Apple CEO Tim Cook has shot down the idea of iOS adopting RCS messaging, a format that would make it significantly easier for iPhone and Android users to send high-quality messages, videos, and photos to each other within the Messages app on iOS.
During a panel at Kara Swisher's final Code Conference yesterday, Cook was asked why iOS has not yet adopted support for the RCS standard and how Steve Jobs would feel about it (via The Verge), despite repeated calls from the industry for the company to do so. "I don't hear our users asking that we put a lot of energy in on that at this point," Cook said in response to the question.
The lack of RCS support on iOS makes it more difficult for iOS and Android users to communicate, forcing them to in some cases use third-party messaging platforms such as WhatsApp or Telegram. The reporter who asked the question pushed Cook on his response, saying he and his mother find it difficult to send photos and videos to each other because she uses an Android device while they use an iPhone. "Buy your mom an iPhone," Cook told the reporter who posed the situation.
Android has supported and led the industry in adopting RCS, while Apple has kept only iMessage and the SMS standard available on the iPhone. Google recently started a public campaign in an attempt to convince Apple to adopt RCS, but Cook's recent comments show Apple is not likely to budge anytime soon.
As noted by The Verge, emails from the Epic Games vs. Apple trial revealed that Apple's senior vice president of software engineering Craig Federighi said that bringing iMessage to Android and making it easier for the two platforms to communicate would "simply serve to remove [an] obstacle to iPhone families giving their kids Android phones."
Apple yesterday announced a slew of new products, ranging from four new iPhone 14 models, three new Apple Watches, and brand new AirPods Pro. With so many new products, you may be confused over when each product will be available for pre-order and in-store. To help, we've created a guide to make clear all the important dates related to Apple's latest products.
Already Available for Pre-Order
After Apple's "Far out" event yesterday, the following three products were made immediately available for pre-order:
Priced at $799, the new Apple Watch Ultra is explicitly designed for athletes, hikers, and marathon runners and features advanced health and fitness features. The Series 8, on the other hand, features the same design as the Apple Watch Series 7 but comes with a new body temperature sensor focusing on women's health. The Apple Watch Ultra is already facing 6-7 week delays for customers.
Friday, September 9
On Friday, September 9, the following products will become available for pre-order on Apple's website, the Apple Store app, and through Apple's retail partners worldwide. Ahead of Friday, Apple is already letting customers prepare to pre-order the new products.
iPhone 14
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Pro Max
Second-Generation AirPods Pro
Friday, September 16
A week later, on Friday, September 16, the following products will be available in Apple's retail stores worldwide and will begin arriving to customers.
iPhone 14
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Pro Max
Second-Generation Apple Watch SE
Apple Watch Series 8
Friday, September 23
Another week later, the following two products will become available through Apple, its retail partners, and begin arriving to customers worldwide.
Second-Generation AirPods Pro
Apple Watch Ultra
Friday, October 7
Finally, two weeks later, one final product will see its launch:
iPhone 14 Plus
Apple has not said why the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus will begin shipping to customers three weeks after the rest of the lineup, but earlier reports suggested Apple was facing supply chain issues with the new model, particularly with display production.
Other Imporant Dates to Keep In Mind
Besides launching new products, Apple will also make iOS 16 available to all customers with a compatible iPhone on Monday, September 12. iOS 16 features a redesigned and customizable lock screen, new features in messages, and so much more. Also, on Monday, September 12, Apple will make watchOS 9 available for the Apple Watch Series 4 and later.
iOS 16 will warn users who try to pair counterfeit AirPods with their iPhone or iPad, according to code found in the release candidate beta released to developers on Wednesday.
Apple can already tell users when a non-genuine part is detected in an iPhone or iPad, but it looks as if the company is ready to extend this warning to fake Apple accessories, too.
First spotted by 9to5Mac, the code indicates that when a user attempts to pair non-genuine AirPods with their Apple device, the upcoming version of iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 will throw up a message on the screen, which reads: "These headphones could not be verified as genuine AirPods and may not behave as expected."
A "Learn More" button will then redirect users to a support article on Apple's website explaining how to identify genuine AirPods. Notably, Apple doesn't appear to want to stop users from pairing the fake AirPods, but instead displays a "Don't Connect" option.
The surging popularity of AirPods has resulted in record numbers of counterfeit wireless headphones being seized at the U.S. border. According to a 2021 report, roughly 360,000 counterfeit wireless headphones with a retail value of $62.2 million were confiscated in the first nine months of the U.S. government's fiscal year, based on data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
U.S. Customs said that 80% of all counterfeit products coming into the U.S. were from mainland China or Hong Kong. While it's unclear how many of the seized counterfeit headphones were AirPods, U.S. Customs said seizures have increased 50% in the previous five years as products such as Apple's earbuds have gained popularity.
Counterfeit AirPods can use genuine Apple serial numbers and usually look physically indistinguishable from legitimate AirPods Pro. Many will even have functional active noise cancellation and Transparency mode features.
A Geekbench score for the iPhone 14 Pro Max with the new A16 Bionic chip has revealed little performance improvement compared to the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max from last year.
A Geekbench test result for iPhone15,3, the identifier for the iPhone 14 Pro Max, shows the new iPhone with a single-core score of 1879 and a multi-core score of 4664. The iPhone 13 Pro scores 1707 in single-core and 4659 in multi-core, only being marginally slower than the latest high-end iPhone.
The most significant new feature of the A16 Bionic chip is that it's the first chip from Apple based on the smaller 4nm process. The A15 Bionic chip, like Apple's M1 and M2 Apple silicon chips for the Mac, is based on the 5nm process.
Despite the smaller jump in performance that some may have hoped, Apple says the A16 Bionic chip is "the fastest chip ever in a smartphone." The A16 Bionic has a more powerful GPU that can provide up to 50% more memory bandwidth for graphics-intensive games. The A16 Bionic also has a new 16-core Neural Engine to power advanced machine learning tasks. In the CPU, the A16 Bionic features the same 6-core count as the A15 Bionic, but Apple says it's a "new 6-core CPU."
Update: This article has been updated to note that the Geekbench result is for an iPhone 14 Pro Max, not an iPhone 14 Pro. Both devices use the same A16 chip, however, so their scores should be similar.
Apple's newly announced iPhone 14 models include a new Action mode when recording video, and here's our first real-world example of the feature in action.
The video below was taken by tech reporter Rich DeMuro during the hands-on time that followed Apple's "Far Out" media event on Wednesday, when it unveiled the new iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
According to Apple, the new Action mode aims to help capture smooth-looking video that adjusts to significant shakes, motion, and vibrations, even when video is being captured in the middle of the action.
Apple's Cinematic mode, first introduced in last year's iPhone 13 series, has also been improved for the iPhone 14 models, which can now record in 4K at 30fps and 4K at 24fps using the feature.
Pre-orders for the new iPhone 14 models open on Friday, September 9, and the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 will begin shipping on Friday, September 16. The larger 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus will begin shipping to customers on Friday, October 7. Both the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro and the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max will be available for pre-order this Friday, September 9, and will be available to customers starting Friday, September 16.
During its "Far out" event on Wednesday, Apple said that over three trillion photos were taken worldwide on iPhone last year, proving that the iPhone is always "ready to quickly and effortlessly capture your life's moments."
The statistic was shared during the keynote by Caron Thor, a senior manager at Apple for camera quality. The three trillion photos taken across all iPhones last year include those captured for Apple's popular Shot on iPhone campaign, which promotes photos taken by iPhone users by featuring them on Instagram, Apple's website, and billboards worldwide.
Hoping to continue the iPhone's momentum in photography, Apple has made significant strides in the camera on the iPhone 14, especially the higher-end iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. The new higher-end cameras feature wider sensors, an all-new 48MP Wide camera, and more.
Apple has officially announced the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, featuring 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays, respectively. At first glance, the iPhone 14 models may seem to be an iterative upgrade compared to the iPhone 13, and while they may look unchanged other than the larger size, there are several noteworthy new features for the latest iPhones.
Below we've listed five lesser talked-about features and changes coming to the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. Keep reading to learn even more about the latest iPhones.
Your iPhone 14 Will Get Less Hot
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are powered by the same chip that powers the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. Compared to the A15 Bionic variation used in the regular iPhone 13, the enhanced version of the A15 chip has five GPU cores instead of four. The added GPU core should improve graphics performance across games and other apps.
With the more powerful chip, Apple has reworked the internals of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus to better manage heat. These changes will mean iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus customers can get longer battery life, use apps and games for longer, and more without their iPhones getting hot to touch.
The Flash is Brighter
Alongside a few new camera features, Apple has made the True Tone flash on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus up to two times brighter in certain conditions. With the new flash, an improved lens, and updated image signal processing, Apple says iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus offer 2.5x better low-light performance on the Main and Ultra Wide camera.
iPhone 14 Plus Is a Battery Monster
The iPhone 14 Plus has the longest battery life ever in an iPhone, according to Apple. Thanks to its larger size, the iPhone 14 Plus has a larger battery than the iPhone 14. Previously, the larger 6.7-inch display was only available on the highest-end Pro Max iPhones, which also had a larger battery. The iPhone 14 Plus, unlike the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max, doesn't feature the most advanced and battery-hungry features like a ProMotion display.
The lack of advanced features, plus the larger battery and updates to the internal design, mean the iPhone 14 Plus is the best iPhone for customers who value long battery life. Apple says iPhone 14 Plus customers can get up to 26 hours of video playback compared to the 20 hours on the standard iPhone 14.
Selfies Now Have Autofocus
The front camera on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus now supports autofocus for the first time to make images sharper and more detailed. Along with autofocus, the front-facing camera on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus now have a larger aperture which yields a 2x improvement in low-light performance.
Colors: Brighter Red, Lighter Blue, and New Purple
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are available at launch in five colors: Midnight, Purple, Starlight, (PRODUCT) RED, and Blue. Compared to the iPhone 13, the colors have been slightly tweaked in shade and brightness. The (PRODUCT) RED iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are considerably brighter than the red color option on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini. Other colors, like Blue, have been made less saturated on the iPhone 14 compared to last year's iPhone.
Colors like Starlight and Midnight remain unchanged at first glance. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus comes in a new Purple color option not available with the iPhone 13, and the iPhone 13, which stays in the lineup, comes in a Green color option not offered to iPhone 14 customers.
Apple CEO Tim Cook, former Apple design chief Jony Ive, and Emerson Collective founder Laurene Powell Jobs are participating in a panel at Kara Swisher's final Code Conference appearance this evening to discuss Steve Jobs and his influence on technology, culture, and beyond.
Responding to a question from Swisher about what they believe Jobs would think about the current state of the world, Powell Jobs opined that he would not have been happy about the polarization that increasingly dominates discourse.
I would say not only the polarization, not only the fact that people are really coming to blows within families and communities and our country, but also just that he loved our country so much.
He loved California so much, but he loved our country. He loved the idea of America. He loved what it allowed the individual and the communities to become. He loved the unfetteredness of it. He loved the personal freedoms and liberties, but also the connectedness and responsibility for each other.
It was very important to him to be able to give something back to the human experience, and I think he would not be quiet about it.
On the topic of user privacy, Cook reflected on how Jobs set the standard for Apple:
Steve really ingrained in the company in the early days the importance of privacy, and it has only grown with every year that has passed since then. I think it was at D8 that he spoke about privacy here, in 2010 I think it was, and he put it in such eloquent and simple terms.
It means asking people's permission, asking them repeatedly, and it has been at the heart of how we view privacy. And so you know, we believe that privacy is a fundamental human right, and we see a world where privacy takes a backseat, and you have this sort of surveillance kind of mode everywhere, that this is a world where people begin to do less and think less. They begin to alter their behavior because they know they're being watched. And this is not a world that any of us want to live in.
I think he saw that, and saw that well, and I have every reason to believe that he would have put up a good arguments in good fights along the way.
Ive spoke a bit about care in design and how he and Steve believed in taking great care with even the smallest details because it was the right thing to do.
I think it's easier to understand carelessness which is I see it being a disregard for people, you know. Carelessness to me is just seeing people as a potential revenue stream, not the reason to work immoderately hard to really express your love and appreciation for the rest of the species.
So for us in our practice of design, I think care is very often felt, and not necessarily seen. And I think, and I know it's something that I think the three of us feel strongly about that sort of care, that is, I mean Steve talks about the carpenter, the cabinet maker that would finish the back of the drawer, and it's that you're bothered beyond whether something is actually publicly seen.
You do it not because there's an economic interest. You do it because it's the right moral decision and I think it's, I think, particularly as a designer. I think it's very often in the very small quiet things like worrying about how you package a cable.
Yeah, I worry about that ever such a lot. And Steve wrote about that a lot as well. And I think it's that sort of that preoccupation when you're set there on a Sunday afternoon worrying about the power cable that's packaged as a zigzag thing and you're going to take that little wire tie off when you're set there on a Sunday afternoon worrying about this isn't really very good.
The only reason, I think you're very aware that the reason you are there is because I think, our species deserves better.
Additional discussion topics included Steve's outlook on the genesis of creation, his structure for Apple that persists to this day, his belief that Apple should own its primary technologies, and more.
All four new iPhone 14 models and the second-generation AirPods Pro include support for Bluetooth 5.3, according to Apple's tech specs for each device, but the status of LE Audio support for the devices remains unclear at this time.
LE Audio, which can be supported on any device with Bluetooth 5.2 or higher, is a low-power audio streaming specification that would have several benefits for devices within the Apple ecosystem. Earlier this week, we outlined five benefits that LE Audio could have for AirPods Pro in particular should Apple support the specification:
Improved audio quality: LE Audio includes a new low-power audio codec called LC3 that provides improved audio quality compared to the classic SBC codec, even at a 50% lower bit rate, according to the Bluetooth SIG.
Longer battery life: With the low-power LC3 audio codec, AirPods Pro would have longer battery life for audio playback.
Multi-stream audio: LE Audio would enable the transmission of multiple synchronized audio streams between a source device like an iPhone or Mac and the AirPods Pro. This would allow for an individual left and right AirPod to each have its own Bluetooth audio connection with a device supporting LE Audio for improved reliability.
Connect many pairs of AirPods to an iPhone at once: LE Audio would allow for many pairs of AirPods to simultaneously connect to an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or other device with Bluetooth 5.2 or higher. Apple already has a feature that allows an iPhone or iPad user with AirPods to share audio with another person with AirPods, but the feature does not work with more than two pairs of AirPods.
No switching between iPhone and Mac required: LE Audio would allow AirPods to connect to multiple source devices like an iPhone and Mac simultaneously, eliminating the need to switch the AirPods between devices.
Apple's press releases and tech specs pages for the iPhone 14 and new AirPods Pro do not appear to make any mention of LE Audio or the benefits listed above, leading us to believe that LE Audio might not be supported on the devices currently, but we've reached out to Apple for confirmation. In July, the organization behind Bluetooth said it anticipated availability of products with support for LE Audio to ramp up by the end of 2022.
Given that iPhone 14 models and the new AirPods Pro have Bluetooth 5.3 chipsets, it is possible that Apple could enable LE Audio with a software/firmware update in the future should the devices not currently support the specification.
An optional new accessibility feature allows the upcoming iPhone 14 models to play a sound while turning on and off, according to assistive technology expert Steven Aquino, who compared the feature to the Mac's iconic startup chime.
Twitter user Martin Nobel shared a preview of the sound based on a file from the iOS 16 Release Candidate. As noted by developer Steve Moser, the feature will be located in the Settings app under Accessibility → Power On & Off Sounds and is designed to make it easier for users to know when an iPhone has been turned on or off.
We've yet to come across a hands-on video of this feature in action on the iPhone 14, but we'll update this story if we spot one.
iPhone 14 accessibility tidbit: Apple has added a Mac-like startup chime when you boot the phone. My understanding is a lot of Blind and low vision people, even inside the company, wished for a concrete way to tell whether their phone restarted.
— Steven Aquino (he/him) (@steven_aquino) September 7, 2022
Apple introduced the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max earlier today during a special event at Steve Jobs Theater. The two Pro models received the biggest upgrades, including an always-on display with a new pill-shaped "Dynamic Island" notch, a 48-megapixel Wide lens, a new Deep Purple color option, and more. All four iPhone 14 models will be available to pre-order starting this Friday, September 9.
The new Apple Watch Ultra ships with a braided Apple Watch to USB-C charger, according to Apple's product page, the "What's in the box" section, and Apple Store retail documentation seen by MacRumors. The Apple Watch Ultra is the first Apple Watch to ship with the uniquely braided cable.
The Apple Watch Ultra features an all-new design that's more rugged with advanced features for athletes, hikers, swimmers, and more. The Apple Watch Ultra costs $799 and is available for pre-order today and will begin arriving to customers on Friday, September 23.
Following the debut of the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max, Apple is letting customers get ready for pre-orders, which will begin on Friday, September 9 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
With the Apple Store app on the iPhone, prospective buyers select their preferred phone, confirm their status with their carrier, add accessories, select an AppleCare+ plan, and add a preferred payment method to prepare for the iPhone launch. Payment in full and other payment options are supported.
iPhone Upgrade Program members can select their iPhones and go through all of the pre-approval steps that include checking upgrade eligibility, securing credit lines, and confirming other necessary information.
Apple says that the setup process will allow customers to pre-order their devices with the tap of a button on launch day. You can get ready for pre-orders until 9:00 p.m. on September 8.
The iPhone 14 models are priced starting at $799, and iPhone 14 Pro models are priced starting at $999. Pre-orders begin on Friday, September 9, with a launch to follow on September 16 for the iPhone 14, 14 Pro, and Pro Max, and October 7 for the iPhone 14 Plus.
The all-new Apple Watch Ultra is available to pre-order starting today in the U.S. and more than 40 other countries, with pricing set at $799. The high-end Apple Watch will launch in stores and begin arriving to customers on September 23, but some configurations are already facing lengthy shipping delays as of late Wednesday.
A quick spot check of Apple's online store in the U.S. reveals that models with a midnight Ocean Band and large green Alpine Loop face 3-4 week shipping estimates for orders placed on late Wednesday, while models with the Trail Loop in multiple colors face an even lengthier 6-7 week delay at this time. That said, there are still at least a half-dozen band options available with September 23 launch day delivery overall.
Inspired by the "most extreme activities," the Apple Watch Ultra features a durable design with a 49mm titanium case, a larger display with a flat sapphire crystal cover, new bands designed for the outdoors, water resistance up to a depth of 100 meters, a customizable bright orange "Action" button on the left side of the case, and more. A protruded ridge houses the Digital Crown and Side Button on the right side of the case.
A new info-dense Wayfinder watch face takes advantage of the larger display with support for up to eight complications and an integrated compass.
Apple Watch Ultra is advertised as having up to 36 hours of battery life per charge during normal usage. In a future watchOS 9 update, a new low-power setting with reduced frequency of GPS and heart rate readings will extend battery life to up to 60 hours.
With the 49mm case size and updated design of the Apple Watch Ultra, Apple was able to fit in a much larger battery. As a result, the Apple Watch Ultra is able to last for up to 36 hours on a single charge with normal use, and even longer with a new Low Power Mode and battery optimization options.
Apple defines "normal" use for the 36 hour metric as 180 time checks, 180 notifications, 90 minutes of app use, and a 60-minute workout with music playback from Apple Watch Ultra via Bluetooth over the course of 36 hours. It also includes a total of eight hours of LTE connection and 28 hours of connection to iPhone over Bluetooth.
Actual battery life will vary significantly depending on what the Apple Watch is used for. Workouts that exceed 60 minutes will drain battery quicker, as will being on a cellular connection for a longer period of time.
Apple plans to introduce a Low Power Mode in watchOS 9 that will work on all Apple Watch models that include the Series 4 and later. With Low Power Mode, the watch will disable or limit features that include the always-on display, autostarting workouts, and heart health notifications.
The Apple Watch Ultra also has specific battery optimization functionality that needs to be set up to get the maximum battery life, and this option is set to launch later in the year.
When battery optimization launches, the Apple Watch Ultra will last for an impressive 60 hours, and it will be the first Apple Watch to offer more than 24 hours of battery life to let people go multiple days without charging. Apple says that multi-day "adventure" battery life is based on Low Power Mode and with workout settings enabled for fewer heart rate and GPS readings (which may be what battery optimization does). Apple used the following to test:
15 hours of workout
600+ time checks
35 minutes of app use
3 minutes of talk time
15 hours sleep tracking
5 hours connected to iPhone via Bluetooth
Standard Series 8 models and the Apple Watch SE continue to offer "all-day" 18-hour battery life, which can be extended to 36 hours with Low Power Mode.
Low Power Mode is set to launch with watchOS 9 on September 12, while battery optimization does not have a specific launch date as of yet. The Apple Watch Ultra is available for preorder today, and it is set to be released on September 23.
Apple today held its annual iPhone-centric event, debuting the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Apple also introduced the new Apple Watch Series 8 models, a revamped version of the Apple Watch SE, the Apple Watch Ultra, and the AirPods Pro 2.
It took Apple more than an hour and a half to introduce all of the new devices during its "Far Out" event, but we've recapped everything in a quick 11 minute video for our readers who want a short but thorough overview of everything that's new.
We've also rounded up all of our event coverage, so make sure to check out our articles to avoid missing any details about Apple's new product lineup.
The Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra can be preordered starting today. Apple will accept preorders for the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and AirPods Pro 2 on Friday, September 9 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
With the iPhone 14 models, Apple is introducing a new Emergency SOS via satellite feature that is designed to allow emergency messages to be sent even when cellular and WiFi connections are unavailable.
We thought we'd highlight some of the features of the new satellite functionality for those of you who are curious about how it works.
When It Works
Satellite connectivity is available to be used whenever you are out of range of WiFi or cellular and need to send an emergency message.
Apple says that it was designed for use in open spaces with a clear line of sight to the sky, so performance may be impacted if there are trees or buildings that are nearby.
Messaging Options
You can't make phone calls using the SOS via Satellite feature, but you can send short text messages. The iPhone will actually front-load vital questions to assess your situation, and it will send that information to emergency personnel as soon as you're connected.
Apple created a compression algorithm that makes text messages three times smaller to speed up communication as much as possible.
If you're in an area where emergency services can receive text messages, the text message will be sent directly, otherwise it will go to a relay center with Apple-trained specialists that will be able to place an emergency call for you.
Accessing Satellite Connectivity
Using satellite functionality requires your iPhone to connect to a satellite in the sky, so the iPhone will walk you through where to point your iPhone to get it connected to the nearest satellite.
Time Delays
Apple says that if you have a clear view of the sky, a short message can be sent within 15 seconds, but it can also take several minutes if there are obstructions.
Find My Integration
Through satellite connectivity, iPhone users can share their location over Find My even when there is no cellular or WiFi connection, which provides additional security for those camping or hiking in remote areas.
Crash Detection
The iPhone 14 models have a new dual-core accelerometer that can detect G-force measurements up to 256Gs, and a new high dynamic range gyroscope, both of which are for Crash Detection. Crash Detection is a new feature that pairs with emergency satellite, as it allows you to get help even if you crash in a remote location.
Globalstar Partnership
According to an SEC filing submitted following Apple's event, Apple is working with Globalstar on the satellite connectivity feature. Globalstar will be Apple's satellite operator, and it has agreed to allocate 85 percent of its current and future network capacity to support Apple's iPhones.
Globalstar and Apple's contract says that Globalstar will provide and maintain all resources, including personnel, software, satellite systems, and more, and maintain minimum quality and coverage standards.
Pricing
Apple has not provided details on how much satellite connectivity will cost, but all iPhone 14 users will get two years of satellite connectivity for free.
Availability
Satellite connectivity will be available in the United States and Canada on all iPhone 14 models. International travelers who visit the United States and Canada can use Emergency SOS via satellite, except if they bought their phone in China mainland, Hong Kong, or Macao, as Emergency SOS via satellite isn't offered in those countries.
Apple says that Emergency SOS via satellite might not work in places above 62° latitude, such as northern parts of Canada and Alaska.
Launch Date
Emergency SOS via satellite is set to launch in November.
Apple today released a new update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser Apple first introduced in March 2016. Apple designed the Safari Technology Preview to test features that may be introduced into future release versions of Safari.
Safari Technology Preview release 153 includes bug fixes and performance improvements for Web Inspector, CSS, JavaScript, Rendering, Media, Screen Capture, WebGL2, Web API, Accessibility, and WebDriver.
The current Safari Technology Preview release is built on the Safari 16 update and it includes support for feature coming in macOS Ventura such as Live Text, Passkeys, Web Extension improvements, and more.
The new build of Safari Technology Preview is compatible with machines running macOS 13 Ventura, unlike prior versions of Safari Technology Preview, but it no longer works with macOS Big Sur.
Apple's aim with Safari Technology Preview is to gather feedback from developers and users on its browser development process. Safari Technology Preview can run side-by-side with the existing Safari browser and while designed for developers, it does not require a developer account to download.
The new AirPods Pro, despite featuring an all-new H2 chip and improved audio quality, do not appear to include support for lossless Apple Music audio.
The H2 chip is the successor to the previous H1 chip and delivers new features like improved Active Noise Cancellation, an improved Transparency mode, and better sound overall. One rumored new capability of the new chip was that it would support lossless Apple Music, but Apple's press release and tech specs page for the new AirPods Pro do not mention any lossless audio support, which seemingly rules out the capability.
We've asked Apple for more information regarding lossless audio support for the new AirPods Pro and will update this story if we hear back.
The new AirPods Pro do support Bluetooth 5.3, and while that standard does not directly support lossless audio, chip companies like Qualcomm have been moving in that direction. As of now, though, there is no indication that Apple has adopted it yet.
Regardless, the new AirPods Pro feature several new features, including improved audio, longer battery life, and a redesigned charging case. Priced at $249, the new AirPods Pro will be available to order starting September 9 and launch September 23.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
