Apple today seeded the release candidate version of an upcoming tvOS 16.5 update to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after the launch of the fourth tvOS 16.5 beta.
Registered developers are able to download the tvOS 16.5 update by downloading a profile on the Apple TV using Xcode.
tvOS updates are usually minor, focusing on internal bug fixes and improvements rather than notable outward-facing changes. There is no word as of yet what's included in the tvOS 16.5 update, but we'll update this article if we find anything new.
Apple shares some information on tvOS releases in its tvOS support document, which is updated after each tvOS launch.
Though we don't often know what's new in tvOS during the beta testing process, we let MacRumors readers know when new updates are available so those who are developers can download it upon release.
Apple says that the Weather app may be slow or unavailable for some users, and that the outage has been ongoing since 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
There have been reports of issues with the Weather app all day, though not all users are impacted. There was previously a major Weather outage in April that prevented the app from displaying data.
Apple today seeded the release candidate (RC) version of macOS Ventura 13.4 to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after the launch of the fourth beta. The RC represents the final version of macOS Ventura 13.4 that will be provided to the public.
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.
According to Apple's release notes, the update adds a Sports feed in the sidebar of Apple News and it addresses several bugs, including one that would prevent the Mac Auto Unlock feature from working with the Apple Watch.
macOS Ventura 13.4 includes the following enhancements and bug fixes: - Sports feed in the sidebar of Apple News gives easy access to stories, scores, standings, and more, for the teams and leagues you follow - My Sports score and schedule cards in Apple News take you directly to game pages where you can find additional details about specific games - Resolves an issue where Auto Unlock with Apple Watch does not log you into your Mac - Fixes a Bluetooth issue where keyboards connect slowly to Mac after restarting - Addresses a VoiceOver issue with navigating to landmarks on webpages - Fixes an issue where Screen Time settings may reset or not sync across all devices
Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices. For detailed information about the security content of this update, please visit: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
macOS 13.4 also adds the simplified beta installation method that was first introduced in iOS 16.4. With the update, developers and public beta testers enrolled in Apple's respective programs can toggle on beta updates from System Settings on the Mac, without the need to install a profile.
An Apple ID associated with either a public beta account or a developer account is required to turn on beta updates, which means that it is no longer possible to use a developer profile not associated with a developer account to install the developer betas.
Apple's upcoming AR/VR headset could run the Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro software that Apple created for audio and video professionals, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said today.
In a tweet, Gurman said that there's a "very real possibility" that the headset will eventually run Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro. Gurman's comment comes following Apple's announcement of new versions of Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro designed for the iPad.
Given that the Apple headset and xrOS will run iPadOS apps, there’s a very real possibility the device will (eventually) run Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro as well. More details on how the headset will work here: https://t.co/6cAnx3mMSC
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) May 9, 2023
The iPad versions of the apps have been long-desired by content creators for video editing on the go, and Apple is finally making it happen. Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro are set to be released on the iPad on May 23.
Gurman previously said that the headset would run iPad apps adapted to the headset, with thousands of existing iPad apps to also be available through the 3D interface of the device. Apple may need to tweak the iPad versions of Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro to work on xrOS, the operating system that runs on the headset, but that could already be in the works.
Apple is expected to introduce the headset at 2023 Worldwide Developers Conference keynote event, set to take place on June 5.
Apple plans to transition Macs and iPads to OLED displays over the next few years, but a new report out of Korea claims panel suppliers are holding back key investment in next-gen OLED production lines over rising concerns about slumping Mac sales.
Apple will launch its first OLED iPads next year and South Korean panel makers intend to use their existing Gen 6 OLED lines to cover Apple's 2024 supply needs. But for iPads and MacBooks after that, Samsung Display and LG Display plan to build Gen 8 production lines, which yield more OLED panels per substrate than Gen 6 lines and are more cost effective.
However, according to The Elec, the two panel makers have yet to place orders for key equipment needed to build the Gen 8 production lines, which take at least a year to complete.
The outlet's sources suggest the Korean panel maker's hesitancy to invest is directly linked to concerns over profitability. There is no precedent for OLED panels being used in MacBooks, therefore ambiguity remains over how much Apple will be willing to pay for the panels.
But there is now growing concern over just how many units Apple will order given the recent slump in MacBook sales. Apple in its recent quarterly earnings call reported a significant year-over-year decline in Mac revenue, falling from $10.4 billion to $7.2 billion. In the previous quarter, Mac revenue was also down to $7.7 billion compared to $10.9 billion in the year-ago quarter.
The decline follows a pattern amid a severe downturn in the global PC market, with reports indicating that Apple responded earlier in the year by requesting a temporary suspension in the production of Mac processors, and they only resumed at half of supplier TSMC's production capacity.
With OLED displays in MacBooks likely to only increase the sales price, display panel suppliers reportedly believe Apple will inevitably attempt to cut unit prices down.
Samsung in April said it plans to spend 4.1 trillion won ($4.1 billion) building Gen 8 OLED production lines up to 2026. With the Korean display maker facing demands from OLED machine suppliers to pay development fees on top of machine prices, and LG Display already in the red, both face difficult investment choices in the months ahead without guaranteed orders from Apple.
Apple reportedly plans to sequentially introduce new iPad Pro and Mac models with OLED displays. Display analyst Ross Young said that he expects a MacBook Air with an OLED panel to launch as soon as 2024, which could also be the year Apple launches an OLED iPad Pro.
Samsung is expected to have a lasting role in supplying the OLED panels, contributing to the iPad Pro, MacBook Air, and 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros, although the Pro models are not expected to transition to OLED displays until 2026.
Amazon today has the second generation Apple Watch SE at a new all-time low price of $199.99, down from $249.00. This is for the 40mm GPS Apple Watch SE in Small/Medium band size, and you will need to add the wearable to your cart in order to see the deal price.
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.
You can get Starlight and Silver Aluminum at this best-ever price on Amazon, but stock is delayed. The earliest estimated delivery window begins around June 1-4. Although this is a long delay, with this steep of a discount it's worth locking in the deal today if you've been on the hunt for the 2022 Apple Watch SE.
Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.
Additionally, the 40mm cellular Apple Watch SE has hit $219.99 on Amazon, down from $299.00. This is another new record low price on the 2022 Apple Watch SE and it's only available in Midnight with an early June delivery estimate.
General Motors (GM) has hired Mike Abbott, a former Apple executive responsible for the company's cloud services division, to lead a new software unit, just over a month after the automaker announced the controversial move to phase out Apple CarPlay on new vehicles (via CNBC).
After working at tech companies such as Twitter, Microsoft, and Palm, Apple hired Abbott in February 2018. He oversaw Apple's cloud infrastructure for services like iCloud, iMessage, and FaceTime before leaving the company in March.
Abbott's role at GM will encompass several key functions, including information and digital technology, software-defined vehicle and operating systems, and the company's digital business.
He will report directly to GM CEO Mary Barra. In a statement, Barra said "Mike's experience as a founder and entrepreneur coupled with his proven track record creating and delivering some of the market's most compelling software-defined solutions for consumers and companies make him an excellent fit at GM."
In March, GM announced plans to phase out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its vehicles starting this year, shifting to a built-in infotainment system co-developed with Google. The move is expected to help the automaker gather more data about how consumers drive, incentivize vehicle-related digital subscription services, and create recurring revenue opportunities. Abbott is said to play a key role in implementing this strategy.
Best Buy recently kicked off a new sale focused on wearables, including solid markdowns on products from Garmin, Fitbit, Oura, Samsung, Google, and more. While some of these deals will continue through the end of May, others end later this week.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
We've collected some of the highlights of the sale below, including as much as $70 off Samsung's Galaxy Watches, Fitbit's array of smartwatches, Google's Pixel Watches, Garmin's smartwatches, and the Oura ring wearables. Some of these deals will end this Sunday, May 14, so be sure to browse the sale soon.
In a press release introducing a new Pride Edition band for the Apple Watch today, Apple confirmed that iOS 16.5 and watchOS 9.5 will be released to the public next week. The software updates have been in beta testing since late March.
"The new Pride Celebration watch face and iPhone wallpaper will be available next week, and requires watchOS 9.5 and iOS 16.5," said Apple.
In addition to a new Pride Celebration wallpaper, iOS 16.5 includes just one small but useful change for the iPhone, a new Sports tab in the Apple News app. Overall, the update is a relatively minor one and comes just weeks ahead of Apple announcing iOS 17 at WWDC in June.
An overview of iOS 16.5 changes follows.
Pride Wallpaper
iOS 16.5 will include a new Pride Celebration wallpaper designed to match the new Pride Edition band for the Apple Watch.
Sports Tab in Apple News
Apple has added a Sports tab to the News app on iOS 16.5, giving you easy access to news, scores, and schedules for your favorite teams and leagues. This information was previously available in the Today tab, but it is now featured more prominently as Apple continues to push deeper into sports content across its services.
iOS 16.5 Release Notes
This update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:
- A new Pride Celebration wallpaper for the Lock Screen to honor the LGBTQ+ community and culture - Sports tab in Apple News gives easy access to stories, scores, standings, and more, for the teams and leagues you follow - My Sports score and schedule cards in Apple News take you directly to game pages where you can find additional details about specific games - Fixes an issue where Spotlight may become unresponsive - Addresses an issue where Podcasts in CarPlay may not load content - Fixes an issue where Screen Time settings may reset or not sync across all devices
Apple says that Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro feature all-new touch interfaces that take advantage of multi-touch on the iPad:
Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for iPad bring all-new touch interfaces that allow users to enhance their workflows with the immediacy and intuitiveness of multi-touch. Final Cut Pro for iPad introduces a powerful set of tools for video creators to record, edit, finish, and share, all from one portable device. Logic Pro for iPad puts the power of professional music creation in the hands of the creator — no matter where they are — with a complete collection of sophisticated tools for songwriting, beat making, recording, editing, and mixing.
Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for the iPad will each be available for $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year, with a one-month free trial. Final Cut Pro requires an iPad with an M1 chip or newer, while Logic Pro requires an A12 Bionic iPad or newer. The apps will be available on the App Store starting on Tuesday, May 23.
Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro includes a digital jog wheel to navigate the Magnetic Timeline, move clips, and make frame-accurate edits. Live drawing allows users to draw and write directly on top of video content with the Apple Pencil, with support for Apple Pencil hover to skim and preview footage. Key commands are enabled when using an external keyboard. Final Cut Pro on iPad also supports the 12.9-inch iPad Pro's Reference Mode for color accurate editing.
Machine learning features include Scene Removal Mask to quickly remove or replace backgrounds without using a green screen, Auto Crop for adjusting footage for vertical, square, and other aspect ratios, and Voice Isolation to remove background noise easily.
The app includes a library of graphics, effects, and audio, including HDR backgrounds, animated patterns, and soundtracks that automatically adjust to the duration of a video.
Pro camera mode allows creators to shoot video in Final Cut Pro in landscape or portrait, monitor audio and recording time, and manually control settings like exposure, white balance, and focus. Multicam video editing automatically synchronizes clips for editing together, making it possible to switch angles with a single touch.
Media can be imported from Files or Photos and saved directly inside a Final Cut Pro project. The app also supports import of projects created in iMovie, and users can export Final Cut Pro projects made on iPad to the Mac.
Logic Pro
Logic Pro for the iPad uses a range of multi-touch gestures to play software instruments and and navigate projects. The Apple Pencil facilitates precision edits and detailed drawn track automation. Like Final Cut Pro, key commands are supported when using an external keyboard. Using the iPad's built-in microphones, users can also capture audio directly in the app.
The app has a full-featured mixer with channel strips, volume faders, pan controls, plug‑ins, sends, and precise automation. Multi-touch lets creators move and mix multiple faders at once, and the mixer meter bridge lets them navigate an overview of track levels.
An all-new sound browser with dynamic filtering helps creators explore all available instrument patches, audio patches, plug‑in presets, samples, and loops in one location. Users can simply tap to listen to any sound before adding it to a project.
The app includes over 100 instruments and effect plug-ins, with plug-in tiles for the most important controls. Production tools enable users to chop and flip samples, program beats and bass lines, and create custom drum kits.
A new time and pitch-morphing plug-in called Beat Breaker allows creators to swipe and pinch to reshape and shuffle sounds. The Quick Sampler can chop and transform samples into new playable instruments, while Step Sequencer lets users program drum patterns, bass lines, and melodies, and automate plug‑ins. Drum Machine Designer offers the ability to create custom drum kits by applying samples and plug‑ins to any drum pad. Using Live Loops, users can quickly build arrangements.
Logic Pro for the iPad supports roundtrip capabilities to move projects between Logic Pro for the Mac and iPad. iPad users can export completed songs in multiple lossless and compressed formats, as well as individual audio track stems. Creators can make a soundtrack in Logic Pro and export it into Final Cut Pro when working across music and video. Logic Pro for the iPad also supports the ability to open GarageBand projects.
Apple today introduced a new Pride Edition Sport Band for the Apple Watch, accompanied by a matching watch face and iPhone wallpaper. Priced at $49, the band will be available to order on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app starting May 23, and will be available at select Apple Store locations beginning May 24.
Inspired by the LGBTQ+ community, the new Pride band features a confetti-like design showcasing the original Pride flag colors and five others. The band is available in 41mm and 45mm sizes for the Apple Watch Series 3 and later.
Inspired by the strength and beauty of the LGBTQ+ community, the new Sport Band design showcases the original pride flag rainbow colors and five others — black and brown symbolize Black and Latin communities, in addition to those who have passed away from or are living with HIV/AIDS, while light blue, pink, and white represent transgender and nonbinary individuals.
The matching Pride Celebration watch face and iPhone wallpaper will be available next week, and will require watchOS 9.5 and iOS 16.5 or later.
Apple releases a new Pride band each year and continues to support and bring awareness to LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations around the world.
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.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models launching in 2024 will feature around 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, respectively, according to oft-accurate display industry analyst Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants.
Young informed MacRumors that the 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes are rounded up. In response to our news story, Young said he will reveal the actual sizes to two decimal places during his speech at the Display Week conference in Los Angeles on May 23. Young did not indicate if the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will also have larger displays.
The new display sizes would be the largest ever for the iPhone, as the device continues to get bigger. By comparison, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are equipped with 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays, respectively, and these sizes are not expected to change with the iPhone 15 Pro models launching later this year.
Young has a good track record with display-related information about future Apple products. In the past, he accurately revealed that ProMotion was coming to the iPhone 13 Pro and the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, that the sixth-generation iPad mini would be equipped with a larger 8.3-inch display, and many other details.
As widely rumored, the iPhone 15 Pro Max will exclusively feature an upgraded Telephoto lens with periscope technology, according to Twitter account @URedditor. In a tweet today, the leaker said they finally independently confirmed this information.
Last month, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reiterated that the periscope lens will enable up to 5x-6x optical zoom when shooting photos with the rear camera on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, compared to up to 3x on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. When taking a photo, optical zoom does not have any blurriness when zooming in, like digital zoom does.
With a periscope lens, light absorbed by the image sensor is bent or "folded," allowing for a greater distance between the camera elements within the compact design of a smartphone. This technology allows for increased optical zoom and is already used by some Android brands like Samsung, Google, and Huawei, with phones like the Pixel 7 Pro and Galaxy S23 Ultra offering between 5x and 10x optical zoom.
Apple will launch the iPhone 15 Pro Max in September. Other upcoming models, including the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, and iPhone 15 Pro, are not expected to feature a periscope lens. For more details, read our periscope lens guide.
@URedditor was the first source to share alleged real-world images of the iPhone 15 Pro, but they do not have a long-term track record with Apple rumors.
YouTuber Unbox Therapy has shared a hands-on look at the iPhone 15 Pro Max using a one-to-one replica created by third-party case makers with access to early Apple schematics, and by far the most obvious difference is the sheer thinness of the bezels around the display.
The video provides a side-by-side comparison between the iPhone 14 Pro Max and its direct successor, and as Unbox Therapy notes, bezel thinness on the unreleased model looks "almost half" the size of those found on its predecessor, potentially offering the best screen-to-bezel ratio of any smartphone.
Both iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to have thinner, curved bezels compared to the iPhone 14 Pro, resulting in an Apple Watch-like appearance, and rumors suggest the larger 6.7-inch model will have the most minimal of bezels.
According to leaker Ice Universe, the iPhone 15 Pro Max will "break the record" of 1.81mm bezels held by the Xiaomi 13, with Apple's upcoming model coming with a bezel width of just 1.55mm at the thinnest edge. For comparison, the iPhone 14 Pro’s bezel measurements are 2.17mm, while the Samsung Galaxy Ultra S23 bezels measure in at 1.95mm.
Unbox Therapy's replica includes the button configuration on the new Pro models as they were originally rumored, with a single unified volume button and an additional software-configurable button in lieu of the mute switch, suggesting the mockup was based on early schematics.
As rumors stand, the mute switch is still gone but the volume buttons are now believed to be separate on the iPhone 15 Pro models, while the rumored solid-state haptic volume buttons and new Taptic Engine have apparently been delayed until next year's models, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
Apple's new iPhone 15 series is expected to be launched in September as usual. For everything we know about what to expect in the new devices, click the links below.
The upcoming Apple Watch Series 9 will include a new processor based on the A15 chip that was first used in the iPhone 13 models, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman shared the information in the new Discord channel for his Power On newsletter subscribers.
The Apple Watch Series 8, like the Series 7 before it, uses a chip that's essentially identical to the S6 chip that was used in the Apple Watch Series 6. Apple calls the Apple Watch Series 8 chip the "S8," but it is a two-year-old chip with no speed improvements.
Gurman says that the Series 9 chip will be a "new processor" rather than a rebranding of the prior-generation chip, and when asked whether the chip would be based on the A15 chip, he said that he believed that would be the case.
With an updated chip that's built using the A15 technology, the Apple Watch Series 9 could see speed and efficiency improvements, resulting in quicker load times and better battery life. The new chip could help power some of the updated features that Apple plans to introduce in watchOS 10. Apple is working on overhauling the watchOS interface in watchOS 10, with a specific focus on a new widget system.
While we are expecting some notable changes to watchOS this year, the Apple Watch Series 9 will be largely similar to the Series 8. No major design updates are expected, but we will see a modest speed boost due to the new chip.
"Peridot," the latest game from augmented reality company Niantic, is now available for download from the App Store. A Tamagotchi-style game, Peridot allows users to choose a virtual pet to raise.
As with Niantic's other games, Peridot is an augmented reality title that encourages players to take their pets for walks in the real world. During walks, users can collect items, discover new places, and capture photos.
The game syncs with the Health app to allow players to earn walking distance even when the app is closed, and the augmented reality interface is quick and responsive, letting users tap a spot on the screen to direct their pet.
The Peridot or "Dot" is raised from birth, and players can pet, feed, and play with their Dots to help them grow. In addition to exploring places in the real world and uncovering items, there is a breeding mechanic that can unlock new Peridot archetypes. Raising a Peridot into an adult and leveling up unlocks new character traits that can be used for future pets.
Dots are modeled after existing animals and mythological creatures like cheetahs, dragons, unicorns, and more, with "infinite possibilities of Peridot archetypes" available.
Niantic first announced Peridot in April 2022, so it has been in development for over a year. The official launch date is May 9, but the game is available for download as of today. [Direct Link]
The refurbished models are discounted by approximately 15 percent compared to the equivalent brand new configurations. Apple tests, inspects, cleans, and repackages all refurbished Macs to ensure they are fully functional and in good condition, and they are covered by a one-year limited warranty and eligible for AppleCare+ coverage.
The latest MacBook Pro models provide up to 20% faster performance and up to 30% faster graphics compared to the previous generation. The laptops can also be configured with up to 96GB of RAM, compared to a max of 64GB previously, and they feature Wi-Fi 6E, an HDMI 2.1 port with 8K external display support, and longer battery life.
Today we're tracking a few fresh discounts on Apple's latest MacBook Pro at Amazon. These markdowns include a return of the best-ever price on the entry-level 10-Core M2 Pro, 512GB 14-inch model at $1,749.99, down from $1,999.00.
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.
You can get both space gray and silver at this discounted price, but silver is seeing delayed delivery dates into June, while space gray can be delivered as soon as May 17. This price is a match of the previous all-time low price on this model.
In a rarer discount, we're also tracking a new sale on the 12-Core M2 Max, 1TB 14-inch MacBook Pro at Amazon. You can get this notebook for $2,849.99, down from $3,099.00. Both colors are on sale at this price, but stock on space gray is dwindling fast.
In terms of the larger screen model, Amazon also has a few notable discounts on the 16-inch MacBook Pro. You can get the 12-Core M2 Pro, 512GB 16-inch notebook for $2,249.99, down from $2,499.00. This deal is available in both colors and they're both in stock with delivery estimated for around May 10 through May 14.
Lastly, you can get the 12-Core M2 Pro, 1TB 16-inch MacBook Pro for $2,449.99, down from $2,699.00. Both colors are on sale at this price, and silver is starting to dwindle as of writing, although delivery dates for both are still estimated for around May 10.
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.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
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.
