Apple has listed two new apps on the App Store that are made exclusively for the Apple Watch Ultra: "Siren" and "Depth."
Siren is designed for emergency situations if users become lost or injured to draw attention to their location. When the Action button on Apple Watch Ultra is long-pressed, Siren emits a unique 86-decibel sound pattern which can be heard up to 600 feet (180 meters) away.
The Depth app is for use during recreational underwater activities to 130 feet (40 meters), from snorkeling, and free diving, to simply playing in a swimming pool.
Users can see their current depth, water temperature, duration under water as well as the maximum depth they've reached to 130 feet (40 meters). It can automatically activate as soon as Apple Watch Ultra is submerged, or manually launched like any other app.
The two apps are exclusively for Apple Watch Ultra models, which launch on Friday, September 23, so they can't actually be used by the general public yet.
Apple Watch Ultra models will come with the two apps pre-installed, and if users opt to delete the stock apps and then change their minds, they'll be able to re-download both from the App Store.
Priced at $799, the Apple Watch Ultra is available in a single 49mm size, with Trail, Ocean, and Alpine band options available. The new smartwatch can be pre-ordered now and launches alongside the second-generation AirPods Pro this coming Friday. For more on the Apple Watch Ultra's design and features, be sure to check out our dedicated roundup.
Rumors suggest Apple will announce new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models as soon as next month. The new iPads will be the first update to the iPad Pro series since April 2021 and will be an overall incremental upgrade that brings new capabilities and functionality to the highest-end iPad.
According to reports, Apple is planning an event for October to announce the new iPad Pro models, a new baseline iPad, and updates to the Mac. As we approach October, we've outlined the five biggest features and changes we might see for the upcoming iPad Pro.
Wireless Charging
The next iPad Pro is expected to include some form of wireless charging capability, according to a report from Bloomberg. Per reports, Apple has tested a glass back instead of an aluminum enclosure or using a larger glass Apple logo for the upcoming iPads, which would allow for wireless charging, although Apple has experienced some challenges implementing the technology. Apple is also reportedly considering adding MagSafe to the iPad, but how it would be implemented remains unknown.
New Connector
The upcoming iPad Pro will reportedly feature two new four-pin connectors of some sort, distinguished from the current three-pin Smart Connector in the iPad Pro. The current three-pin Smart Connector in the iPad Pro is used to connect accessories such as the Magic Keyboard. The inclusion of an updated four-pin connector could expand the type of accessories supported on the iPad.
M2 Chip
The current iPad Pro features the M1 Apple silicon chip announced in November 2020. The M1 chip was the Apple's first Mac-specific custom processor, and a few months later it also came to the iPad Pro. For the upcoming iPad Pro, Apple is expected to use the newer M2 chip, announced this past June. The M2 chip is up to 20% faster than the M1 chip, according to Apple.
In the iPad Pro, the M2 chip will power features such as Stage Manager, coming with iPadOS 16, which lets users link an iPad to an external display and have overlapping windows. iPadOS 16 will be released in October, according to Apple, most likely alongside the updated iPad Pro.
New Apple Pencil?
A video in April 2021 allegedly showcased the third-generation Apple Pencil with a glossy finish and a redesigned tip. Despite the alleged leak, Apple has not announced a new Apple Pencil since the second-generation model debuted in 2018, making it almost four years old.
It's been over a year since we've heard any significant rumors about a new Apple Pencil, so it's unclear where things stand at the moment. If there is indeed a new Apple Pencil coming, we aren't expecting major design changes but there could be some improvements to latency thanks to internal hardware upgrades and software optimizations.
Reverse Wireless Charging?
According to Bloomberg, Apple has tested reverse wireless charging for the iPad Pro, which would allow iPad users to charge their AirPods or iPhone by laying them on the back of the iPad. Rumors have suggested Apple eventually plans to bring bilateral charging to the iPhone for accessories such as AirPods, but that has not yet happened.
A YouTuber has quite literally crash-tested the iPhone 14's Crash Detection feature and found Apple's new emergency SOS function to reliably kick into action in the event of a controlled vehicle collision.
Serial gadget-smasher TechRax today published a video (embedded below) in which his team can be seen remotely controlling a driverless car containing an iPhone 14 Pro strapped to the headrest of the driver's seat as they attempt to plough it into a stationary vehicle.
After a series of near misses and the addition of several more decrepit road vehicles that form a wall to make for an easier target, the remotely controlled car successfully crashes at low speed in what could be described as a typical fender bender collision.
After what appears to be a short delay, the iPhone 14 Pro's Crash Detection feature is automatically activated, and the phone initiates an emergency SOS countdown, which is manually canceled by the team before it can call emergency services.
On the second successful attempt, the car hurtles into the wall of vehicles at a higher speed, its hood becoming concertinaed in the crash. Again, Apple's Crash Detection feature is reliably activated and then manually canceled by the team.
While the results of TechRax's tests don't necessarily prove that the feature works as reliably in real-world, non-controlled, severe collisions, the fact that it did activate as expected should give confidence to iPhone 14 owners who keep the feature enabled.
For Crash Detection to activate, the iPhone 14's motion sensor with a high dynamic range gyroscope and high-g accelerometer, GPS, barometer, microphone, and advanced motion algorithms must all work together to accurately detect a crash.
Enabled by default, Crash Detection is supported on all iPhone 14 models, Apple Watch SE (2nd Generation), Apple Watch Series 8, and Apple Watch Ultra.
Following the launch of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max last week, some early adopters of the devices said they have experienced an issue that prevents them from being heard at a suitable volume during phone calls initiated via CarPlay in a vehicle.
Affected users have documented this problem across the MacRumors Forums, Reddit, Twitter, and the Apple Support Community over the past three to four days. Most of the users said that after calling someone via CarPlay with an iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max, their voice sounded quiet or far away on the receiving end of the call.
The majority of complaints are from users with an iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max running iOS 16.0.1, but at least one user said the issue also appears to affect the standard iPhone 14, and there are also comments claiming that downgrading to iOS 16.0 does not help.
MacRumors was able to reproduce the issue by making a phone call via wired CarPlay in a 2022 Honda Civic with an iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 16.0.1. The issue did not occur with a regular hands-free Bluetooth call with the same device in the vehicle.
We reached out to Apple to ask if it is aware of this issue, but the company did not immediately respond to our request for comment. We will share any additional information about this issue, including any response from Apple, as it becomes available.
Apple Fitness+ will be available to iPhone users without an Apple Watch starting with iOS 16.1 and tvOS 16.1, which are currently in beta testing.
In the second beta of iOS 16.1 seeded to developers earlier today, user Jadyn Daniel noticed that it is now possible to subscribe to Apple Fitness+ on the iPhone without having an Apple Watch. And in the second beta of tvOS 16.1 for the Apple TV, Screen Times editor-in-chief Sigmund Judge uncovered a new screen that allows users to connect an iPhone for Apple Fitness+ workouts, with no Apple Watch required.
Apple already announced that Fitness+ would be available to iPhone users who do not own an Apple Watch starting "later this fall" in all 21 countries where the service is currently offered, including the United States, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, the UAE, and the UK.
Launched in December 2020, Apple Fitness+ features a library of over 3,000 workout and meditation videos, with new content added weekly. The subscription-based service is available through the Fitness app on the iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, with U.S. pricing set at $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year. Without an Apple Watch, iPhone users will not see real-time metrics like heart rate and calories burned during a workout.
The first smartphones that support Wi-Fi 7 could start coming out as soon as the second half of 2024, according to a new report from DigiTimes that cites IC backend houses and inspection labs.
Wi-Fi 7 is able to use 320MHz channels and it supports 4K quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) technology, ultimately providing up to 2.4x faster speeds than Wi-Fi 6 with the same number of antennas.
Positioned as the next major generational Wi-Fi technology evolution, Wi-Fi 7 is expected to provide speeds of "at least 30" gigabits per second and could even hit 40Gbps, according to the Wi-Fi Alliance. It will offer speeds fast enough for next-generation AR/VR, 8K video streaming, and gaming devices.
Wi-Fi 6 features speeds of up to 9.6Gb/s, and WiFi 5 maxed out at 3.5Gb/s, so WiFi 7 will be a notable improvement when it launches. There is no word as of yet on when Apple might implement Wi-Fi 7, but it is worth noting that Apple has not even adopted Wi-Fi 6E, which has been available since 2019.
Apple devices are still using Wi-Fi 6, and there is a possibility that Apple will stick with Wi-Fi 6 until the launch of Wi-Fi 7, skipping Wi-Fi 6E entirely. DigiTimes suggests that with the launch of Wi-Fi 7 on the horizon, Wi-Fi 6E is "just a transitional technology."
Wi-Fi 7 will come first to routers and notebooks before making its way to smartphones. In January, MediaTek demoed Wi-Fi 7, and Intel has said that it plans to adopt Wi-Fi 7 in PC laptops by 2024, with the technology appearing in major markets in 2025. Qualcomm is also working on Wi-Fi 7 chip options that are expected to appear in the same time frame.
When the Apple Watch Series 8 and second-generation Apple Watch SE were first announced, the Apple Watch comparison page said both models supported Bluetooth 5.0, but Apple now says they actually support the newer Bluetooth 5.3 standard.
Apple's website still lists the Series 8 and new SE with Bluetooth 5.0 support in some places, but we received confirmation today from Apple that both models do in fact support Bluetooth 5.3 in the United States at a minimum.
All four iPhone 14 models, the second-generation AirPods Pro, and the Apple Watch Ultra also support Bluetooth 5.3, according to Apple.
Bluetooth 5.3 is said to include "several feature enhancements with the potential to improve reliability, energy efficiency, and user experience in many types of Bluetooth enabled products," such as the LE Audio specification. However, there is no evidence to suggest that Apple has implemented LE Audio yet in its latest products.
Apple's Back to School promotion in the United States and Canada ends in just six days. With this year's promotion, Apple is offering a $150 gift card alongside the purchase of an eligible Mac or a $100 gift card with the purchase of an iPad Air or iPad Pro.
As a reminder for those who might still be looking to take advantage of the promotion as it wraps up, we've rounded up a quick summary of the eligible products for the promotion below.
M2 MacBook Air
The new MacBook Air with the M2 Apple silicon chip in a thin and light design starts at $1,099 with Apple's education discount. With the $150 bonus gift card, that means the M2 MacBook Air essentially costs $949, and the M1 version can be had for even less. Additionally, Apple is offering a 20% discount on the three-year AppleCare+ service for Mac at $183.
MacBook Pro and 24-inch iMac
For education customers who need more powerful Macs, Apple is offering its 13-inch, 14-inch, and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. With the $150 gift card after purchase, the 13-inch MacBook Pro will essentially cost customers $1,049, the 14-inch $1,699, and the 16-inch $2,149. The 13-inch comes with the new M2 Apple silicon chip, while the 14-inch and 16-inch models come with M1 Pro and M1 Max chip options. The 24-inch M1 iMac is also available starting at the equivalent of $1,099 once the $150 gift card is accounted for.
iPad Air and iPad Pro
The iPad Air and iPad Pro come with the M1 Apple silicon chip, offering more performance than older models. Both iPads come with a $50 discount for education customers in addition to the $100 promotional gift card. The iPad Pro, offered in 11-inch, and 12.9-inch sizes, comes with more advanced displays and the addition of the LiDAR scanner compared to the 10.9-inch iPad Air. Both iPad lines support the second-generation Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard.
Apple is expected to announce updated 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models with the M2 Apple silicon chip as soon as next month, and there is also a possibility of updated 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. Even with new models on the horizon, the Back to School promotion offers customers a great opportunity to get the current-generation models with the added benefit of gift cards.
The all-new Apple Watch Ultra launches this Friday, but some customers who ordered the watch have seen their estimated delivery date pushed back by Apple. It's unclear how many customers are affected or what the reason for the delays is.
MacRumors has received emails from multiple readers with orders that have been delayed in the United States. In one case, an order estimated for delivery by September 29 is now expected to arrive by October 12, while another order with a September 29 to October 6 estimated delivery range was pushed back to October 4 to October 11.
Priced at $799, the Apple Watch Ultra has been available to pre-order since September 9. While not reflected on Apple's website yet, some orders have been marked as shipped via UPS's tracking tool, with U.S. shipments passing through Anchorage, Alaska and Louisville, Kentucky as usual on their way to their final destinations.
All configurations of the Apple Watch Ultra include a natural-colored titanium case and cellular connectivity. The only customizable aspect is the band, with options including the Alpine Loop, Trail Loop, and Ocean Band in three colors each.
Inspired by the "most extreme activities" like hiking and scuba diving, the Apple Watch Ultra features a rugged design with a 49mm titanium case, a larger display with a flat sapphire crystal cover, new bands designed for the outdoors, water resistance up to a depth of 100 meters, a customizable bright orange "Action" button, up to 60 hours of battery life with an upcoming low power mode, dual-frequency GPS support, and more.
With the launch of new iPhones, YouTubers always delve into a series of unscientific durability tests with the hope of providing us with some insight into the durability of the latest iPhones. We highlighted iPhone 14 Pro drop tests earlier today, and we thought we'd also share a couple of scratch tests for those interested.
YouTuber JerryRigEverything does an annual scratch test on new iPhones using the Mohs mineral hardness scale, and with the iPhone 14, the results were as expected. Apple is still using the same Ceramic Shield used in the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13, and faint scratches were observed at a level 6 hardness.
Much more noticeable scratches appeared with the level 7 tool, which is the exact same result that was observed with the iPhone 13 and the iPhone 12 before that, so there are no quiet improvements to the display durability this year.
The aluminum frame scratched easily, which is no surprise, and the sapphire crystal camera lens scratched at a level 6, which is notable because sapphire typically ranks at level 9 on the Mohs hardness scale.
Other YouTubers subjected the iPhone 14 devices to hammers, knives, screws, and other tools to attempt to demonstrate durability, but it's difficult to glean useful information from tests like these. It can be impressive how much damage the iPhone 14 models can endure before a scratch shows up, but real world conditions vary and the wrong angle or the wrong edge on a tool can cause a scratch in one situation where it might not in another.
Apple did not make notable durability specific claims about the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models, with the new iPhones using the same glass components as the prior-generation iPhone 13 models.
Apple today released the second beta of iOS 16.1, introducing some notable changes to charging indicators on the iPhone and also fixing a few bugs. We've rounded up all of the changes in the second beta below.
Battery Status Bar Visual Charge Indicator
Apple in iOS 16 added battery percentage to the battery icon in the status bar on Face ID iPhones, and in iOS 16.1 beta 2, improved the feature to show a visual indication of the charge level.
The battery icon shifts throughout the day as the battery depletes or is charged, making it easier to see charge level at a glance. Prior to the beta, the battery indicator in the status bar showed percent, but the battery level was static and always full, making it sometimes confusing to determine the iPhone's charge with a quick look.
Battery Font
Apple has updated the font that's used for the battery icon, slightly increasing the size.
Lock Screen Charging Indicator
When charging an iPhone, the battery percentage is now displayed above the time both when the iPhone first starts charging and each time that it is woken from sleep during the charging process.
This allows for a clear indication of the charge level when tapping on the iPhone's display without unlocking the device. The always-on display does not show charge level and waking the screen on an iPhone 14 Pro model is required to get the battery level to show up.
Copy and Paste Fix
The incessant copy and paste prompts that iOS 16 users are seeing have been addressed in iOS 16.1, and you no longer need to explicitly approve each and every copy and paste attempt. While this is fixed in iOS 16.1, we are expecting Apple to address it prior to the iOS 16.1 launch with an iOS 16 bug fix update that is planned for next week.
No Camera Shake Fix
Reports suggest that the bug causing the iPhone 14 Pro rear camera to shake and vibrate has not been addressed in iOS 16.1 beta 2. Apple has said that the issue will be fixed in an iOS 16 update coming next week, and we are expecting an iOS 16.0.2 release.
Other New Features
Know of a new feature in iOS 16.1 that we left out? Let us know in the comments below.
Apple today released the second beta of iOS 16.1, introducing further tweaks to the battery percentage indicator that is located in the status bar.
With today's beta, the battery level of the icon depletes as the battery depletes, providing a better visual indication of what battery level is at alongside the percentage.
If the percentage feature is enabled, you will now see the charge number as well as battery indicator that fills or depletes based on your current charge level. Prior to the latest beta, the battery indicator in the status bar showed percent, but the battery level was static, making it sometimes difficult to determine the iPhone's charge at a glance.
Battery percent was not present on iPhones that have Face ID in iOS 15 because of the lack of space on either side of the notch that houses the TrueDepth camera hardware, but Apple's updated iOS 16 design added the specific battery level to the battery icon, with iOS 16.1 adding further tweaks. The iOS 16.1 beta also brings the battery percentage to the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone XR, and iPhone 11, devices that do not support it in iOS 16.
Apple with the second beta has additionally tweaked the charging indicator on the Lock Screen. When plugging an iPhone into a Lightning cable or Qi-based wireless charger, it will now show the battery percent briefly above the time. iPhone 14 Pro models have a battery status indicator in the Dynamic Island as well.
New in iOS 16.1 Beta 2: The Lock Screen can show the battery percentage again while charging. It works much the same as on iOS 15, where the date disappears and shows the battery percentage for a few seconds. pic.twitter.com/VPs1HoqIBs
— iSpeedtestOS (@iSpeedtestOS) September 20, 2022
There will be several more rounds of beta testing before iOS 16.1 sees a public release, but there is a public beta available for non-developers to test. The next public beta should be coming soon with the updated battery status bar icon.
Apple today seeded the second beta of iOS 16.1 to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming one week after the release of the first iOS 16.1 beta. The iOS 16.1 beta is also joined by the third beta of iPadOS 16.1, which is on a slightly different schedule as Apple started testing it prior to the launch of iOS 16.
Registered developers can download the iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 profiles from the Apple Developer Center, and once installed, the betas will be available over the air.
Live Activities cannot be used at the current time as developers still need to update their apps to add support, but it will be available when iOS 16.1 launches. Developers have access to an ActivityKit API to begin getting their apps ready.
The update also introduces a new Clean Energy Charging feature in the United States that is designed to selectively charge when lower carbon emission electricity is available, plus it lays the groundwork for Matter, a new smart home standard that Apple plans to begin supporting this fall.
Matter will allow for interoperability between smart devices from different companies, and Apple, Google, Samsung, Amazon, and others are working on support.
Other new features include a deletable Wallet app, changes to the Lock Screen customizing interface, and more, with details available in our iOS 16.1 feature guide.
Apple today seeded the eighth beta of macOS 13 Ventura, the next-generation version of the Mac operating system that's set to launch this fall. The eighth beta comes two weeks after Apple provided the seventh beta to developers.
Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and once the appropriate profile is installed, betas will be available through the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences.
macOS Ventura introduces Stage Manager, a new feature that lets Mac users focus on a task while keeping other apps at the ready for easy swapping between tasks. The update adds Continuity Camera, which is designed to let you use the iPhone as a webcam for your Mac. It supports Center Stage, Desk View (for showing off your desk), and Studio Light.
Handoff is now available for FaceTime so you can transfer calls between iPhone, iPad, and Mac at will, and Messages supports features for marking an iMessage as unread, unsending an iMessage, and marking as unread. SharePlay also now works in the Messages app.
The Mail app supports scheduling and undoing emails for up to 10 seconds after they're sent, and there are now Weather and Clock apps that are available on the Mac. System Preferences has been renamed System Settings, and it features an iOS-like design.
Safari supports Shared Tab Groups and Apple is working on Passkeys, a next-generation credential that replaces the password. There are updates to Spotlight, Photo Library has new features, and Metal 3 is included in macOS Ventura for better graphics in games.
For everything new in macOS Ventura, we have a dedicated roundup that goes through all of the features. macOS Ventura is set to see a public release this fall.
Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming watchOS 9.1 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new beta coming one week after Apple released the first watchOS 9.1 beta.
To install watchOS 9.1, developers will need to download the configuration profile from the Apple Developer Center. Once installed, watchOS 9.1 can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software update. To update to new software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life, it must be placed on the charger, and it needs to be in range of the iPhone.
We don't yet know what's included in the watchOS 9.1 update as no new features were found in the first beta, but watchOS 9 brought a number of changes including a redesigned Compass app, a new medication tracking feature, updated watch faces, improvements to Workouts, new features for the ECG app, and more.
Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming tvOS 16.1 update to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming one week after the launch of the first beta.
tvOS updates are typically minor, focusing on under-the-hood bug fixes and improvements rather than outward-facing changes. No new features were found in the first beta of tvOS 16.1.
Apple shares some information on tvOS releases in its tvOS support document, which is updated after each tvOS launch. tvOS 16 brought enhanced multiuser support, Personalized Spatial Audio when using AirPods, and Accessibility improvements.
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.
iOS 16 introduced a new haptic feedback option for the default keyboard. When enabled, the iPhone makes a slight vibration after each key tapped while typing, providing physical confirmation that the key was pressed. The feature is a useful addition to the iPhone, but keep in mind that Apple says it can potentially impact battery life.
"Turning on keyboard haptics might affect the battery life of your iPhone," says Apple, in a support document published last week. Apple does not provide any additional details, so it's not clear exactly how much battery life the feature uses. Note that Low Power Mode does not disable haptic feedback, so the only option for users who are concerned about potential battery life impact is to keep the feature turned off.
Any software feature on an iPhone obviously consumes battery life, but that Apple felt it was worth explicitly mentioning for haptic feedback is notable.
To enable haptic feedback for the keyboard, open the Settings app, tap Sounds & Haptics → Keyboard Feedback, and turn on Haptic. The same toggle switch can be used to turn off the feature at any point. The feature is available on the iPhone 8 and newer running iOS 16 or later and utilizes the Taptic Engine inside iPhones.
Astropad, known for Astropad Studio software and the Luna Display dongle, today announced the launch of its latest project, called Darkboard. The Darkboard is a lightweight drawing surface designed to be used with the iPad, providing a more ergonomic way to sketch and draw wherever you are.
Weighing in at 1.4 pounds, the Darkboard is made from a rigid foam material that cushions the arm and wrist while still providing comfort and support. Astropad says that the Darkboard is ideal for using on the couch, in bed, and in other situations where you don't have the best ergonomic setup.
There is a polycarbonate frame to hold the iPad in place at any angle, so it can be propped up in a way that's most comfortable to each user. Astropad also added 1mm of space between the iPad's screen and the edge of the foam body to ensure the iPad stays safe should the Darkboard be dropped.
There's a cutout for the camera, charging port access, and a pocket for the Apple Pencil. The Darkboard measures in at 18 inches long, 14 inches wide, and an inch thick, and it is designed to have a textured surface that improves grip, plus there are grooved handles.
Darkboard comes in two sizes, one that fits the third-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro or newer and one that fits the 11-inch iPad Pro and iPad Air models. It will also support future iPads released between now and when it ships out.
Astropad is launching Darkboard on Kickstarter, and early bird backers can pick it up for $79, which is 20 percent off of the retail price. Orders will be delivered in March 2023.
