Apple today released tvOS 15.5.1, a minor update to the tvOS operating system that first launched in September 2021. tvOS 15.5.1 comes about 10 days after the launch of tvOS 15.5.
tvOS 15.5.1 can be downloaded over the air on the Apple TV through the Settings app by going to System > Software Update. Apple TV owners who have automatic software updates enabled will be upgraded to tvOS 15.5.1 automatically.
Apple's tvOS updates are typically more minor in scale, focusing on under-the-hood bug fixes, performance updates, and small tweaks rather than major outward-facing changes.
Apple does not offer detailed release notes for its tvOS updates, but the company does offer some tvOS information through the tvOS support document. According to the support document, the update addresses an issue where music could stop playing after a short time.
As multiple Apple Stores in the United States work toward unionization, Apple's head of retail Deirdre O'Brien is aiming to thwart employee efforts through an anti-union video that was sent out to retail stores today.
Bloomberg shared details on the video, with O'Brien telling employees that unionization could slow workplace progress and could result in a soured relationship between Apple and its employees.
"It is your right to join a union - and it is equally your right not to join a union," O'Brien said in the video. She said that employees should "consult a wide range of people and sources" to have a full understanding of what it would mean to "work at Apple under a collective bargaining agreement."
O'Brien said that union organizations do not have an understanding of how Apple runs and may not be committed to employees as Apple is.
"We have a relationship that is based on an open and collaborative and direct engagement, which I feel could fundamentally change if a store is represented by a union under a collective bargaining agreement," she said. "And I worry about what it would mean to put another organization in the middle of our relationship. An organization that doesn't have a deep understanding of Apple or our business, and most importantly, one that I do not believe shares our commitment to you."
She explained that implementing raises, bonuses, and other new benefits could take longer under a union situation, referencing bonuses that were provided to retail employees during the pandemic. A union would potentially limit Apple's ability to implement "immediate, widespread changes," and it could "make it harder for [Apple] to act swiftly to address things" that employees bring up.
Apple retail locations in Washington State, New York City, Maryland, and Atlanta are organizing and taking steps toward unionization. Employees want higher pay, more vacation time, better retirement options, and other benefits.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Apple has long been rumored to be planning an electric vehicle, but the team working on the project has reportedly faced many struggles over the years, including development challenges and the loss of some key employees.
One of the latest departures is CJ Moore, who has left Apple to join autonomous vehicle technology company Luminar. In a press release shared by Bloomberg, Luminar said Moore will lead the company's global software development team. Moore had served as a director of autonomous systems at Apple since August, after working on autopilot software at Tesla for nearly seven years, according to his LinkedIn profile.
In late 2021, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was aiming to develop an electric vehicle with full self-driving functionality that does not require human intervention, with the project being led by Apple executive Kevin Lynch. Gurman said Apple's ideal car would have no steering wheel and pedals for a hands-off driving experience. Apple's vehicle is expected to launch around 2025 at the earliest.
Leaker Jon Prosser today shared ostensibly accurate renders of the iPhone 14 Pro, providing the most accurate look yet at what the device could look like when it launches later this year.
In the latest video on YouTube channel Front Page Tech, Prosser revealed renders of the iPhone 14 Pro made by Apple concept graphic designer Ian Zelbo, highlighting a range of specific design changes rumored to come to this year's high-end iPhone model.
The renders also depict the iPhone 14 Pro's corners with larger radii for a more rounded appearance. Apple may have been compelled to change the corner radius of the iPhone 14 Pro because of its larger rear camera array.
The rear camera arrays of the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max broadly matched the corner radius of each device's frame, but when Apple increased the size of the camera arrays with the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, neither device matched its corners. While the difference between the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro Max's camera arrays are minor, the difference between the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro is significant.
It seems plausible that with another increase in size this year, the incongruence between the curves of the camera plateau, lenses, and corners of the stainless steel frame itself became too severe on the iPhone 14 Pro, leading Apple to amend the design. The new, larger corner radii still do not exactly match the rounded corners of the rear camera array plateau, but are significantly closer. This correction bears noticeable changes on the front of the device.
The renders also focus on the iPhone 14 lineup's rumored purple color, with Prosser corroborating a previous report that claimed the iPhone 14 will headline with a "unique" purple color option. There are also depictions of the expected Graphite, Silver, and Gold color options for the "Pro" models.
When the feature launched in Arizona, Apple said additional U.S. states would offer driver's licenses and state IDs in the Wallet app soon, including Colorado, Hawaii, Mississippi, and Ohio, as well as the territory of Puerto Rico. Apple also previously announced that Georgia, Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Utah planned to offer the feature to residents, but it is unclear when each state plans to roll out the functionality.
To add an ID to the iPhone, Maryland residents can tap the "+" button in the top-right corner of the Wallet app and follow the on-screen instructions.
The feature is available in the U.S. only and requires an iPhone 8 or later running iOS 15.4 or later, or an Apple Watch Series 4 or later running watchOS 8.4 or later. Apple has yet to indicate whether the feature will launch in additional countries in the future.
For now, IDs in the Wallet app can only be presented at select TSA checkpoints at select U.S. airports, with Apple advising travelers to check TSA checkpoint signage to confirm availability. Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration said residents must continue to carry their physical driver's license or ID card with them, and noted that law enforcement will not accept Maryland driver's licenses or IDs in the Wallet app at this time.
After a driver's license or ID has been added to the Wallet app, users can simply tap their iPhone or Apple Watch on an identity reader at a TSA checkpoint, without taking out their physical card. Users will see a prompt on their device displaying the specific information being requested by the TSA, and only after authorizing with Face ID or Touch ID is the requested identity information released from their device, according to Apple.
Users do not need to unlock, show, or hand over their device to a TSA officer to present their mobile driver's license or ID, according to Apple.
Apple said the feature is designed with privacy and security in mind. When adding an ID to the Wallet app, users are required to take a photo of their face, which will be securely provided to the issuing state for verification. Users are also prompted to complete a series of facial and head movements during the setup process.
In a tweet, Beats said the custom Studio Buds are inspired by Daily Paper's spring/summer 2022 clothing collection, which celebrates hip-hop culture from the 1970s to 1990s. The earbuds have a white, black, and red color scheme with Daily Paper branding.
The limited-edition Studio Buds will be available to order this Thursday, May 26, but Beats did not provide any specific availability information. Pricing was also not disclosed, but the standard Studio Buds retail for $149.99 in the United States, and limited-edition Beats typically retail for the same price as standard Beats.
Beats Studio Buds launched in June 2021, with standard color options including white, pink, gray, blue, black, and red. The wireless earbuds feature a compact round design without any "stems" dropping below the ears, active noise cancellation with up to five hours of listening time per charge, hands-free "Hey Siri" support, IPX4-rated sweat and water resistance, Find My support, and a USB-C wired charging case.
Apple in February unveiled a new "Tap to Pay on iPhone" feature that will allow compatible iPhones to accept payments via Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets, with no additional hardware required.
Apple began testing the feature at its Apple Park Visitor Center earlier this month, and now Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has tweeted that the feature will begin rolling out to Apple Stores across the United States starting today, allowing customers to try it out. The feature might not be available at every Apple Store immediately.
Apple said the feature would launch in the U.S. later this year, but the company has yet to share a specific launch timeframe. The feature will allow small businesses and merchants to accept contactless payments through supported iOS apps using an iPhone XS or newer. At checkout, the merchant will simply prompt the customer to hold their own iPhone or Apple Watch, contactless credit or debit card, or other digital wallet near the merchant's iPhone, and the payment will be securely completed using NFC technology.
Currently, merchants that accept contactless payments on an iPhone must rely on additional hardware like the Square Reader, which comes in various models that work wirelessly or connect to an iPhone's Lightning connector or headphone jack.
Apple's 2020 M1 MacBook Air (256GB) has hit $899.99 on Amazon this week, down from $999.00. This deal is available in both Silver and Gold color options, and both are sold directly by Amazon.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
We've seen this computer drop down to a lower price in past sales, but this is still a solid second-best price on the MacBook Air. The Silver color option has faster shipping estimates, targeted for around May 30 for most places in the United States.
Apple today shared details on developer studies sourced from economists at Analysis Group (commissioned by Apple) and the Progressive Policy Group, with the reports aimed at highlighting the successes of small businesses and independent developers on the App Store.
Between 2019 and 2021, earnings for small developers increased by 113 percent, outpacing the growth of larger developers, according to Analysis Group. Small developers are defined as those who have earned up to $1 million in a year and who have fewer than 1 million annual downloads, with the research excluding those with less than 1,000 App Store downloads. Analysis Group says that more than 90 percent of App Store developers are considered small developers.
Some of those small developers are earning more money because of the reduced commission implemented through the App Store Small Business Program in late 2020, but Apple and Analysis Group suggest there are other growth factors at work in addition to the lower commission rates. Small developers are eligible to pay 15 percent in App Store fees instead of the 30 percent that larger developers must pay, and that cut would represent a 21 percent increase in earnings, under the 113 percent total growth metric the study reports.
The strongest growth in earnings came from developers in France and the United States, who saw 122 and 118 percent growth in earnings in 2021, respectively. The earnings growth rate of small developers who were active in 2019 has exceeded that of large developers by more than double.
Among larger-scale developers who sold digital goods and services and earned more than $1 million in 2021, 45 percent were not on the App Store or had less than $10,000 in earnings in the prior five years, which Analysis Group suggests is indicative of the opportunities available to "nascent developers with innovative ideas."
The second study from Progressive Policy Institute separately highlights the range of jobs that the iOS app economy has been responsible for creating, encompassing software development, sales, design, and more. The study suggests that the iOS ecosystem is responsible for 2.23 million jobs, including indirect and spillover jobs.
As Apple said earlier this year, developers have earned a total of $260 billion since the launch of the App Store. There are more than 1.8 million apps on the App Store, and 1.8 billion active devices across 175 regions. 80 percent of small developers are active in multiple storefronts, and 40 percent of downloads come from outside of a small developer's home country, with the App Store ecosystem facilitating global sales.
Apple says that the report from Analysis Group "paints a picture of a thriving and dynamic app ecosystem where opportunities and innovations have flourished," and it is no surprise that Apple is eager to point out the successes of the App Store amid regulatory changes that are looming in the United States, Europe, and other countries.
U.S. government officials are considering the Open App Markets Act and the American Innovation and Choice Online Act, with the legislation aimed at allowing developers to use non-Apple App Stores and alternative in-app payment systems on iOS devices, changes that would impact Apple's service revenue, and as Apple argues, the security of the iPhone.
Swiss-based encrypted email provider ProtonMail today announced a restructuring of its privacy-first services, bringing them under a new unifying brand name: Proton.
Today, we are undertaking our biggest step forward in the movement for an internet that respects your privacy. The new, updated Proton offers one account, many services, and one privacy-by-default ecosystem. You can now enjoy unified protection with a modernized look and feel.
Evolving into a unified Proton reflects our growth from an end-to-end encrypted email provider to an entire privacy ecosystem, allowing us to deliver even more benefits to the Proton community and make privacy accessible to everyone.
Previously, users could only subscribe to each service the company offered individually. Going forward, the new Proton offers one account to access all the services offered in the company's privacy-by-default ecosystem, including Proton Mail, Proton VPN, Proton Calendar, and Proton Drive, all of which can be accessed from proton.me.
All Proton services remain available as a free tier, with more advanced features and more storage available via paid plans. The free Proton tier includes up to 1GB of storage and one Proton email address, as well as access to Proton's encrypted Calendar and VPN services.
Meanwhile, the Proton Unlimited tier costs 9.99 euros ($10.65) for 12 months, with savings of up to 33% for those who choose a 24-month plan. For those looking only for encrypted email or a VPN, individual plans remain available.
As part of the rebrand, existing account holders will receive a storage boost and new features at no extra cost, including additional email addresses, VPN connections, and more.
To highlight the changes, Proton is also introducing a visual overhaul of the company's web-based services, with new logos, colors, and an updated, modernized design for its new desktop and mobile apps.
ProtonMail began as crowdfunded service in May 2014 and launched in March 2016, led by a group of scientists from CERN and MIT who aimed to deliver an easy-to-use end-to-end encrypted email service with freely available open source code. You can learn more about Proton's history, service plans, and privacy and security policy at the company's new website.
In iOS 15, Apple's Maps app includes the ability to use augmented reality walking directions in some big cities, and today we learn that Tokyo has become the latest place that you can use it.
The AR mode can map walking directions onto the real world by using your iPhone's rear camera, making it easier to see where you need to go in built-up areas and reducing the need to look down at your smartphone as you move.
The feature's availability in Tokyo was discovered by Ata Distance, who also says other Japanese city maps may have been updated beyond Tokyo, but it's hard to know without being on the ground.
To initiate a walking route, iPhone users can raise their device and scan the buildings around them when prompted. The step-by-step directions will appear in the AR mode automatically, which should make it easier to get where you need to go, especially in situations where the directions are tricky.
According to Apple's feature availability page, AR walking directions are available in London, Los Angeles, Montréal, New York Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Singapore, Toronto, Vancouver, and Washington, DC. Japan has yet to be added to the list.
Development of at least one iPhone 14 model is three weeks behind schedule due to Chinese lockdowns and in a worst case scenario could impact initial production volumes, according to a new report today.
Despite an easing of restrictions, the impact of lockdowns beginning in late March in and around Shanghai is said to have had a lingering impact on supply chains, according to sources who spoke to Nikkei Asia.
"It is challenging to make up for the lost time. ... Apple and its suppliers are working around the clock to speed up development," said an executive with an Apple supplier, adding that the pace of reopening in Shanghai is "rather slow."
Apple has reportedly told suppliers to speed up product development efforts to make up for the lost time before the delay affects the typical manufacturing schedule, which could subsequently impact initial production volumes of the iPhone 14 series.
Apple is expected to launch four new iPhone models this year. After seeing lackluster iPhone 13 mini sales, Apple is offering larger iPhone sizes for its 2022 flagship devices: A 6.1-inch iPhone 14, a 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro, a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max, and a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max.
It is not clear which model is being directly impacted by the delays caused by the lockdowns. Currently, all four iPhone 14 models are in the engineering verification test, or EVT, stage of development, according to Nikkei's sources. Normally, all new iPhone models complete the EVT and move on to the verification stage by the end of June.
Following the development phase of the new iPhones, Apple's primary assemblers Foxconn and Pegatron will enter into a phase known as new product introduction, or NPI, during which the manufacturing process is sketched out for the latest designs. NPI is followed by several verification processes before mass production begins, usually from around the end of August.
"If the development process can be sped up and proceed to the next level around the end of June or beginning of July, then it should still be possible to meet the mass production deadline of early September," another person familiar with the matter said. "But it really depends on whether the process can accelerate soon."
Production is said to have been hampered by restrictions still in place in terms of living and travel in the greater Shanghai area. The operation of the entire supply chain in China hasn't yet returned to normal, despite a relaxing of restrictions in Shanghai and its neighboring regions.
Chiu Shih-fang, a veteran supply chain analyst with the Taiwan Institute for Economic Research, told Nikkei the situation might not only affect the production but also new product development. "It would take at least one to two more months for the supply chain to recover," added Chiu.
Developers who have been invited to attend the June 6 WWDC viewing event at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California will need to adhere to stricter COVID prevention rules that Apple has recently implemented.
In emails sent out today, Apple informed developers that they will need to wear N95 masks while indoors, and that a negative FDA-approved COVID antigen test is required the day before. Attendees will need to upload their negative test results to Apple's portal before arriving at Apple Park.
Saw the updated WWDC email that you need a negative FDA-approved COVID antigen test the day before and N95 masks are required indoors (yay)! Does that just mean I can bring some rapid tests in my luggage?
— Christian Selig (@ChristianSelig) May 24, 2022
This is an updated guideline that reflects an increasing number of COVID cases in California and other states. Prior to today, Apple's website said that developers would be required to test three days before the event and that masks would be optional, but that wording has since been removed.
There was some speculation that Apple could cancel the event because the company recently delayed plans to have corporate employees working in the office three days a week amid rising COVID cases, but it appears Apple is instead opting for more stringent protections.
On its website, Apple says that attendees are required to follow its health and safety protocols, which take into account the latest guidance from public health authorities. Apple has assured developers that hand sanitizer stations will be available and surfaces and high-traffic areas will be cleaned regularly throughout the event.
Apple today reminded developers that all apps that support account creation need to have functionality for account deletion starting on June 30, 2022. That means if an app allows a person to sign up for an account, there must be an in-app way to delete said account later on.
The account deletion rule was implemented as part of App Store changes that were introduced in June 2021, and Apple initially planned to require developers to support account deletion by January 31, 2022. That deadline has now been pushed back to give developers more time to make changes, and the rule will officially be enforced at the end of June.
According to Apple's guidelines, apps must make it easy for users to find the account deletion option, and it is insufficient for an app to offer to temporarily disable or deactivate an account. An account must be able to be deleted, along with all personal data.
Apple says that some apps in highly regulated industries can use customer service flows for confirming the account deletion, but apps outside of those industries should not require people to make a call, send an email, or otherwise jump through hoops to delete an account.
Developers can find more information about the account deletion requirements on Apple's website.
Apple today confirmed that the keynote event for the Worldwide Developers Conference will begin at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on June 6, the first day of WWDC. The keynote will be an online-only event, though a select number of developers have been invited to the Apple Park campus for a viewing event.
In addition to confirming the keynote date and time, Apple has shared the full WWDC 2022 schedule. Following the keynote, the Platforms State of the Union for developers will take place on June 6 at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
The Apple Design Awards will follow on June 6 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, and starting on June 7, Apple will provide session videos on all of the new features that are coming to iOS 16, iPadOS 16, tvOS 16, macOS 13, and watchOS 9.
Apple engineers and designers will also be hosting activities in Digital Lounges during WWDC week, allowing developers to engage in technical discussions, get answers to questions, and connect with the community.
Apple recommends that developers download the Apple Developer app to experience WWDC22 and keep up with all of the announcements.
Apple Music is now available directly within Google-owned Waze, offering Waze users easier and safer access to enjoy the Apple Music catalog as they commute from within the Waze app on iOS.
Google announced the new integration in a blog post, saying "with a direct connection between the apps, you can now access Apple Music content directly from the Waze Audio Player." Users should make sure they are updated to the latest version of the Waze app and have an active Apple Music subscription to integrate the two services.
Two weeks ahead of WWDC, Apple has started notifying winners of this year's Swift Student Challenge, with applicants able to check their status via Apple's website. The lucky winners receive exclusive WWDC 2022 outerwear, a customized WWDC 2022 pin set, and a one-year membership in the Apple Developer Program. As an unexpected bonus, Apple is also providing winners with free AirPods Pro.
WWDC 2022 will be held online from June 6 through June 10, with sessions and other content to be made available on Apple's website and in the Apple Developer app free of charge. During the opening keynote, Apple is expected to announce its latest software platforms, including iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16, and there is always a chance of a hardware announcement or two at the event.
There will be one in-person component of WWDC 2022, as Apple is hosting a special day at Apple Park on June 6 for selected students/developers watch the Keynote and State of the Union videos. Attendees were selected through a lottery.
So excited for the #WWDC22#SwiftStudentChallenge winners! And equally proud of everyone who put themselves out there and applied. There are so many incredibly talented students around the world doing amazing things - can’t wait to watch you all soar!https://t.co/hKe6cQKfCZ
— Esther Hare (@EEhare) May 24, 2022
Linksys today announced the launch of two new WiFi 6 mesh systems for those who are looking for WiFi options that support the fastest wireless speeds. The Linksys Atlas 6 and the Linksys Hydra 6 are the company's two most affordable WiFi 6 mesh systems to date.
The Linksys Atlas 6 is a whole-home mesh wireless system that Linksys says is ideal for hybrid work, online gaming, 4K TV streaming, and more, and that the router is designed to be used with internet service plans that offer up to gigabit speeds.
Each node has three 1GBbE Ethernet ports for connecting to devices, and the system comes in three configurations. The Atlas 6 can be managed with the Linksys app, and it is a mesh system so it can be adjusted with a different number of nodes.
The Linksys Atlas 6 is launching in early summer and will be priced starting at $150. 1-pack supports up to 25 devices and covers 2,000 square feet, the two pack supports up to 50 devices and covers 4,000 square feet, and the three pack supports up to 75 devices and covers 6,000 square feet.
The Hydra 6 is slightly more expensive at $180, and it is a WiFi 6 dual-band mesh router that is aimed at delivering faster, more robust, and more reliable connections, according to Linksys.
It too is designed for service plans up to a gigabit, and nodes have four 1GbE Ethernet ports for wired connections. Linksys also plans to begin selling the Hydra 6 in early summer, and both systems will be available from the Linksys website.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
