderbolt 4 hub, wall chargers, and more.

The BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Qi2 and the BoostCharge Convertible Qi2 Wireless Pad to Stand will both feature the newest Qi wireless charging specification. With Qi2, Apple's iPhones that support the protocol will be able to charge at up to 15W without the need for Apple's specific MagSafe charging equipment.

Qi2 allows accessory makers to make more affordable wireless charging hardware because there is no need to license technology from Apple. Apple plans to support Qi2 in future iPhones, but it is not yet clear how the technology will work with existing iPhones. The 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad will be able to charge an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, plus it is designed to be compact so that it can be used for traveling. The Wireless Pad to Stand is convertible and also easy to fold up and take on the go.

Belkin's BoostCharge Pro 140W 4-Port GaN Wall Charger has three USB-C ports and a USB-A port, allowing it to charge a MacBook Pro, iPhone, and iPad at once with the power split between the ports.

The 25W Hybrid Wall Charger and 5K Power Bank is wall charger that also serves as a power bank so that users can charge from a wall socket or from the built-in battery.

Belkin today also introduced a new Connect 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Hub that is equipped with four Thunderbolt 4 ports and a USB-A port. It supports 40Gb/s speeds for data transfer, and it works with two monitors. Up to six devices can be daisy chained, and 96W power delivery is available.

Belkin's 3-in-1 Qi2 Charging Pad is set to be available later this year, while the Wireless Pad to Stand will be available in the first quarter of 2024. The Hybrid Wall Charger and Power Bank will also be available later this year, while the 140W 4-Port Wall Charger and 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Hub can be purchased starting today.

Apple today updated its iTunes Movie Trailers app for the iPhone with a notice that the Apple TV app is the new home of movie and TV show trailers. It is no longer possible to use the iTunes Movie Trailers app, which launched in 2011.

"Apple TV app is the new home of iTunes Movie Trailers," says the release notes for version 2.0 of the iTunes Movie Trailers app. "Open the Apple TV app to watch trailers."

The accompanying iTunes Movie Trailers website is also no longer available following the transition to the Apple TV app, which began earlier this month.

In the Apple TV app, there is now a "Watch the Latest Trailers" section in the Store tab, although it might not be visible in all countries.

Apple has been gradually retiring the iTunes brand in recent years. Since the release of macOS Catalina in 2019, the iTunes app has no longer been available on the Mac, as it was split up into separate Music, Podcasts, and TV apps. iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch syncing functionality from iTunes was moved to the Finder app.

Apple today added 2017 models of the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar to its vintage products list worldwide.

Apple classifies a device as vintage five years after it was last distributed for sale. Vintage products are no longer guaranteed to be eligible for repairs at Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers, with service subject to parts availability.

Apple also added the Mid 2015 model of the 15-inch MacBook Pro without the Touch Bar to the vintage products list. This model remained sold until 2018.

The upcoming macOS Sonoma update is compatible with 2018 and newer MacBook Pro models.

Apple first introduced the Touch Bar in 2016. Nowadays, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is the only model that remains available with the Touch Bar. Apple reverted to physical function keys with the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro in 2021.

Eve Systems today announced the upcoming launch of the Eve Play, an audio streaming interface created for AirPlay 2. Eve Play adds ‌AirPlay‌ streaming capabilities to existing amplifiers, active speakers, and sound bars, allowing them to be synchronized with other ‌AirPlay‌ speakers for whole-house audio.

The Eve Play includes RCA connectors, optical digital outputs, and coaxial digital outputs, along with an Ethernet port and the option to connect to either 2.4 or 5GHz WiFi. According to Eve, the digital-to-analog converter has a signal-to-noise ratio of 112 dB for an "audiophile sound experience."

When used with the Apple Home app and Apple Music, the Eve Play can be integrated into automations similar to other AirPlay-equipped devices.

Alongside the Eve Play, Eve today introduced the Eve Thermo Control, a wireless temperature sensor and controller for rooms that are equipped with the Eve Thermo smart radiator valve. The Eve Thermo radiator valve is sold in Europe, so the new temperature sensor is also designed for the European market.

The Eve Thermo Control senses the ambient temperature and relays it to the smart radiator valve for more accurate climate control.

In November, Eve plans to release a Matter update for Eve MotionBlinds roller blind motors and the Eve MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit, adding Adaptive Shading as a free upgrade feature. Adaptive Shading allows the blinds to open and close automatically based on location, date, and time.

Eve Play is priced at $150 and it will be available starting on November 14. The Eve Thermo Control is priced at €79.95 and will also be available on the same day. More information is available on the Eve website.

Anker is announcing updates to two of its most popular charging accessory lineups today: the USB-C Nano series and the MagGo wireless charger family.

The new USB-C Nano updates complement existing power adapters and primarily involve two new power banks that are well-timed for the iPhone's imminent transition to USB-C. The first is a new Anker Nano Power Bank with integrated folding USB-C connector. The company introduced a similar version with a Lightning connector earlier this year, but the new USB-C version will offer flexibility to charge a wider array of products. The folding USB-C connector makes it ideal for travel and means no additional cable is needed to recharge your devices.

In addition to the built-in USB-C connector that allows for both input and output, there is a USB-C port that can be used to recharge the power bank or to charge other devices via cable at up to 22.5 watts depending on the charging protocol.

Overall, the power bank measures in at just 3.0 inches by 1.4 inches by 1.0 inches, and it has a capacity of 5,000 mAh, which was enough to add about 40% charge to an 11-inch iPad Pro in my testing. It's available in five colors and is priced at $29.99 at Anker and Amazon.

The second new power bank is a higher-end 10,000 mAh model with a clever built-in USB-C cable that doubles as a short lanyard for carrying the bank. The power bank supports up to 30 watts of input or output power for efficient charging speeds, and smart temperature monitoring helps maintain battery health.

As with some of Anker's other recent higher-end power banks, this one includes a screen that displays charging data such as the percent of charge remaining and the amount of time remaining until it's charged or depleted, calculated based on the real-time input or output. Aside from the integrated USB-C cable, there's an additional USB-C port and a USB-A port, allowing you to charge multiple devices simultaneously. With its bigger capacity, it was able to add about 80% charge to my 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌.

Like the smaller power bank, this one is also available in five colors, and it's priced at $49.99 at Anker and Amazon.

Beyond the two new power banks, Anker's Nano series is also adding a new thin-profile 6-in-1 power strip featuring a pair of power outlets plus two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports. The USB-C ports support up to 67W USB Power Delivery 3.0. It's available for $67.99 at Anker and Amazon.

And while not strictly part of the Nano series, there's a new 10-foot version of Anker's USB-C to USB-C cable option with a bio-based braided design for strength, durability, and eco-friendliness, and it supports up to 240-watt charging. It's priced at $18.99 at Anker and Amazon.

The second product family seeing announcements today is Anker's MagGo wireless chargers, and while the new products won't be available until late this year, their unveiling provides an initial look at the Qi2 standard that is essentially an open version of MagSafe supporting 15-watt wireless charging speeds.

Upcoming products in the MagGo Qi2 family include:

• A 10,000 mAh Qi2 battery pack with kickstand and charging status display plus a USB-C port that supports up to 27-watt wired charging.
• A foldable wired 3-in-1 charging station optimized for travel with 15-watt Qi2 phone charging, Apple Watch fast charging, and AirPods charging.
• A foldable power bank with 6,600 mAh capacity that doubles as a phone stand.
• A desktop/bedside charging station with elevated spots for 15-watt Qi2 phone charging and Apple Watch fast charging, plus a spot for AirPods charging on the base
• A portable desktop charger with collapsible Qi2 phone charging and Apple Watch fast charging modules and a center spot for AirPods or other devices.
• An updated version of the existing 8-in-1 MagGo charging station with support for Qi2 phone charging plus a trio of power outlets, two USB-C ports, and two USB-A ports on the rear.
• A simple Qi2 wireless charging pad with 15-watt support and a 5-foot cable to compete with Apple's standard ‌MagSafe‌ Charger.

We'll have more details on the new MagGo accessories closer to their launch.

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

Alongside new Philips Hue-branded Secure Cameras, Signify today announced the upcoming launch of new Hue lighting options. There's a new generation of Philips Hue Festavia string lights that can be used indoors or outdoors.

There are three varieties, including 100 LEDs on an 8-meter cord, 250 LEDs on a 20-meter cord, and 500 LEDs on a 40-meter cord. There are three new lighting effects designed for the Festavia lights in the Hue app, including Prism, Glisten, and Opal. The effects can also be used with the first-generation Festavia lights, and the Prism effect can be used on all Hue color lights.

A new MR16 Philips Hue bulb adds smart lighting to conventional spotlights. It works on the same 12V voltage as standard MR16 bulbs, so the bulb should fit into most existing fixtures.

The Philips Hue Centris is a combination ceiling spotlight that pairs a diffused main light with 350-degree adjustable spotlights that can be angled to highlight parts of the room. Each light can be set and controlled individually with the Hue app.

The last new lighting announcement is the Perifo track lighting that is composed of individual rails and lights that can be paired together to make a customizable track. Customers can choose layout, track length, and light fixtures, with the track able to be attached to the wall or the ceiling. As with the Centris, each light can be controlled individually with the Hue app.

Starting in September 2023, Signify is updating the Hue Bridge with Matter support. When the update launches, the Hue system will be able to more easily integrate with Matter-compatible smart home devices and apps.

The new lighting options will be available starting in September. The Festavia lights will be priced starting at $120, while the MR16 bulbs are priced at $100 for a two-pack. The Perifo track lighting system is priced at $20 to $300, while the Hue Centris is priced at $310 for a two-spot set and $490 for a 4-spot set.

More information on the new lights can be found on the Hue website.

Signify today announced a major expansion to its Philips Hue line of lights with the addition of the new Philips Hue Secure cameras and sensors for home security.

The Philips Hue Secure cameras include 1080p video monitoring along with night vision and motion trigger notifications. Like other Hue devices, they are designed to connect to a Hue bridge.

Two-way talk is available, and the cameras can be paired with Hue lights and sound alarms to deter intruders. End-to-end encryption is included to keep video clips and snapshots private, and the functionality that allows the camera to recognize people, pets, and packages runs on the camera.

Philips Hue Secure cameras can be used indoors and outdoors, and there are both wired and battery versions. The cameras come in black or white, and can be mounted outdoors with the Secure camera mount with ground spike. Philips is also offering a Hue Secure Floodlight Camera that can monitor the outdoors and light up when motion is detected.

Indoors, the Philips Hue Secure Contact Sensor can be applied to doors, windows, cabinets, and more, sending notifications when the contact sensor is opened or closed. As with the cameras, sensors can be linked to lights to activate them when the sensor is triggered, so they can be used for things like turning on the lights in the bathroom when the door is opened.

The cameras and sensors are controlled through the Security Center that's being added to the Philips Hue app. The Security Center has a built-in Take Action screen where you can activate an alarm that flashes the lights, sounds a siren, and contacts local authorities, plus there are options for customizing camera settings. Some features such as Activity Zones and person detection will require a paid plan, with pricing starting at $3.99 per month. A Hue account is required to use the devices, and up to 10 cameras can be linked to a bridge.

The Philips Hue Secure line will be available starting in fall 2023. The Hue Secure wired camera is priced at $200, or $230 with a desktop stand. The battery version will cost $250, while the Floodlight Camera will cost $350.

Contact sensors are priced at $40 for one or $70 for a two-pack, and various mounts and other add-on hardware can be purchased for $15 to $50. More information is available on the Hue website.

Earlier this month, rumors suggested that Apple plans to eliminate leather cases for the iPhone 15 lineup, and subsequent information pointed toward the possibility of a leather alternative with a woven fabric look.

Leaker DuanRui, who has been sharing many of the rumors about the cases, today suggested that Apple plans to call its new leather alternative "FineWoven." If this is accurate, Apple would presumably sell silicone cases and the new "FineWoven" case.

‌DuanRui‌ shared case images with the "FineWoven" name, but warned that this could be a "counterfeit product." A close look at the packaging that he shared confirms that the case images appear to be photoshopped and not real, but he further clarified that the cases are meant to be a mockup and are based on the new Apple official case.

"FineWoven" is something of a mouthful, so it is not clear if the naming is accurate. Apple has used the woven descriptor in the past for Apple Watch bands, though, so something with woven is not out of the question. Case images leaked earlier this week do appear to have a woven fabric texture that's perhaps not too far off from suede.

While it continues to be unclear if this "FineWoven" material is what we'll actually see on September 12, what seems to be certain is that leather is being eliminated. In addition to multiple reports from leakers who often share accurate information about Apple's plans, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today confirmed that Apple is using "new materials" to replace leather.

Apple has been offering leather cases since the launch of the 2013 iPhone 5s, with the leather option sold alongside silicone cases. With Apple's focus on improving its carbon footprint, it makes some sense that the company would eliminate leather.

A leather alternative that is fabric-based would have a smaller carbon footprint than a case made from traditional cowhide, and it would be more environmentally friendly. Leather alternatives have been growing in popularity over the last several years, and there are now many high-quality plant-based options that companies have adopted.

Belkin's 3-in-1 BoostCharge wireless chargers with MagSafe compatibility seem to have stopped working for some customers, with several complaints surfacing on the MacRumors forums and Reddit.

According to affected users, some Belkin chargers are not able to recognize or charge an iPhone, even though the charger works fine for AirPods and the Apple Watch. Unplugging the charger and plugging it in again can work in some cases to force charging, but customers suggest that this is only a temporary fix. From the MacRumors forums:

There have been a number of instances where I have an Apple Watch (Ultra) connected and charging then put on my iPhone in Apple Official Leather Case (Dark Green if anyone is interested) but it doesn't recognise the phone, no animation on the screen like usual and no charge.

I have also tried this with no Apple Watch, AirPods on or off the bottom charge section and the iPhone still won't charge. The only way I can get it to work is to unplug the charger, wait around 10 seconds and plug it back in. Then the phone vibrates, screen animation plays and the charging starts.

There are two versions of Belkin's BoostCharge wireless charger with ‌MagSafe‌ integration, one that has a standard Apple Watch charger and one with a fast charge Apple Watch charger. It appears that both models could potentially be affected. and there are also some reports from customers who have the 2-in-1 ‌MagSafe‌ charger from Belkin.

Reports about issues with the Belkin chargers started in August, and several customers have contacted Belkin support and have been told that Belkin is aware there is an issue.

We identified an issue with the MagSafe wireless charger for the phone, and our engineering team is already aware of the issues reported by our customers and is currently investigating it."

A customer on Reddit was told that a resolution would be available "in the coming weeks," but that was 21 days ago and it does not appear that the issue has been addressed as of yet. Some customers have been able to have their chargers replaced under warranty, or have been able to receive refunds from the point of purchase.

Devices that are not charging include the iPhone 14 models, but not all Belkin chargers appear to be affected.

A similar issue impacted the Mophie 3-in-1 Travel Charger with ‌MagSafe‌ back in July, and Apple pulled it from the Apple Store temporarily amid complaints. The Belkin charger has not been removed from the ‌Apple Store‌ at this time. Mophie was ultimately able to fix the issue with a firmware update kit.

Apple is planning to eliminate social media support advisor roles across Twitter, YouTube, and the Apple Support Community website starting later this year, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. When this change takes effect, customers will no longer be able to receive support from an Apple employee on these platforms.

Starting October 1, the @AppleSupport account on Twitter will no longer provide human replies to customers who send direct messages, one of the sources said. Instead, the source indicated that customers who message the account will receive an automated reply outlining other ways that they can contact Apple to receive assistance.

In addition, the sources said Apple will no longer provide technical assistance to customers in the comments section of YouTube videos uploaded to the Apple Support channel, and the paid Community Specialist role will be eliminated for the Apple Support Community, an online discussion forum where customers can receive help.

Apple is offering hundreds of affected employees the opportunity to transition to a phone-based support role in the company, but some advisors are unable to or unwilling to make the switch, the sources said. Apple is not allowing employees to switch to another chat-based support role in the company unless medically necessary, which has caused anger and frustration for some members of the social media team, one of the sources said.

Employees will receive training to provide phone support, and the transition is expected to be completed by November, one source said. They added that those who do not wish to work on the phones were told they would need to explore work outside of Apple.

Apple has offered customer support on Twitter since 2016. Last year, the social media platform was controversially acquired by billionaire Elon Musk, and it has since been renamed to X. In a meeting with employees this week, the sources said Apple justified its plans by explaining that many customers prefer phone-based support.

Apple did not immediately respond to our requests for comment. This story will be updated if Apple provides any information.

With macOS Sonoma, Apple is introducing aerial wallpapers and screensavers that are similar to the aerial screensavers available on the Apple TV. In the latest macOS Sonoma beta that came out today, there are more than 100 new options to choose from.

Many of the videos are taken directly from tvOS, and they are organized into categories that include Landscape, Cityscape, Underwater, and Earth. Prior to today, there were a handful of options in each category, but now there are dozens. Apple offers 47 landscape videos, including some that feature the Sonoma region of California that macOS Sonoma is named after, and 30 cityscapes.

There are 21 underwater videos and 22 earth videos, along with options to shuffle through all the aerial videos or to select shuffle from the specific categories. Apple also has range of animated "Picture" videos that have more abstract art and that were not sourced from the ‌Apple TV‌ aerial videos, but these are not new to this beta.

Scenes feature locations all across the globe, captured with drones, underwater cameras, and from the International Space Station. If you've seen the aerial videos on the ‌Apple TV‌, you will already be familiar with many of the options on macOS Sonoma.

In macOS Sonoma, the video screensavers work like they do on the ‌Apple TV‌, but when a Mac is woken from sleep, the screensaver slows down and seamlessly becomes a still image on the desktop when you log in. The login screen also animates with one of these options selected.

Apple today announced that it is accepting applications for its 2024 iPhone Security Research Device Program, allowing security researchers to get specialized Apple devices that make it easier to find critical iOS vulnerabilities.

The iPhone Security Research Device Program (SRDP) has been around since 2019, and researchers have used it to locate 130 high-impact security vulnerabilities. Apple says that researchers have helped it to implement "novel mitigations" for protecting iOS devices.

Over the course of the last six months, program participants have received 37 CVE credits for their findings, and have contributed to improvements for the XNU kernel, kernel extensions, and XPC services.

Researchers who participate in the SRDP are eligible for Apple Security Bounty payouts. Apple has rewarded more than 100 reports from SRDP researches, and says that "multiple awards" have reached $500,000 with a median award of close to $18,000.

The iPhone 14 Pro research devices that Apple provides to participants feature special hardware and software designed for security research. Researchers are able to configure or disable the iOS security protections to manipulate them in ways not possible with a standard iPhone.

SRDs are available to security researchers who have a track record in security research both on the iPhone and other platforms, plus Apple is making devices available to university educators who want to use it as a teaching tool for computer science students.

Apple selects a limited number of participants each year to receive a research device, and applications are open until October 31, 2023. Selected participants will be notified in early 2024.

Apple is using 3D printers to make the chassis for some of the upcoming Apple Watch Series 9 models, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The new manufacturing process that Apple is testing would use less material than the large slabs of metal that are needed for traditional CNC manufacturing, plus it would cut down on the time that it takes to make new devices.

With a technique called "binder jetting," Apple is able to print a device's outline at close to its actual shape using a powdered substance. A second process uses heat and pressure to squeeze the material into a substance that feels like steel, and it is then refined with milling.

Gurman's information echoes what we've already heard from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Back in July, Kuo said that the upcoming second-generation Apple Watch Ultra will include 3D printed mechanical parts. Specifically, he claimed that Apple is "actively adopting 3D printing technology," and that some of the titanium components in the new Apple Watch Ultra would be 3D printed.

Gurman claims that Apple plans to use this new 3D printing method for the chassis of the stainless steel Apple Watch Series 9 models rather than components for the Ultra but either way, it sounds like Apple is more actively testing this manufacturing method as of 2023. Gurman says that Apple plans to 3D print titanium devices in 2024.

A shift to 3D printing for some device production would allow Apple to improve manufacturing times and potentially cut down on costs. Kuo said that if Apple's work on the 2023 Apple Watch models went well, Apple would use 3D printing for more devices in the future.

According to Gurman, Apple and Apple suppliers have been developing the 3D printing method for at least three years. Gurman confirms that Apple will expand the process to more products over the next several years if Apple Watch tests are successful.

Apple today released a sixth Studio Display 17 firmware beta, with the update coming a few weeks after the release of the fifth beta.

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. macOS Sonoma is also being beta tested.

‌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 and no new features were found by those running the betas. Release notes and full launch information will be available when the new ‌Studio Display‌ update comes out this fall alongside macOS Sonoma.

Apple today seeded the seventh beta of the upcoming macOS 14 Sonoma update to developers for testing purposes. The beta comes a week after the launch of the sixth 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.