Ahead of WWDC kicking off in a little over one week, interesting trademark filing details for "realityOS," the name for Apple's upcoming AR/VR headset operating system, have been resurfaced online, offering a clue as to what Apple may have in store to share at this year's conference.
The two separate trademark filings (1, 2) were resurfaced by Parker Ortolani on Twitter, who notes that while both were initially submitted on December 8, 2021, more interestingly, they're both listed with foreign filing date deadlines of June 8, 2022, just two days after Apple's main WWDC keynote. Another filing on the USPTO website lists a foreign filing date deadline of June 9, 2022.
The filings themselves are not labeled or marked as Apple trademarks, but several hints indicate the Cupertino tech giant owns them. The filings are under a company that goes by the name of "Realityo Systems LLC," and as noted by Parker, the corporate location used by this company is the same address Apple has used in past years to hold onto macOS California release names ahead of launch.
"realityOS" was accidentally referenced by Apple in App Store update logs earlier this year, confirming its existence in some capacity. rOS, short for realityOS, was first reported by Bloombergin 2017 with the internal codename "Oak."
realityOS will first run on a high-end, niche AR/VR headset Apple is planning to announce this year or early next year, according to Bloomberg. Apple recently previewed its mixed reality headset to its board, implying that the product is nearing completion.
Rumors have been quiet on whether or not Apple plans to announce hardware at WWDC this year, but the dates of the trademark filings hint that Apple may have more to share about its vision for the future of AR/VR. For the first time since September 2019, Apple is also inviting select members of the press and has invited developers from the App Store community to attend a special event at Apple Park on June 6.
Update: Since this article was published, both Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman and a practicing lawyer have claimed that the trademark filing date deadlines are actually a legal requirement and that their closeness to WWDC is likely mere coincidence.
It's Memorial Day weekend in the United States, and that means WWDC is right around the corner and anticipation is building for what we might see at the opening keynote. Software updates are a given, but will we see any new hardware?
Other news this week included the annual release of new Pride-themed Apple Watch bands, iPhone 14 Pro rumors, and Sony's latest headphones that compete against the AirPods Max, so read for all of the details!
Apple Shares WWDC 2022 Schedule Starting With Keynote
One of the most exciting times of the year for Apple fans is fast approaching, with WWDC now under two weeks away.
Apple this week shared a schedule for WWDC, which will kick off with the keynote on Monday, June 6 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. At the weeklong developer conference, Apple is expected to preview its latest software, including iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16.
WWDC will be an online affair again this year, but some lucky developers were randomly selected to attend a special day at Apple Park on June 6 for a tour and to watch the keynote video in person.
A new Pride watch face is also available for the Apple Watch Series 4 or newer. The watch face's colorful threads move as the Digital Crown on the Apple Watch is rotated, the display is tapped, or the wearer's wrist is raised.
iPhone 14 Pro Screen Refresh Rate Upgrade Could Allow for Always-On Display
Display industry consultant Ross Young this week shared his expectation that the ProMotion displays used in the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will be capable of dropping to a refresh rate as low as 1Hz. This upgrade could pave the way for an always-on display and/or longer battery life. The Apple Watch has featured an always-on display since the Series 5 was released in 2019, allowing for the clock and other on-screen elements to be viewed at any time.
iPhone 14 Pro Renders Highlight Multiple Design Changes
Speaking of the iPhone 14 Pro, leaker Jon Prosser and graphic designer Ian Zelbo have shared some brand-new renderings of what the iPhone 14 Pro is expected to look like, reflecting a number of design changes rumored for the device.
In addition to the much-discussed shift from a notch to a "hole and pill" design for the front camera and Face ID, the renderings include a larger camera array that will necessitate a change of the corner radii of the entire device for a slightly rounder appearance.
Sony's New WH-1000XM5 Headphones vs. AirPods Max
Sony last week came out with an updated version of its popular over-ear noise canceling headphones, so we picked up a pair to compare them to the AirPods Max to see which headphones are better.
Sony's new "WH-1000XM5" headphones are priced at $399 in the United States, while the AirPods Max retail for $549. Watch our video for a comparison of the headphones to see which is a better value and check out our complete review of Sony's latest cans.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
There's just over a week to go until the 2022 Worldwide Developers Conference, which is one of the biggest Apple events of the year. We've heard surprisingly little about iOS 16 this year, so we're in for some major surprises when June 6 rolls around.
As we wait for the keynote event, we thought we'd share some iOS 16 wishlist items from MacRumors readers, because who knows? We just might see some of these features in the next-generation version of iOS. Everything on this list is sourced from iOS 16 discussion on the MacRumors forums.
Interface
More control over placement of app icons on the Home screen
Option to hide or move dock
Option to add more apps to dock
Always-on clock on Lock screen
Customizable quick launch buttons to replace Camera and Flashlight
Dark mode icons
Split view on iPhone
A screen for most recently used apps
Battery percent in status bar
Support for themes and a theme store
Widgets and Control Center
Lock screen widgets
Interactive/live widgets
Control Center API for third-party apps
Notifications
Clear all button for notifications
LED visual for notifications
Mac-style browser notifications
Option to snooze notifications
Universal notifications - notifications clear from all devices when read on one
Read receipts and typing indicator for Messages group chats
Option to delete all attachments in Messages
Edit feature for Messages
Scheduled sending and snooze in Mail
Equalizer settings for the Music app
Non-precise location sharing in Find My
Find My location history
HomeKit guest mode
Better organization in Settings, including submenu for third-party apps
Option to prevent a photo from being synced to all devices
Miscellaneous
Different ringtones for each SIM
Better budgeting tools for Apple Card
Folder/app locking
Face ID authentication instead of CAPTCHAs
Stock keyboard haptic feedback
Option to share actual Focus status (working, sleeping, etc)
For the iPad
Calculator app
Weather app
Support for separate app windows
Support for multiple users
What's Rumored
In years past, we've had early versions of iOS leak out, giving us a fairly good idea of what to expect. That's not the case this year, and we only have a few details on what could be included in iOS 16.
The iPhone 14 Pro models won't have a standard notch, which means we could see some minor design changes, and there are rumors about Health app improvements, such as a medicine management tool.
Unspecified notification updates are in the works, and we could see emergency satellite messaging features and updates related to car crash detection. iPadOS 16 might be getting new multitasking features, and we could also see support for services that Apple is working on, such as a hardware subscription service.
Popular media platform Plex today announced the launch of a beta version of the Plex Media Server that has native Apple silicon support.
The new version of the Plex Media Server uses the "Universal" build for Macs, which means it is compatible with Apple silicon and Intel Macs. At the current time, the release version of the Plex Media Server runs using Rosetta 2.
Since the introduction of the Apple M1 chip for macOS, users have asked for Plex Media Server to natively support "Apple Silicon". The existing Mac server versions run just fine under Rosetta2, but native is always better, right? Well, here it is!!!
We present, the Plex Media Server "Universal" build for macOS. This new package includes Plex Media Server for both Intel and Apple Silicon architectures, so you don't have to worry about what you are installing.
The preview version of the Plex Media Server must be installed manually and will not auto update to newer releases, which is something to keep in mind. It can be downloaded from the Plex website.
On Apple silicon Macs, Plex users can expect improved transcoding speeds, though there may not be a significant difference. The code will be more stable and efficient on the CPU, according to Plex developers.
Amazon today announced that it is dropping support for its Cloud Cam indoor security camera, which launched in 2017. In an email, Amazon said customers will no longer be able to use the Cloud Cam and all companion apps starting December 2, 2022.
Cloud Cam users will be able to download any video recordings until December 2, 2022, at which point all video history will be deleted, according to Amazon's email.
Amazon said it has decided to focus its efforts on other smart home technologies, including its Ring and Blink lines of products. Amazon is offering customers who still actively use the Cloud Cam a complimentary Blink Mini indoor security camera and a one-year Blink Plus subscription plan, while customers who still actively use the Cloud Cam "Key Edition" that works with smart locks will also be eligible for a fourth-generation Echo as a substitute hub for connecting compatible smart locks via the Alexa app.
Update:MacRumors received the following statement from an Amazon spokesperson:
Starting on December 2, 2022, customers will no longer be able to use their Amazon Cloud Cam and Amazon Cloud Cam—Key Edition. Those still actively using their Cloud Cam will be eligible for a complementary Blink Mini and a full year of a Blink Subscription Plan; those still using Cloud Cam—Key Edition, will also be eligible for an Echo (4th Gen). We will continue to offer innovative smart home security solutions for our customers through Amazon’s Ring and Blink brands.
If you've been looking for an iPad stand that can turn your iPad from a tablet to a desktop computing option, MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has a recommendation for you. In his latest YouTube video, Dan checks out the MagFlott Magnetic iPad Stand from CharJenPro.
Priced at $129, the MagFlott is sturdy, attractive, and has tilt and rotate functions, so it's versatile and able to be positioned in landscape or portrait mode depending on your needs. It is sized for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the 11-inch iPad Pro, and the 10.9-inch iPad Air, and it comes in space gray and silver.
Make sure to watch the video up above to see it in action.
This week we saw a variety of deals ranging from Apple's MagSafe charging accessories to its MacBook Air and iPad devices, as well as a notable discount on the first year of 1Password for new users. All of these deals are still available today.
MagSafe Charger
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
We kicked off this week by focusing on a trio of deals on Apple's MagSafe accessory lineup, headlined by the MagSafe Charger, which is still available for $34.00, down from $39.00. This isn't the lowest price we've ever seen, but it is one of the rare times we've seen any sort of markdown in 2022.
You can also get the MagSafe Battery Pack for $79.99 ($19 off) and the MagSafe Duo Charger for $114.97 ($14 off), both available on Amazon. The MagSafe Battery Pack has dropped even further compared to when we posted earlier in the week, when it was around $87.
We shared a deal on the 2020 M1 MacBook Air (256GB) earlier this week, and today the Gold color option is still available at $899.99, down from $999.00. This is a second-best price on the MacBook Air, and shipping estimates right now sit in early to mid June.
iPads
What's the deal? Take up to $90 off iPad and iPad mini
A pair of markdowns on the iPad and iPad mini 6 are still live today on Amazon as well, starting with the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 6 for $409.00, down from $499.00. The 64GB Wi-Fi iPad is on sale for $309.00, down from $329.00.
1Password
What's the deal? Take 50% off first year of 1Password
1Password this week is offering 50 percent off the first year of its Individual and Family Plans, only for new subscribers. To get the deal, head to 1Password's website and click "Try FREE for 14 days" on either the individual or family plan to create an account. Once your first year ends, regular pricing on the plan will return if you choose to renew.
Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
Sony this week launched the updated version of its premium flagship noise-canceling headphones. If your only interest is how the $400 WH-1000XM5 from Sony stack up against Apple's $549 AirPods Max, be sure to check out our direct comparison. The following is a standalone review of Sony's latest headphones.
Since they launched in August 2020, Sony's WH-1000XM4 headphones have been among the best cans on the over-ear noise-canceling market, which is probably why Sony has chosen to keep them in its lineup despite the release of this latest iteration. You can still buy the XM4's for $349, while the XM5's retail for $399. But does paying the extra $50 get you a better listening experience? The short answer is yes, but the performance gains are less than groundbreaking, and any decision to upgrade is likely to be dictated by the overhauled design.
While the XM5's still come in black or silver (off-white) color options, Sony has overhauled the look and feel of its flagship WH-1000 series headphones. Where XM4's have shrouded arms that cradle the ear cups on both sides, the XM5's have exposed arms with a single stem attached to the cups, which are slightly wider and more padded than on the previous generation.
Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones shown on the right
Elsewhere, Sony has moved the microphone holes closer to the wearer's head with the aim of lowering wind noise when out and about. The headband has also been made a little thinner, and these changes make for a cleaner style that's vaguely reminiscent of Bose's 700. The headphones' weight hasn't gone down much (250 grams versus the XM4's 254 grams) but Sony's cans are still far lighter than Apple's AirPods Max (384 grams).
Overall the XM5's look more plasticky than their predecessors, but they do feel more robust in the hand. This could be due to the fact that there are fewer pivot points and therefore fewer potential points of weakness, but either way the differences instill confidence when adjusting the cups, and they do feel exceedingly comfortable even after wearing them for several hours straight.
One glaring consequence of the redesign is that the headphones don't fold like they do on the XM4's, which has forced Sony to come up with a larger, less portable carry case. Without overblowing the difference in size, it has to be said that this feels like a downgrade, especially when you're used to stowing your XM4's in a small compartment and not the main section of your bag. Regardless of how many people intend to keep these headphones at home, there's no getting away from the fact that noise-canceling cans are made for travel/commuting, as Sony's marketing indeed suggests.
In terms of sonics, Sony has switched out the 40mm drivers of the XM4's and replaced them with 30mm drivers. The difference is hard to notice, and you have to give over your full attention to tell them apart, but the low bass frequencies on the XM5's sound more fleshed out, while the mid-range remains wonderfully balanced, the highs still sparkle on instrumental tracks, and the whole experience retains that spacious, detailed soundstage that XM4 owners will be familiar with.
As before, the headphones use LDAC to deliver the high-resolution audio, given the correct source device, while SBC, aptX/aptX HD, and AAC codecs are all supported, as is DSEE Extreme upscaling for compressed audio. Sony's 360 Reality Audio spatial sound effect is also on board, and the effect is clear and enveloping, for those who like that sort of thing. Purists also have the option of plugging in the supplied cable into the 3.5mm jack.
As for noise canceling, Sony has kept with the same QN1 processor that it uses in the XM4's, which means you still have the full repertoire of adaptive NC options at your fingertips. Fire up the Sony Headphones Connect app and you can manually drag a slider that changes the degree of noise-cancelation, allowing you to select maximum isolation, wind noise reduction, or choose from among 20 levels of varying ambient attenuation.
It's great for finding your ideal NC range while you're stationary, but you can also switch to adaptive sound control when you're on the move and the built-in QN1 processor will do just as good a job, automatically adjusting its corresponding inverted frequencies to block out whatever environmental sounds come your way.
What's more, Sony has increased the number of microphones to eight (four more than the previous model) and moved them into what Sony says is a more optimal position to attenuate high-frequency noises, and they'd be right. Low-frequency sounds like jet engines and traffic melt away just like before, but the XM5's are better at cutting out background chatter in a busy coffee shop or on a commute.
There's also reduced ambient noise on voice calls, which are decent enough for over-ear headphones. I didn't have a pair of AirPods Max on hand to directly compare the XM5's NC chops, but the Transparency mode on AirPods Pro is a little better than Sony has managed. Otherwise, these noise-canceling cans are definitely up there with the best of them.
One thing that's missing from the XM5's that the previous model had is the optimize button, which handled the personal NC optimizer feature that samples ambient noise and cancels out a wider range of sounds with corresponding inverted frequencies. Enabling the feature on the XM4's makes the headphone speakers emit a series of tones that bounce back and forth between the mics to analyze the shape of your head, work out whether you have big hair, wear glasses, and so on. Sony says this is now all done automatically and in the background, and I can't say I missed its manually enabled incarnation.
When it comes to battery life, Sony impresses by eking out the same 30 hours of wireless battery life with ANC on that the XM4's do, and 40 hours with ANC off (10 more than the previous model). In addition, Sony has upped the ante in the Power Delivery stakes, and you can now get three hours of playback from just three minutes on the supplied USB-C charger. The XM5's also support multipoint, so you can connect to two devices at once, but as with the XM4's you can't use the feature and LDAC at the same time for some reason.
Like previous cans in the WH-1000X range, the two buttons on the left ear cup control power and noise-canceling/ambient sound features. As before, the power button can be quickly pressed for a battery level update, and a long press activates the pairing sequence. The right ear cup has a touch-sensitive back that responds to taps and swipes to control music playback, skip tracks, change volume, and invoke your preferred virtual assistant. Like most modern headphone gesture pads, it can also be used to take calls.
Bottom Line
Sony didn't have to redesign the XM5's, but the fact is these headphones look more in keeping with the current zeitgeist – slick, slimline cans that look stylish while retaining the audio performance that Sony's flagship headphones have become famous for. Overall, the design overhaul is a positive, but if you're a frequent traveler, the added bulk that comes with not being foldable might be enough to put you off.
If you already have a pair of XM4's, the difference between them and the XM5's isn't enough to necessitate an upgrade (I for one am satisfied with mine). However, Sony has built on the previous model's success without too much compromise, and if you're in the market for a solid pair of high-performance noise-canceling headphones with sonics to match, I can only recommend them.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are available to order today from the Sony website and on Amazon for $399.
Note: Sony provided MacRumors with the WH-1000XM5 headphones for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. 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.
Amazon is kicking off the long weekend with the return of a few all-time low prices on the Apple Watch Series 7, starting as low as $329.99 for the 41mm GPS models. These sales reach up to $70 off, and in every model listed below you'll find record low discounts. Below we focus on the aluminum versions of the Apple Watch, but Amazon is also offering discounts on a few stainless steel models.
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.
41mm GPS Aluminum
The cheapest available Apple Watch Series 7 model is the 41mm GPS device, on sale for $329.00 in three colors, down from $399.00. Although we've seen one color (Green) at a cheaper price during a rare discount a few months ago, for most colors this is an all-time low price.
Only two colors are on sale for the 45mm GPS Apple Watch Series 7, and both are at a record low price for this model, which is $359.00, down from $429.00. Only the (Product)Red and Green Aluminum colors are seeing this all-time low discount right now.
For the Cellular aluminum models of the Apple Watch Series 7 you'll find similarly solid discounts today. The 41mm Cellular Apple Watch Series 7 is priced at $429.00, down from $499.00, and coming in about $20 under the previous record low discount.
Finally, Amazon has every aluminum model of the 45mm Cellular Apple Watch Series 7 at $459.00, down from $529.00. Similar to the other sales, this price beats the previous best deal by about $20 and only Amazon is offering the sale.
The "A16" chip for the iPhone will reportedly be manufactured with the same process as the iPhone 13's A15 Bionic, with Apple saving a bigger performance leap for the "M2" chip designed for its next-generation Macs. Meanwhile, the company is working on a "final" M1 chip variant that uses more powerful cores from the A15, according to the leaker known as "ShrimpApplePro."
In a thread on Twitter, ShrimpApplePro shared information from "a fairly reliable source" that purports to reveal Apple's chip plans for the upcoming A16 and M2 chips, as well as the "final" variant in the M1 family of chips.
The A16 will reportedly be based on TSMC's 5nm process, just like the A14, A15, and M1 chips. Previous reports have been unclear about whether the A16 will be fabricated with TSMC's more advanced 4nm process, with an ambiguous report from DigiTimes claiming that Apple plans to use TSMC's 4nm N4P process – but N4P is in fact an enhanced, third-generation version of the 5nm process. On the other hand, ShrimpApplePro said that the A16 will use TSMC's N5P process. This suggests that the A16 may be less of a substantial upgrade than previously thought.
According to the information, the A16's improvements will instead come from minor enhancements to the CPU, GPU, and memory. Mirroring a report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, ShrimpApplePro said that the A16 will specifically feature LPDDR 5 memory. LPDDR 5 memory is up to one and a half times faster and up to 30 percent more power-efficient than the LPDDR 4X memory paired with the A15 chip in the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro.
The M2 chip will apparently be the first Apple chip to make the jump to TSMC's 3nm process, skipping 4nm entirely. The M2 is believed to be Apple's first custom ARMv9 processor.
Apple is also said to be working on the "final SoC of M1 series," featuring updated cores. The M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, and M1 Ultra chips use energy-efficient "Icestorm" cores and high-performance "Firestorm" cores – just like the A14 Bionic chip. Apple's final M1 variant will instead allegedly be based on the A15 Bionic, featuring "Blizzard" energy-efficient cores and "Avalanche" high-performance cores.
This final chip in the M1 family could be offered in the next-generation Mac Pro, which Apple explicitly teased earlier this year. Currently, Apple's most powerful chip is the M1 Ultra, which is effectively a doubled-up version of the M1 Max with a 20-core CPU and a 64-core GPU. With the first Apple silicon Mac Pro, Apple is believed to be working on a chip that is even more powerful than the M1 Ultra. The M1 Ultra in the Mac Studio is already faster than the 28-core Intel Xeon chip, so the Mac Pro will need to boast an even more extreme advance in performance.
Alternatively, if it is not for the Mac Pro, this new chip could be a variant of the standard M1 chip. Kuo said earlier this year that the 2022 MacBook Air would retain the M1 chip rather than feature the M2, so it is possible that ShrimpApplePro's rumor relates to the entry-level M1 rather than the top-tier M1 variant in the Apple silicon Mac Pro, or something else entirely. Offering devices with an iteration of the standard M1 chip could help Apple buy time before releasing Macs with the M2 chip.
ShrimpApplePro was unsure about the final naming of the "A16," "M2," and the final M1 chip variant and said that the rumor should be taken with a pinch of salt.
We're only a few days away from Memorial Day in the United States on Monday, May 30, and numerous retailers have opened up major discounts on Apple-related products as we head into the long weekend. Below you'll find markdowns from popular accessory companies like Nomad, Hyper, JBL, Casely, Belkin, Brydge, and more.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Twelve South
Everything on Twelve South's website is 20 percent off during its Memorial Day sale this weekend. This deal has been applied automatically, so you can shop sitewide on Twelve South and add an item to your cart to see the markdown.
Twelve South sells accessories that exclusively focus on Apple products, including ergonomic stands for the iMac, cases for the MacBook, folios for the iPhone, protective cases for the AirPods, and much more.
Satechi
Satechi's Memorial Day discount code MD15 is taking 15 percent off your order, while MD20 is taking 20 percent off if your order exceeds $100. These codes work sitewide on Satechi's website.
This code is only compatible at select eBay storefronts, mainly focusing on tech, home, fashion, and outdoor products. You'll have until May 30 to use the code as well.
Hyper
Hyper has 20 percent off select accessories this week with the code MEMO20 used at checkout.
Additionally, Nomad began a new Outlet Sale this week offering up to 90 percent off accessories like Apple Watch Bands, Lightning cables, iPhone cases, and more. Nomad's Outlet Sale items are final sale once purchased.
Other Sales
Adorama - Save on photo gear, computers, video equipment, gaming accessories, and more.
Google has announced long-omitted support for using keyboard shortcuts to cut, copy, and paste files in Google Drive on the web – but only if you're accessing the service through its Chrome browser.
In what may come as a surprise to some, Google Drive on the web has never offered access to clipboard functions, despite providing keyboard shortcuts to perform several actions on selected items.
The new support for ⌘ + C (or Ctrl + C on PC), ⌘ + X, and ⌘ + V to copy, cut and paste Google Drive files should save users time by allowing them to copy one or more files and move them to new locations in Drive – and across multiple Chrome tabs – with fewer clicks.
Google says a link to the file and its title is now captured when copying a file, which allows users to paste them into a document or an email. In addition, copying a file and pressing ⌘ + Shift + V key creates shortcuts for organizing files in multiple locations without necessarily creating duplicate files.
Lastly, Chrome users can now open files or folders in a new tab using ⌘ + Enter, which should make it easier to view multiple files at once, or use different tabs to more easily organize files between two different folder locations.
Earlier this month, Google Docs gained an additional new feature that allows users to select multiple sections of text and apply actions such as delete, copy, paste, or format to all selections at the same time.
In news that could weigh heavily on the future success of Apple TV, Microsoft has confirmed it is working to bring an affordable streaming device to market that would allow users to play Xbox games without the need for a full-blown console.
It has been suggested for years that Microsoft wants to make gaming accessible to more people by cutting out the need to invest in a pricey console. The Xbox Cloud Gaming platform, which works on many devices including iPhone and iPad, is the company's software-based answer to that challenge, but it appears Microsoft isn't stopping there.
Speaking to Windows Central, Microsoft revealed it is actively working on new Xbox hardware. Codenamed "Keystone," the streaming device sounds similar to Chromecast and Google Stadia in that it will connect to any TV or monitor via HDMI, allowing users to tap into Microsoft's vast games catalog, as well as any other streaming content it chooses to host.
The company didn't provide any more details about the dongle or a potential launch date, but said that it had recently taken the decision to "pivot away" from its original vision for the device, which would allow it to "deliver Xbox Cloud Gaming to more players around the world in the future."
Along with access to triple-A console games, Microsoft's device is likely to double as a set-top box on which users can access popular streaming services as well as the company's own media apps like Microsoft Movies & TV.
Apple at one point was working on a low-cost Apple TV dongle, but those plans have been abandoned. Apple is now planning to launch a new version of the Apple TV in the second half of 2022, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo believes that the new Apple TV will have an improved cost structure, which suggests a lower price point than the current Apple TV (from $179) that is more competitive with other streaming media players.
Whatever the next iteration of Apple TV looks like, Apple's subscription-based gaming platform Apple Arcade will struggle to compete with a Microsoft dongle that can stream titles including Fortnite, Halo, Need for Speed, The Sims, and many other popular Xbox games.
Apple is preparing for the Worldwide Developers Conference that's set to kick off in less than two weeks, and today updated the Apple Developer app with information about the 2022 event.
The Apple Developer app has details on session videos, Digital Lounges, labs, coding challenges, and more for WWDC 2022, allowing developers to sign up to participate directly within the app.
Developers can watch WWDC content together over FaceTime using the SharePlay function that has been added to the Apple Developer app.
Apple says that there are several enhancements, including improved search, keyboard shortcuts for iPadOS, and more. Full release notes for the update are below:
Thank you for your feedback! New in this release: - Explore all WWDC22 has to offer, including session videos, Digital Lounges, 1-on-1 labs, Coding & Design Challenges, and more. - Sign up for interactive activities like Digital Lounges and labs directly inside the Developer app. - Watch videos together using SharePlay. We've also fixed bugs and added various other enhancements: - We've rebuilt our search to be more extensive and to support quoted phrases. - We've added more keyboard shortcuts for iPadOS. - We now list your downloads in the order that you started the download.
The Apple Developer app can be downloaded from the App Store for free. It is available on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. [Direct Link]
There appear to be ongoing issues with Instagram, based on a number of complaints from Instagram users who are unable to use the social network as normal.
Some users have been logged out of the app and are not able to access it at all, while others are seeing blank image posts or are having issues loading images.
Still others are seeing older images in the timeline that were originally posted weeks or months ago, or are unable to load Stories and comments.
Meta has not yet commented on the outage, but there are numerous reports on the Downdetector website from users who are having problems.
Senator Amy Klobuchar last night introduced a revised version [PDF] of the American Choice and Innovation Act, as the U.S. government continues to work toward legislation that targets major tech companies and that would mandate sideloading on the iPhone.
There are few changes to the bill that would alleviate Apple's concerns about it, and the Cupertino company provided a statement to MacRumors.
We created the iPhone and the App Store to be a safe and trusted place for users to download the apps they love and a great business opportunity for developers everywhere. The result has been an unprecedented engine for economic growth, which has enabled competition and innovation and made it possible for any developer with a great idea to reach Apple customers around the world.
We remain concerned that this legislation threatens to break this model and undermine the privacy and security protections our users depend on. Governments and international agencies worldwide have explicitly advised against sideloading requirements, which would empower bad actors who want to target users--including children--with malware and scams, and make it easier for data-hungry companies to track users without their consent. At the end of the day, the changes made to the bill are a recognition that the legislation, as originally drafted, created unintended privacy and security vulnerabilities for users. We believe the proposed remedies fall far short of the protections consumers need, and urge lawmakers to make further changes to avoid these unintended consequences.
POLITICO this morning reported that some Senate Democrats are pushing back on the bill, but Democratic leaders are aiming for a vote by this summer. Democratic senators have reportedly expressed "deep reservations" about voting for the bill in its current form, as it could be too contentious for an election year, which has led Klobuchar to introduce a new version.
The revised bill is designed to address some of the concerns Senators have raised about the sweeping tech industry changes the legislation would introduce, but Apple maintains that the changes do not go far enough. The company says that the tweaks prove that the original legislation results in "unintended privacy and security vulnerabilities" for users, and that lawmakers need to make further changes to protect user privacy.
The updates make it easier for Apple to defend privacy changes that it implements, but Apple would still be required to demonstrate that each change is "reasonably tailored and reasonably necessary" and that it could not be achieved in another "materially less discriminatory" way. There are no changes to the requirement for Apple to allow for sideloading.
Under the wording of the bill, apps would be able to be installed on iPhones outside of the App Store, making iOS much more similar to the Android platform. Companies like Facebook would be able to work around the privacy protections on the iPhone through sideloading, and would not be subject to Apple's rules against tracking. The bill targets U.S. tech companies that include Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Google, but it places no restrictions on non-U.S. companies like Samsung, Oppo, Vivo, and other smartphone manufacturers that compete with Apple, which could be problematic in the future.
Apple has previously said that enabling sideloading would result in a flood of new attacks on iPhone users from bad actors eager to access the sensitive data stored on consumer devices. Predators and scammers would be able to "side-step Apple's privacy and security protections completely," with the bill allowing "malware, scams, and data-exploitation to proliferate."
Apple CEO Tim Cook in November said that consumers who want to sideload apps should look to Android rather than to iPhone. "If that is important to you then you should buy an Android phone," he said in an interview. "From our point of view, it would be like if I were an automobile manufacturer telling [a customer] not to put airbags and seat belts in the car."
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.
In addition to online ordering, the new Pride Edition Sport Loop and Pride Edition Nike Sport Loop for the Apple Watch are now available for purchase at select Apple Store locations around the world. In-store availability varies, with some locations offering pickup starting today and others offering pickup as late as June 1.
Apple said it released the bands in celebration of Pride month this June and in support of the global LGBTQ+ community and equality movement.
This year's Pride Edition Sport Loop has a lighter design and features the word "pride" woven directly into the band, while the Nike Sport Loop version is darker and does not have any inscription. Both bands are compatible with any Apple Watch model, with pricing set at $49 for each in the United States.
A new Pride watch face is also available for the Apple Watch Series 4 or newer. The watch face's colorful threads automatically move as the Digital Crown on the Apple Watch is rotated, the display is tapped, or the wearer's wrist is raised.
The iPhone 14 Max is currently behind schedule by around three weeks, according to Haitong International Securities analyst Jeff Pu.
Yesterday, Nikkei Asia reported that at least one iPhone 14 model was three weeks behind schedule due to the impact of lockdowns on Apple's supply chains in China, but it was not clear which iPhone 14 model this related to. Now, Pu has clarified that the model in question is the iPhone 14 Max, Apple's upcoming iPhone that is expected to bring a larger, 6.7-inch display size to its non-Pro line of smartphones.
Pu explained that the delay for the iPhone 14 Max has specifically been caused by Pegatron stopping production during Shanghai's latest lockdown. The iPhone 14 Max is not expected to enter mass production until late August, likely just weeks before the new iPhone lineup is unveiled at a September Apple event.
Currently, all four iPhone 14 models are believed to be in the engineering verification test (EVT) phase 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 new iPhones, Apple's main assemblers, Foxconn and Pegatron, enter a phase known as new product introduction (NPI) during which the manufacturing process is sketched out for the latest designs. NPI is followed by several final verification processes before mass production begins.
The iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max are still on schedule to reach mass production in early August, weeks ahead of the iPhone 14 Max, according to Pu. It is unclear whether the delay will translate to the iPhone 14 Max shipping later than the other iPhone 14 models, or simply being in short supply upon launch. Nikkei's sources suggested that the timeframe is still dependent on how much the iPhone 14 Max's development process can be accelerated.
Apple 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 impact initial production volumes of the iPhone 14 lineup more broadly. Similarly, it emerged earlier this month that Apple told Foxconn to start recruiting workers to assemble iPhone 14 models earlier than usual amid fears that China's lockdowns could lead to short supply or delays later in the year.
Update: After this article was published, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that Apple has not changed the shipping plan for the iPhone 14 models in spite of lockdowns in China. He reiterated that the iPhone 14 Max is indeed behind schedule, but the situation is reportedly under control and suppliers are able to work overtime to catch up. He believes that the iPhone 14 lineup's challenges "will come from the demand side rather than the supply side."
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.
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