Apple has frozen plans to use chips from one of China's top memory chipmakers after tighter U.S. export controls were imposed on the Chinese tech sector, reports Nikkei Asia.
According to the report, Apple intended to buy 128-layer 3D NAND flash memory chips from Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC) for use in iPhones sold in the Chinese market as early as this year, with the possibility of eventually purchasing up to 40% of the chips needed for all iPhones.
Apple had already completed the months-long process to certify the memory before Washington earlier this month added YMTC and 30 other Chinese entities to an "Unverified" list of companies that U.S. officials have been unable to inspect. U.S. companies are prohibited from sharing any design, technologies, documents or specifications to companies on the Unverified List without a license.
The tighter controls have increased tensions with Beijing, since companies who cannot provide the necessary information within 60 days could be added to the official U.S. export control blacklist. YMTC is also being investigated by the U.S. Commerce Department over whether it violated Washington's export controls by selling chips to Huawei, which is already blacklisted.
The export controls on China imposed by the Biden administration are an effort to slow the country's technological and military advances by cutting off Beijing's supplies off from certain semiconductor chips made anywhere in the world with U.S. equipment. Apple and YMTC did not respond to Nikkei's requests for comment.
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Apple has acknowledged yet another iOS 16 bug impacting customers of the iPhone 14, this time related to cellular data and SIM card support.
In a memo seen by MacRumors, Apple acknowledges that some users of the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max may see a message that reads "SIM Not Supported" appear on their device. After displaying the pop-up message, the iPhone may entirely freeze, according to the memo. Apple says it's "investigating" the issue and notes it's not a hardware problem, adding that customers should keep their software up to date.
In the meantime, as the investigation is ongoing, Apple advises customers to wait a few minutes to see if the message disappears. If it doesn't, customers should not attempt to restore the device, Apple emphasizes in the memo. Instead, customers should head to an Apple Store or authorized service provider where a request for technical assistance can be submitted, and the issue resolved.
This is not the first time Apple has acknowledged a bug for its latest iPhones. In the days and weeks following its launch, the iPhone 14 has had several issues, including issues with device activations and camera vibrations. Both issues have been addressed in subsequent iOS 16 updates. Apple is currently testing iOS 16.1 with developers and public beta testers, with a launch expected at the end of this month.
Apple and Mercedes-Benz today announced that native support for Apple Music's spatial audio feature with Dolby Atmos is rolling out to select Mercedes-Benz vehicles worldwide, including the latest Mercedes-Maybach, EQS, EQS SUV, EQE, and S-Class models.
As noted by The Verge, spatial audio requires a Mercedes-Benz vehicle with a Burmester 3D or 4D sound system, which can cost thousands of dollars extra.
Apple Music has been available directly through the MBUX infotainment system in newer Mercedes-Benz vehicles since last year. Spatial audio provides an immersive surround-sound listening experience that makes it sound like the music is all around you. Spatial audio launched last year on Apple devices like the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, and now the feature is available natively in a car for the first time.
"Spatial Audio is revolutionizing the way artists create and fans listen to music, and it's an experience that is impossible to explain in words; you have to hear it for yourself to appreciate it," said Oliver Schusser, Apple's vice president of Apple Music and Beats, in a press release. "Together with Mercedes-Benz, we now have even more opportunities to bring wholly immersive music to our subscribers all over the world."
The upcoming 11-inch iPad Pro will feature the same LED Liquid Retina Display found in the current generation model and not the newer mini-LED display technology found in the larger 12.9-inch size, reliable display analyst Ross Young said today.
Replying in a tweet, Young reaffirmed previous rumors that the upcoming 11-inch iPad Pro will not gain the newer mini-LED display technology, meaning customers who want the more advanced display will need to revert to the larger 12.9-inch size.
Early rumors suggested that for the next iPad Pro update, Apple would expand the mini-LED display it introduced in the 12.9-inch iPad Pro in April 2021 to also the smaller 11-inch size. The Liquid Retina XDR display in the 12.9-inch iPad Pro brings extreme dynamic range to the iPad Pro, offering a "stunning visual experience" with more true-to-life details and HDR.
The 11-inch iPad Pro display is an LED Liquid Retina Display that still has many of the same features as the 12.9-inch size but misses out on the extreme dynamic range, higher brightness, and darker blacks. Young said today he expects the upcoming 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pros to feature the same displays as their respective current generation models.
The new iPad Pros are expected to be incremental updates, featuring a new chip and potentially new charging capabilities. The new models will be powered by the M2 Apple silicon chip, offering performance improvements compared to the M1 chip in the current models.
Apple plans to release macOS Ventura alongside iPadOS 16 during the week of October 24, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his latest newsletter, Gurman said the first version of macOS Ventura adds support for new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, which are expected to be released in the "near future."
The new MacBook Pro models will be available with M2 Pro and M2 Max chip options, but other changes will be minimal, according to Gurman.
While he expects new iPad Pro models with the M2 chip to be announced in "a matter of days," Gurman said the new MacBook Pros are unlikely to be released alongside the next iPad Pro. Instead, he said the new MacBook Pros are "on track to launch in the near future" and noted that Apple has often launched new Macs in November, such as the original 16-inch MacBook Pro in 2019 and the first Macs with the M1 chip in 2020.
Gurman reiterated that Apple is working on an updated Mac mini with an M2 chip. Apple last updated the Mac mini with the M1 chip in 2020, and it continues to sell higher-priced Intel configurations with Core i5 and Core i7 processor options.
Apple still has no plans to hold an October event this year, according to Gurman:
Apple has traditionally ushered in its late fall iPad and Mac updates with splashy events, but this year's rollout will be more subdued. Apple will launch the products on its website without the kind of gathering we saw in September with the iPhone 14's debut.
My belief is that Apple has eschewed another event because of the fairly ordinary nature of the announcements. It's a slew of updates that amount to spec bumps or seen-before designs. Another factor: Apple is probably saving its marketing energy for the Reality Pro headset debut next year.
iOS 16.1 will likely launch alongside iPadOS 16.1 and macOS Ventura with many new features for the iPhone, including Live Activities in third-party apps.
With watchOS 9, Apple introduced a number of headline new features like new workout metrics, sleep stage tracking, low power mode, and more. But it also made a number of smaller yet notable changes and additions that make your Apple Watch more functional and convenient to use.
In this article, we've listed 20 other features and enhancements, some of which may have gone under your radar. Bear in mind that watchOS 9 requires Apple Watch Series 4 or later and an iPhone 8 or later running iOS 16.
1. Get Email Notifications When Not Connected to iPhone
Apple Watch users have long been able to receive email notifications from third-party email accounts pushed from their paired iPhone. But in watchOS 9, you can also be alerted when an important message arrives when you're wearing your Apple Watch, but away from your iPhone.
The option uses iCloud servers to securely access the third-party account, and needs to be manually enabled. To set it up, launch the Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch, tap Mail, then turn on Email Notifications under "When Not Connected to iPhone."
2. View Activity Rings During Workout
Previously if you were doing an Apple Watch workout and you wanted to see how it was impacting your activity rings, you had to exit out of the Workout app and switch to the Activity app.
Now you don't have to, because you can get a glance of your activity rings right in the workout display simply by scrolling up with the Digital Crown.
3. Follow Podcasts
In watchOS 9, Apple finally fixed its hobbled Podcasts app, and for the first time you can now follow and unfollow podcasts directly from your Apple Watch.
Tap Listen Now -> You Might Like, then tap a show and select Follow. You can also find the same options by searching for a show and tapping on it.
4. Add Calendar Events on Your Wrist
Finally, you aren't just limited to viewing calendar events synced from your iPhone on your wrist – you can now add them too. Simply tap the ellipsis (three dots) button that appears in the corner of the screen when you stop scrolling, then tap + New Event.
On the next screen you can add all the usual details including event title, location, start date and time, end date and time, and whether to make it a repeat event. Before you Add the event, you can also choose which calendar to add it to, add invitees, opt to receive alerts, and include any notes.
5. Astronomy Watch Face
Apple in iOS 16 added new dynamic wallpaper options to its revamped iPhone Lock Screen settings, and the watch face that arguably mirrors these enhancements in watchOS 9 is Astronomy.
Astronomy is actually a revamped version of the original Astronomy watch face, but it has been remastered and includes a new star map and current cloud data based on your location. You can set the Earth, Moon, or Solar System as the main view, and customize the font. It supports two complications, and turning the Digital Crown lets you fast forward or rewind to see the moon phase/planet location on another day.
6. Retrace Your Steps With Backtrack
You don't need an Apple Watch Ultra to use the redesigned Compass app's Backtrack feature. If your Apple Watch Series 6 or later is running watchOS 9, you can use it to track your route and then help you retrace your steps in case you get lost.
Tap the footprints icon in the bottom-right of the screen, then tap Start to begin recording your route. When you're ready to retrace your steps, tap the pause icon in the bottom-right of the screen, then tap Retrace Steps.
Your starting location will appear on the compass, and a bouncing white arrow will point you in the right direction. Follow the path back to return to where you first turned on Backtrack, then when you've arrived at your starting location, tap the footsteps icon and you'll be able to delete your steps.
7. Change Watch Face Based on Focus
In iOS 16, you can customize pretty much everything about your Focus. It's not just the Home Screen and Lock Screen that you can set – if your Apple Watch is running watchOS 9, you can select one of your Apple Watch faces to activate on your wrist for a specific Focus mode.
On your iPhone, go to Settings -> Focus, select an existing Focus or create a new one. Set any notification silence options for people and apps when your Focus is active, then under "Customize Screens," tap Edit under the watch face option. Choose a watch face from your Apple Watch face gallery, then tap Done.
That's all there is to it. With your chosen Apple Watch face now linked to your Focus Mode, it will be activated automatically on your wrist the next time you enable the Focus on your iPhone.
8. View Edited Messages
In iOS 16, Apple added the ability to edit texts sent over iMessage, and in watchOS 9, you can view any edits to a received message that have been made.
Simply tap and hold the word Edited in blue below the message to reveal the edits. Tap Hide Edits to make them disappear again.
9. Edit Reminders
Previously, the Reminders app only let you view or add reminders. Now it lets you Edit existing reminders and add key details, including date and time, location, tags, and notes. You can also move reminders between lists right on your wrist.
10. Change Calendar View
Not only can you now add calendar events in the Calendar app on Apple Watch, you can also switch to day, list, and week views.
Simply tap the ellipsis (three dots) button that appears in the corner of the screen when you stop scrolling, then under "View Options," choose from Up Next, Day, and List. When you've made your choice, tap Done.
11. Prioritize Background Running Apps in the Dock
Accessed with a press of the Side button, the Dock has been the place you went for quick access to your most recently used apps or favorite app. With watchOS 9, however, apps running in the background are prioritized over the rest of the apps in the Dock, making it easier to return to them.
You don't have to do anything to activate this feature - it's functional by default.
12. Turn Off Cellular Data
For years now on iPhone you've been able to turn off cellular data without losing the ability to make and receive calls. Previously, the same option wasn't offered on cellular Apple Watch models – whenever your cellular service was enabled, so was cellular data, eating your battery right up.
In watchOS 9, Apple has helpfully added separate switches for your watch's basic cellular/mobile service and mobile data, so now you can control them independently. You can find the settings in your watch's Settings app, under Cellular/Mobile Data.
13. Kickboard Swim Detection and SWOLF Score
In good news for swimmers, Apple Watches running watchOS 9 can now automatically detect when you're using a kickboard during a pool swim workout.
The Workout app can even give you your SWOLF score, one of the key swim-specific metrics. SWOLF is calculated using a combination of your stroke count and your time spent in the water. The fewer strokes and the less time you take, the lower your SWOLF score, as a measure of your swimming efficiency.
14. Text Size Control
In another boon for accessibility, Apple has added a Text Size control to the Control Center in watchOS 9, so now it's even easier to ensure Apple Watch apps that support Dynamic Type adjust to your preferred reading size.
15. Dictation Auto-Punctuation
Dictation is a popular feature on Apple Watch for sending messages, since it converts your speech to text, which is so much quicker than typing on a tiny keyboard. WatchOS 9 improves the feature greatly by automatically inserting punctuation into your sentences in real time, so you no longer have to say "comma" or "question mark" out loud.
The feature should be turned on by default, but if it isn't, you can go to Settings -> General -> Dictation and turn on Auto Punctuation.
16. Apple Watch Mirroring
With iOS 16 and watchOS 9, Apple introduced a new Apple Watch Mirroring feature that lets you see and control your Apple Watch screen from your paired iPhone. It's designed to make the watch experience more accessible for people with physical and motor disabilities, but it can also be useful if, say, your Apple Watch screen is cracked or unresponsive.
To enable it, launch the Settings app on your iPhone, tap Accessibility, then under "Physical and Motor," tap Apple Watch Mirroring, before toggling on the feature in the next screen.
A graphical representation of your Apple Watch will appear on your iPhone's screen, while a blue outline will appear around the face of your Apple Watch to indicate that mirroring is enabled. You'll now be able to control your Apple Watch by tapping and swiping on the watch image that appears on your iPhone. You can even tap the Side button and swipe the Digital Crown to mimic the same physical actions that you would perform on your watch.
17. Quick Actions
With new Quick Actions, users with upper body limb differences can now do even more with a double-pinch gesture to respond to alerts on their Apple Watch, including answer or end a phone call, take a photo when the viewfinder and shutter button are showing in the Camera app, play or pause media in the Now Playing app, and start, pause, or resume a workout. You can also use quick actions to snooze an alarm or stop a timer.
To enable Quick Actions, Open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap Accessibility, then under "Motor," tap Quick Actions. Choose from one of the following options: On, When AssistiveTouch is Enabled, and Off. You can also choose their appearance to be Full or Minimal.
With Quick Actions on, when you see an alert on your Apple Watch, you'll be prompted to perform a Quick Action. For example, when you've paused a workout, a prompt lets you know that you can double-pinch to resume it (tap index finger to thumb twice quickly).
18. Control Your iPhone With Apple Watch
In a sort of reverse take of Apple Watch Mirroring, you can also control your iPhone with your Apple Watch. On your watch, go to Settings -> Accessibility, then select Control Nearby Devices. Select your iPhone (or iPad) from the list.
Once connected, you'll see a series of control buttons enabling you to perform a variety of actions on your iPhone, including Go to Home Screen, Open App Switcher, Open Notification Center, Open Control Center, and Activate Siri. Tapping the More button will also give you media playback controls.
19. Find Your Car
The redesigned Compass app includes the ability to create Compass Waypoints and then find the distance and direction between them. The feature can also be used to find your parked car.
If your car has CarPlay or Bluetooth connectivity, you don't actually have to do anything to set it up. Provided your iPhone is paired with your car in some capacity, your Apple Watch can recognize when you've parked and disconnected, and it will drop a waypoint where your car is located.
Launch the Compass app, then look for a blue waypoint on your compass dial. If you turn the Digital Crown, the dial will zoom in and out, giving you a better idea of how far away your car is. Tap the waypoint to get more information about it, then tap Select to see a pointer that will guide you to your car.
If you find yourself relying on this feature frequently, you can even add a Parked Car Waypoint complication to your Watch face that will lead you to your vehicle.
20. Add Favorite Timers
If you use certain timer durations frequently, why not favorite them? In watchOS 9, you can.
Simply open up the Timer app, swipe left on a recently used timer, then tap the star icon that appears. The favorited timer will now live at the top of your timer list, until such a time when you swipe left on it and tap the red X to remove it.
Article updated to clarify dock changes and Compass feature support on earlier watch models.
Apple has worked on a docking accessory for the iPad that would allow users to transform the device into a smart home display, similar to Google's approach with the Pixel Tablet, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Earlier this year, Google announced that it will offer a charging dock with a speaker that magnetically attaches to the back of the upcoming Pixel Tablet, essentially turning it into a smart home display like the Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max.
Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said that he expects Apple to bring similar functionality to the iPad next year with a docking accessory that will be sold separately, while the company works on a standalone product for the home that combines a display and a smart speaker:
I'm told Apple is working to bring similar functionality to the iPad as soon as 2023. I reported last year that Apple is exploring a stand-alone device that combines an iPad with a speaker hub. The idea is to offer something that users can place on a kitchen counter, in the living room or on their nightstand. But Apple also has worked on an iPad docking accessory that it could sell separately and would accomplish much of the same thing.
A docking accessory could allow the iPad to be used to control their smart home accessories more easily, make FaceTime calls using the iPad's front-facing camera with Center Stage, and more.
Compared to Google and Amazon, Apple has largely stayed out of the smart home market, releasing the HomePod mini in October 2020 before discontinuing the original HomePod in March 2021. A new, full-sized HomePod is one of several products Apple is expected to release in 2023. According to rumors, the new full-sized HomePod will keep the same design as the original smart speaker but feature faster performance and potentially a new display.
Apple will announce new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models in "a matter of days," respected Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman said today in his latest Power On newsletter.
The new 11-inch and 12.9-inch models, codenamed J617 and J620, will be the first update to the higher-end iPad since April 2021, where both models gained the M1 chip and a new 12.-9-inch mini-LED display. For their first update in a year and a half, the upcoming iPad Pro models are expected to gain the M2 Apple silicon chip, offering faster performance and possibly new charging capabilities.
For design, the new iPads will look like the current models, with no significant changes expected. Early rumors said that the smaller 11-inch model would gain a mini-LED display, currently only available on the larger 12.9-inch model, but that is no longer expected to happen.
The new iPad Pro models could also feature some form of MagSafe charging capabilities, as per previous reports. There is also the possibility the new iPad Pro models could feature reverse-wireless charging capabilities, allowing users to charge their iPhone or AirPods on the back of the iPad.
Given the incremental update expected for the upcoming iPads, Apple is no longer planning an event for October. Apple is expected to launch the new iPads and updates to the Mac lineup through press releases and updates on its website.
Alongside the new iPad Pro models, Apple is also expected to release iPadOS 16 later this month. Unlike in past years, this year's iPadOS and iOS updates were not released simultaneously. Instead, Apple delayed iPadOS 16 until later in the fall to allow it more time to refine the update and work on Stage Manager. Stage Manager is a new multi-tasking and windowing system for specific iPad models that continues to face bugs, despite iPadOS 16's release in just a few weeks.
We're right around the midpoint of October now and we've yet to see any signs of an Apple media event to introduce new iPad and Mac hardware, so it's looking increasingly likely that rumors of the announcements coming via press release rather than an event are correct. The last week of the month may end up being fairly busy with iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura releases and potentially some of that rumored new hardware.
Other news this week included the release of iOS 16.0.3, delivering a number of important bug fixes while we await the larger iOS 16.1 release before the end of the month. We also shared some rumors about the next-generation iPhone SE and Apple TV, while we took a look at Google's new Apple Watch competitor, the Pixel Watch, so read on for all the details on these stories and more!
Apple Releases iOS 16.0.3 With iPhone 14 Bug Fixes and More
While the new iPhone SE is expected to be similar to the iPhone XR from 2018, it is unclear if the budget device would be equipped with Face ID or have a Touch ID power button like the latest iPad Air and iPad mini models. The device is currently rumored to launch in 2024.
Five New Features Coming to Your iPhone With iOS 16.1
iOS 16.1 is expected to be released later this month with several new features for the iPhone.
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.
Apple Penn Square employees have voted to unionize, according to Bloomberg's Josh Eidelson. The store, located in Oklahoma City, is the second Apple retail location to form a union in the U.S. following a store in Towson, Maryland earlier this year.
The employees reportedly voted 56 to 32 in favor of joining the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union following an election open to all staff at the store this week. The union now needs to be certified by the U.S. National Labor Relations Board.
In response to Apple Penn Square employees unionizing, an Apple spokesperson shared the following statement with Bloomberg's Mark Gurman:
We believe the open, direct and collaborative relationship we have with our valued team members is the best way to provide an excellent experience for our customers, and for our teams. We're proud to provide our team members with strong compensation and exceptional benefits. Since 2018, we've increased our starting rates in the US by 45% and we've made many significant enhancements to our industry-leading benefits, including new educational and family support programs.
Unionizing gives employees at the store the ability to negotiate for more favorable working conditions and other benefits through collective bargaining.
"Apple workers are determined to organize for better wages and dignity on the job," said CWA Secretary-Treasurer Sara Steffens. "Despite Apple's illegal and aggressive anti-union campaign, Apple retail workers across the country will continue to organize, especially after this momentous victory. The Penn Square Apple retail workers are an amazing addition to our growing labor movement, and we are thrilled to welcome them as CWA members."
Earlier this week, Apple announced plans to offer retail employees additional education benefits and improved healthcare coverage in some states, but it was reported that unionized employees at the Towson store will not receive these benefits automatically and must negotiate through their union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), as part of their collective bargaining agreement with Apple.
Apple's retail chief Deirdre O'Brien has attempted to dissuade store employees from unionizing in videos played during company meetings, and Apple has been accused of anti-union tactics over the last several months. A vote to unionize at an Apple store in Atlanta was withdrawn earlier this year after Apple reportedly intimidated staff there.
"We have a relationship that is based on an open and collaborative and direct engagement, which I feel could fundamentally change if a store is represented by a union under a collective bargaining agreement," said O'Brien, in one of the videos. "And I worry about what it would mean to put another organization in the middle of our relationship."
Apple has over 270 retail stores in the U.S. and over 520 worldwide.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Apple next year is planning to enter a new product category, launching its first mixed reality headset. Rumors indicate that the upcoming headset will support both AR and VR technology, and that it will have features that will outshine competing products.
Render created by Ian Zelbo based on rumored information
With the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, Apple's hardware and software led it to dominate those categories within a few short years after entering a new market, and it's likely the same thing will happen with augmented and virtual reality. We've rounded up 10 features rumored for the AR/VR headset that will set it apart from competitors.
4K Micro-OLED Displays
Apple is using two high-resolution 4K micro-OLED displays from Sony that are said to have up to 3,000 pixels per inch. Comparatively, Meta's new top of the line Quest Pro has LCD displays, so Apple is going to be offering much more advanced display technology.
Micro-OLED displays are built directly onto chip wafers rather than a glass substrate, allowing for a thinner, smaller, and lighter display that's also more power efficient compared to LCDs and other alternatives.
Apple's design will block out peripheral light, and display quality will be adjusted for peripheral vision to cut down on the processing power necessary to run the device. Apple will be able to reduce graphical fidelity at the peripherals of the headset through the eye tracking functionality being implemented.
More Than a Dozen Cameras
Apple is outfitting its AR/VR headset with more than a dozen cameras, which will capture motion to translate real world movement to virtual movement. It is said to have two downward-facing cameras to capture leg movement specifically, which will be a unique feature that will allow for more accurate motion tracking.
The cameras will be able to map the environment, detecting surfaces, edges, and dimensions in rooms with accuracy, as well as people and other objects. The cameras may also be able to do things like enhance small type, and they'll be able to track body movements.
Iris Scanning
For privacy and security, the AR/VR headset will integrate an iris scanner that can read the pattern of the user's eye, allowing for an iris scan to be used in lieu of a password and for payment authentication.
Iris scanning on the AR/VR headset will be akin to Face ID and Touch ID on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It could allow two people to use the same headset, and it is a feature that is not available on competing headsets like Meta's new Quest Pro.
Facial Expression Tracking
The cameras in the AR/VR headset will be able to interpret facial expressions, translating them to virtual avatars. So if you smile or scowl in real life, your virtual avatar will make the same expression in various apps, similar to how the TrueDepth camera system works with Memoji and Animoji on the iPhone and iPad.
Thin and Light Design
Apple is aiming for comfort, and the AR/VR headset is rumored to be made from mesh fabric and aluminum, making it much lighter and thinner than other mixed reality headsets that are available on the market. Apple wants the weight to be around 200 grams, which is much lighter than the 722 gram Quest Pro from Meta.
3D sensing modules will detect hand gestures for control purposes, and there will be skin detection. Apple will allow for voice control and the AR/VR headset will support Siri like other Apple devices. Apple has tested a thimble-like device worn on the finger, but it is not yet clear what kind of input methods we'll get with the new device.
Interchangeable Headbands
The mesh fabric behind the eyepieces will make the headset comfortable to wear, and it will have swappable Apple Watch-like headbands to choose from.
One headband is rumored to provide spatial audio like technology for a surround sound-like experience, while another provides extra battery life. It's not clear if these will make it to launch, but headbands with different capabilities are definitely a possibility.
Unique App Experiences
The headset is going to run a new operating system called rOS, aka "Reality OS." Apple is designing unique apps made specifically for a virtual reality experience. Apple is said to be planning for a VR FaceTime-like experience with Animoji, where you might see a 3D Animoji or Memoji character version of a person instead of the person itself.
The aforementioned facial expression detection would allow the headset to read facial expressions and features, matching that in real time for a lifelike chatting experience. Apple is working with media partners for content that can be watched in VR, and existing services like Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade are expected to integrate with the headset.
A recent rumor of unknown reliability has indicated that Apple is working on a new version of the Messages app that could feature a new home view and chat rooms specifically for virtual and augmented reality chat features.
Apple Silicon Chip
Rumors suggest that Apple is going to use two Mac-level M2 processors for the AR/VR headset, which will give it more built-in compute power than competing products. Apple will use a high-end main processor and a lower-end processor that will manage the various sensors in the device.
Independent Operation
With two Apple silicon chips inside, the headset will not need to rely on a connection to an iPhone or a Mac for power, and it will be able to function on its own.
Apple last Friday introduced the iPhone 14 Plus, a new 6.7-inch device that replaces the prior-generation iPhone 13 mini. The iPhone 14 Plus marks the first time that Apple has sold a more affordable larger-screened iPhone that is not classified as a "Pro" model since the company started debuting four smartphones at a time.
MacRumors editor Dan Barbera spent a full week using the iPhone 14 Plus to see how it fits in Apple's iPhone 14 lineup and whether it's worth considering over other iPhone 14 options.
The iPhone 14 Plus is an iPhone 14 but with a bigger battery and a bigger screen. It has no features that are not available in the iPhone 14, so it's worth picking up only if you want that larger screen.
At $899, it's $200 cheaper than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, but it lacks ProMotion display technology, an always-on display, a faster processor, and more advanced camera technology including a 48-megapixel Main lens and a Telephoto lens. If you don't care about these features, you can save $200 by picking the Plus over the Pro Max, but if you want all the bells and whistles, it's not worth the savings.
Make sure to watch the full video to see Dan's thoughts, and let us know what you think of the iPhone 14 Plus in the comments below.
Apple is rumored to be a frontrunner for streaming rights to the NFL Sunday Ticket package, but CNBC today reported that "existing restrictions around Sunday Ticket have slowed negotiations between Apple and the NFL in recent months."
The report claims that Apple is not interested in "simply acting as a conduit for broadcasting games" and instead is seeking more comprehensive partnerships with sports leagues. In June, for example, Apple announced that its TV app will exclusively stream every live MLS match beginning in 2023, without any local blackouts or restrictions. MLS highlights, analysis, and other content will also be available across the TV app and Apple News.
"For the first time in the history of sports, fans will be able to access everything from a major professional sports league in one place," said Apple's services chief Eddy Cue. "It's a dream come true for MLS fans, soccer fans, and anyone who loves sports. No fragmentation, no frustration — just the flexibility to sign up for one convenient service that gives you everything MLS, anywhere and anytime you want to watch."
At a media conference in New York this week, Cue said the lack of contractual restrictions will allow its partnership with the MLS to thrive. CNBC claims that Apple wants this sort of flexibility with the NFL too, such as the freedom to offer games globally.
Sunday Ticket currently offers all regional NFL games on Sunday afternoons to out-of-market viewers. The U.S.-only package has been exclusively distributed by DirecTV since 1994, but the deal is set to expire ahead of the 2023 NFL season and DirecTV is reportedly not interested in renewing its rights to the package.
Previous reports said the NFL was looking for more than $2 billion annually for Sunday Ticket streaming rights, along with a minority stake in NFL Media, which oversees the NFL Network channel, NFL.com, and more. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said a new Sunday Ticket partner would be announced before the end of this year.
Sunday Ticket would add to Apple's growing portfolio of live sports content available through the TV app. Apple already partnered with the MLB to air a weekly "Friday Night Baseball" doubleheader on Apple TV+ during the 2022 regular season, while its 10-year partnership with the MLS begins next year. It was also reported that Apple considered bidding on a package of UEFA Champions League games that ultimately went to CBS.
One of the Wallet features introduced in iOS 15 last year was support for home keys, which lets users add digital keys for compatible HomeKit door locks to the Wallet app on their iPhone and Apple Watch.
Few third-party smart home locks support home key yet, but today, Apple retail stores are stocking popular smart home accessory maker Level's first home key compatible smart lock, the Level Lock+.
Available to begin with in a satin nickel color, with a matte black model arriving soon, the Lock+ system is an updated version of its existing HomeKit-compatible Level Lock - Touch Edition which includes support for key cards.
With the addition of home key support, Lock+ users can take advantage of their Apple device's NFC connectivity to quickly unlock their home by simply bringing their device close to the lock.
After being added as an accessory in the Home app, the Lock+ can function in Express Mode, which allows you to unlock the door just by holding your iPhone or Apple Watch near the lock, or alternatively it can be set up to require Face ID or your passcode after holding your device near the lock.
The new Lock+ with home key support comes with a strike plate, CR2 battery, six screws, two keys, two key cards, and a long bolt cap. Priced at $329.95, Level Lock+ is only available in Apple retail stores for now, but a listing on Apple's online store is expected to arrive on October 21, when the matte black edition will also be available to order.
This week saw the first big shopping event of the fall, thanks to Amazon's Prime Early Access Sale. The best Apple deals of the week were all found within this sale, and some can still be purchased today.
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.
The highlight of Prime Early Access was the 32GB Apple TV 4K down to $109.99, from $179.00. You can still get this model and the 64GB model for $69 off on Amazon. We did see a slightly lower price at the height of the event, but these prices are still solid deals and very steep discounts on the streaming device.
Amazon introduced a solid price on the AirPods 2, available for $89.99 ($39 off), during its Prime Early Access Sale, and you can still get this deal right now. Compared to past sales, this is a second-best price.
Apple Watch Series 8
What's the deal? Take $50 off Apple Watch Series 8
New $50 discounts on the Apple Watch Series 8 also emerged this week, and they're still available to purchase. The 41mm GPS Apple Watch Series 8 is on sale for for $349.00, down from $399.00, and the 45mm GPS Apple Watch Series 8 is discounted to $379.00, down from $429.00. Both prices are record low discounts.
The iPad mini 6 has one of the biggest sales still available on Amazon, with nearly every model getting discounted. You can get $99 off every version of the iPad mini 6, although some don't have every color on sale. Prices start at $399.99 for 64GB Wi-Fi, an all-time low price.
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
Apple is reportedly working on a new version of the Messages app that could be released alongside its mixed-reality headset next year.
Twitter leaker known as "Majin Bu" today claimed that Apple is working on a completely new version of iMessage, featuring a new home view, chat rooms, video clips, and more. The app purportedly offers "new chat features in AR" and, as such, it "should" be released next year alongside Apple's headset.
iOS 16 introduced a range of new features for the Messages app, including the ability to edit or delete a recently sent message, mark conversations as unread, and collaboration invitations and activity updates, so further iteration next year seems believable – especially if it is linked to the launch of Apple's headset.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who often reveals accurate insights into Apple's plans, has said that Apple's mixed-reality headset will focus on gaming, media consumption, and communication. He believes that Memojis and SharePlay could be central to the experience. iOS 16 brought SharePlay to Messages, making it possible for multiple users to enjoy synced content like movies or songs with shared playback controls while chatting. This would necessitate a convenient experience for initiating SharePlay sessions in the Messages app on Apple's headset.
The headset itself is rumored to run an entirely new operating system called "rOS" or "realityOS," internally codenamed "Oak." Apple's work on realityOS has been rumored since 2017, but the existence of the operating system was finally confirmed earlier this year when references to it were found in App Store upload logs and Apple open source code. realityOS will presumably feature versions of many of Apple's existing apps, so a wider revitalization of the Messages app seems plausible, particularly if the app will be important to collaborative experiences on the device.
Majin Bu has revealed some accurate information about Apple's plans, particularly with regards to cases and color options, and shared the rumor of a 14.1-inch iPad before display analyst and heavyweight Apple leaker Ross Young did. That being said, their reputation with regards to software is much more variable. In March, Majin Bu shared information about a new smart multitasking system for iPadOS that would be exclusive to M1 iPads. It is unclear whether this information was legitimate since it could have referred to an early version of what is now known to be Stage Manager.
iOS 16 adds native support for the Dvorak keyboard layout on the iPhone, providing users with an alternative to the standard QWERTY layout.
Dvorak was designed to make two-handed typing faster and more ergonomic compared to QWERTY. Patented by August Dvorak in 1936, the layout reduces finger motion by placing all vowels in the middle row on the left side of the keyboard and commonly-used consonants like R, S, T, N, and L on the right side. However, given that typing on a smartphone involves your thumbs only, Dvorak is not as beneficial on the iPhone.
On an iPhone running iOS 16, the Dvorak layout can be enabled in the Settings app under General → Keyboard → Keyboards → English → Dvorak, alongside existing QWERTY, AZERTY, and QWERTZ options. Dvorak is only available for English right now.
Prior to iOS 16, using Dvorak on the iPhone required installing a third-party keyboard from the App Store or connecting a capable external hardware keyboard. Dvorak has also long been supported on the Mac and can be enabled in the System Settings app under Keyboard → Input Sources by clicking the plus sign and selecting Dvorak.
Apple's mixed-reality headset will feature iris scanning to authenticate payments and log into accounts, setting itself apart from Meta's new Quest Pro headset, according to a paywalled report from The Information.
Two individuals, who apparently helped develop Apple's headset, told The Information that users will be able to scan their irises to quickly log into their accounts and make payments, similar to Face ID and Touch ID – a feature first rumored by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Iris scanning is also said to make it easier for multiple people to use the same headset and sets the device apart from the Quest Pro, which lacks any such feature.
To enable iris scanning, internal cameras track where users are looking. Eye tracking also allows Apple to reduce graphical fidelity in a user's peripheral vision, thereby reducing the amount of processing power required for the headset's graphics. Apple's purchase of German startup SensoMotoric Instruments in 2017 is said to have allowed it to build the technology.
The report reiterated the rumor that Apple's headset will feature 14 cameras, compared to just 10 on Meta's Quest Pro headset, designed to capture motion to accurately represent real-world movements on digital avatars. Two downward-facing cameras apparently capture the wearer's legs, offering another feature that the Quest Pro does not have.
The headset purportedly resembles "a pair of ski goggles" and look different from the Quest Pro. Apple's design is said to rely heavily on "mesh fabrics, aluminum and glass," and conceals its outward-facing cameras better than the Quest Pro. The device is also apparently thinner and lighter than the Quest Pro, which weighs 722 grams.
In addition, the report claims that Apple's headset allows those who wear glasses to magnetically clip on custom prescription lenses inside the device.
On the exterior of the headset, an outward-facing display is said to allow other people to see the facial expressions of the wearer. Despite concerns over how the display may use additional battery life, it is reportedly able to operate at a low refresh rate to conserve power, similar to the always-on displays of the Apple Watch and iPhone.
The Information warned that some previously planned features may not make it into the final version of the headset when it is unveiled next year.
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