Last week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was considering launching an all-new 12-inch notebook at the end of 2023 or in early 2024. Gurman said it was unclear if the notebook would be a low-end MacBook or a higher-end MacBook Pro.
In response to the report, Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants has revealed that he is currently "skeptical" about a new 12-inch MacBook.
"We are skeptical on a 12" MacBook at this point," wrote Young, in tweet shared with his Super Followers today. "Apple's strategy for notebooks is currently 13" and larger. Companies in the MacBook Pro display supply chain we talked to are not aware of it."
Gurman and Young are both very reliable sources when it comes to future Apple products, so it is possible that Apple is still in the early stages of developing a new 12-inch MacBook, to the point that the company's supply chain currently has no knowledge of the plans. Apple also routinely prototypes a wide variety of products internally, and it does not always move forward with releasing all of them, as Gurman pointed out.
Young has revealed a wide range of accurate insights into Apple's plans, such as the iPhone 13 Pro's ProMotion display, the sixth-generation iPad mini's 8.3-inch display, the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro's mini-LED displays with ProMotion, the new MacBook Air's slightly larger 13.6-inch display size, and more, so his comments are worth taking seriously, but it's still too early to rule out the possibility of a new 12-inch MacBook.
Apple has released both lower-end and higher-end 12-inch notebooks in the past. At the low end, Apple introduced an ultra-thin 12-inch MacBook that weighed just two pounds in 2015, but the notebook was discontinued in 2019. And at the higher end, Apple offered a 12-inch PowerBook G4 in the mid-2000s, prior to the original MacBook Pro.
Following the WWDC 2022 keynote last week, Apple's VP of health Dr. Sumbul Desai, operations chief Jeff Williams, and VP of fitness technologies Jay Blahnik spoke with TechCrunch's Darrell Etherington about new health features added in watchOS 9.
One of the Apple Watch's new health features is AFib History, which allows individuals diagnosed with atrial fibrillation to view an estimate of how frequently their heart is in this type of arrhythmia, according to Apple. Apple says the feature is intended for individuals aged 22 years or older who have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.
Desai said the AFib History feature received FDA clearance in the United States after being validated in a clinical study.
"As Jeff alluded to, everything we do in health is based on the science, and AFib history was validated in a clinical study, with participants wearing both Apple Watch and an FDA-cleared reference device," said Desai. "In that study, the average difference in weekly measurements between the two devices is actually less than 1%."
Williams said the AFib History feature could prove useful when a patient receives an ablation treatment for chronic atrial fibrillation, but the treatment is unsuccessful at first attempt and the patient continues to experience atrial fibrillation.
AFib History is not currently approved in all countries or regions, according to Apple, so availability of the feature will be limited at launch.
Starting with watchOS 9, the Apple Watch also offers sleep stage tracking, which lets you see how much time you spent in REM, core, or deep sleep, as well as when you might have woken up. (Apple refers to what is typically known as "light sleep" as "core sleep.")
"Prior to sleep stages, we were really focused on helping people meet their sleep duration goals, since that's really important — that consistency — but we wanted to go a little further and dig into the science, and provide users with more information around their sleep cycles," said Desai. "So using the signals from Apple Watch's accelerometer and heart rate sensor, users will now be able to see their sleep stages while they're in REM, core, and deep sleep."
On watchOS 9, the Workout app displays more information, including views of metrics like Activity rings, heart rate zones, power, and elevation, but Blahnik assured that the app remains suitable for "both beginners and advanced athletes."
The full discussion can be read at TechCrunch. watchOS 9 is currently in beta for developers and will be released to all users around September.
We're tracking the return of an Amazon all-time low price on Apple's AirPods Max today, priced at $429.00, down from $549.00. This is a match of the best price we've ever seen on the AirPods Max on Amazon, and it's available in Pink and Space Gray.
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 AirPods Max are in stock and ready to ship today, with an estimated delivery date between June 15 - 18 for most places in the United States. This $120 discount does not require a coupon code of any kind as the deal has been already applied.
If you're shopping for other AirPods models, you can also get the AirPods 2 for $99.99, the AirPods 3 for $149.99, and the AirPods Pro for $174.99. All of these sales are available on Amazon today.
We track sales for every model of the AirPods in our Best AirPods Deals guide, so be sure to bookmark that page while you shop around for the wireless headphones.
LG Display is currently believed to be ordering deposition equipment for micro-OLED displays from Sunic System. The company apparently plans to use the equipment to develop and manufacture a micro-OLED display panel for Apple's second-generation mixed-reality headset.
While LG Display is believed to be part of the supply chain for Apple's first-generation headset, it is not expected to provide its main display, with Sony said to be supplying the main micro-OLED display panel for the first-generation headset instead. LG Display is rumored to only provide regular OLED display panels for the device's outer "indicator" screen.
With the second-generation headset, LG hopes to take Apple's main micro-OLED display orders from Sony. This is also said to be in Apple's interests since Sony will indirectly compete with Apple's headset with its own PlayStation VR headsets.
Late last year, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple was already working on the second-generation version of its headset, aiming to offer a more lightweight design, an improved battery system, and better performance thanks to a faster processor. Kuo said that the shipment schedule for the second-generation headset resides in the second half of 2024, around two years after mass production on the first-generation model is rumored to begin.
Apple has reportedly added a third contract manufacturer to its MacBook supply chain that will primarily handle assembly orders for the new MacBook Air (via DigiTimes).
China-based Wingtech Technology is said to have won the orders for Apple's just-announced new Mac model. The company joins Quanta Computer and Foxconn in what is now a trio of firms in Apple's MacBook supply chain.
Wingtech was previously said to have fallen out of favor with Apple due to manufacturing poor quality products. According to Chinese media reports in May, Wingtech was delisted by Apple from its front-facing camera module supply chain because of the flawed output, a rumor the supplier has dismissed.
Apple at WWDC 2022 announced the next-generation MacBook Air with an all-new M2 chip, a redesigned unibody enclosure, a brighter display with a notch, new color options like Starlight and Midnight, MagSafe charging, a 1080p camera, and more.
The new MacBook Air will be available next month, but no specific date has been provided by Apple. Pricing will start at $1,199 in the United States, and the previous-generation MacBook Air with the M1 chip will remain available for $999.
Following a months-long saga, the competition regulator in the Netherlands has finally accepted concessions by Apple to allow dating apps in the App Store to use alternative payment methods (via Reuters).
On Friday, the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) released an update stating that "Apple now complies with the rules" regarding dating apps' ability to let their customers pay in different ways other than Apple's own payment method. The statement continued:
"That is why ACM no longer needs to impose a new order subject to periodic penalty payments. Over the past few months, ACM had collected information from dating-app providers and independent experts before its assessment that Apple complied with the order."
In December 2021, the ACM announced that Apple must let dating apps accept alternative payment methods on the App Store in the Netherlands. Apple complied with the demand, but it initially required Dutch dating apps to submit a separate app binary to accept alternative payments.
The ACM had remained unsatisfied with the changes, and the regulator fined Apple a total of €50 million between January and March for failing to comply with the order.
Apple dropped its requirement that dating apps compile a separate binary, which the regulator had deemed "unreasonable" and an "unnecessary barrier" for developers of dating apps. Apple also announced further changes to its policies on Friday, but said it does not believe these updates are "in the best interest" of user privacy or data security, and it is continuing to appeal the original ACM order.
"Until recently, customers of dating apps had only been able to pay using the payment method that Apple imposed," the ACM wrote in its latest update. "In ACM's opinion, Apple abused its dominant position with those practices. From now on, dating-app providers are able to let their customers pay in different ways."
Despite reports that Apple is working on a new form factor iPad Pro for release in early 2023, Apple still intends to update its existing 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models later this year, based on comments by well-connected Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman.
Last week, Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) analyst Ross Young claimed Apple is developing a new form factor 14.1-inch iPad Pro with mini-LED display and ProMotion that will likely debut early next year. Young's claim about a 14.1-inch iPad Pro was corroborated by "Majin Bu," but the hit-and-miss Twitter leaker also suggested new iPad Pros could be unveiled at an Apple event later this year, which left it unclear which models the leaker expected to debut.
Gurman's latest comments add some clarity to Apple's plans for its iPad Pro lineup and the launch timings of its upcoming devices. In the Q&A section of his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said he expects Apple to update its existing iPad Pros in September or October, with "M2 chips, wireless charging, and upgrades to the camera system."
Last year, Gurman revealed that Apple was exploring iPads with larger displays, but cautioned that they were unlikely to arrive before 2023 because Apple's attention was still on bringing to market a redesigned iPad Pro "in the current sizes" for 2022.
In addition to the aforementioned upgrades, Majin Bu has claimed that Apple's updated 12.9-inch model will also feature reduced bezels around the display, but this isn't something we've heard corroborated from other sources. For all the details on what to expect for Apple's 2022 iPad Pro, be sure to check out our dedicated roundup.
The latest models of the Apple TV have dropped to record-low prices on Amazon, beating previous lows by $20, while the latest iPad mini and the Apple Pencil 2 have also matched all-time low prices in a weekend sale.
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.
The 32GB Apple TV is currently available for $129.99 at Amazon, while the 64GB model has dropped to $149.99. Both prices represent $49 discounts from Apple's regular pricing.
For the iPad mini, the 64GB Wi-Fi model in purple has dropped to $399.99 at Amazon, a savings of $99, while other colors can be found at that price at Best Buy. The cheapest prices on the 256GB models are currently found at Amazon, where Starlight, Space Gray, and Purple are currently $539.99 and Pink is $9 higher at $549.00, representing savings of $100–$109.
Today marks the 10th anniversary of Apple announcing the first MacBook Pro model featuring a higher-resolution Retina display.
Introduced at WWDC 2012, the 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro introduced a much thinner design compared to the previous model, as Apple removed the built-in Ethernet port, FireWire port, and CD/DVD drive. The notebook was still equipped with two Thunderbolt ports, two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, an SD card slot, MagSafe 2, and a headphone jack.
"The MacBook Pro with Retina display pushes the limits of performance and portability like no other notebook," said Apple CEO Tim Cook, in a press release announcing the new MacBook Pro. "With a gorgeous Retina display, all flash architecture and a radically thin and light design, the new MacBook Pro is the most advanced Mac we have ever built."
At the time it launched, Apple said the Retina MacBook Pro featured the world's highest resolution notebook display, with 220 pixels per inch. The notebook was powered by Intel's third-generation quad-core Core i7 processors, and equipped with NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M graphics, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to a 768GB SSD.
Pricing for the first Retina MacBook Pro started at $2,199 in the United States. In October 2012, Apple announced a 13-inch MacBook Pro with a Retina display, which started at a lower price of $1,699. Both notebooks are now on Apple's obsolete products list.
Whew, what a week! We're still recovering and trying to absorb all of this week's WWDC announcements, as in addition to jam-packed segments devoted to Apple's various operating systems, we also got some new hardware with the introduction of the M2 chip and a couple of new Macs running it.
We'll have the next several months to dig through Apple's software updates before they launch to the public, and the new M2-based hardware won't be available until next month, so there's lots more to come. And of course, we're already hearing fresh rumors about upcoming products, so stay tuned!
Everything Apple Announced at the WWDC 2022 Keynote in 13 Minutes
As for software, Apple previewed iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, and watchOS 9, which are each packed with a long list of new features. While not mentioned during the keynote, there is also a tvOS 16 update for the Apple TV with a handful of new features. All of the updates are currently in beta and will be publicly released in the fall.
Apple Announces Redesigned MacBook Air With M2 Chip, Notch, MagSafe, New Colors, and More
The next-generation MacBook Air with the new M2 chip features a redesigned enclosure with flatter edges, a brighter 13.6-inch display with a notch, new color options like Starlight and Midnight, MagSafe charging, a 1080p camera, and more.
With the M2, the MacBook Air is available with an 8-core GPU and up to a 10-core GPU. The notebook can be configured with up to 2TB of SSD storage, along with up to 24GB of memory. Pricing starts at $1,199, with orders to begin next month.
On iPad Pro and iPad Air models with an M1 chip, a new Stage Manager feature automatically organizes apps and windows to make it quicker and easier to switch between tasks. As part of Stage Manager, M1 iPads have gained full support for external displays with up to 6K resolution.
Apple Introduces macOS Ventura With Ability to Use iPhone as a Mac's Webcam and More
Apple Announces watchOS 9 With Updated Watch Faces, Enhanced Fitness Tracking, and More
watchOS 9 enhances the Apple Watch with a range of new and updated watch faces, additional metrics in the Workout app for fitness tracking, greater insights into sleeping patterns, and more.
The update will also make it easier to track your medications on the Apple Watch, and a useful new accessibility feature lets you stream your Apple Watch's display to your iPhone and fully control the watch using assistive features on the iPhone like Switch Control and Voice Control.
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.
One of iPadOS 16's key new features is Stage Manager, which allows users to resize apps into overlapping windows for an improved multitasking experience. Stage Manager also fully supports an external display, allowing users to work with up to four apps on the iPad and up to four apps on the external display simultaneously.
To the disappointment of some users, Stage Manager is limited to iPad models with an M1 chip, including the latest iPad Pro and iPad Air. In a statement shared with Rene Ritchie, Apple explained its rationale for this limitation by asserting that the Stage Manager experience "requires large internal memory, incredibly fast storage, and flexible external display I/O, all of which are delivered by iPads with the M1 chip."
Stage Manager is a fully integrated experience that provides all-new windowing experience that is incredibly fast and responsive and allow users to run 8 apps simultaneously across iPad and an external display with up to 6K resolution. Delivering this experience with the immediacy users expect from iPad's touch-first experience requires large internal memory, incredibly fast storage, and flexible external display I/O, all of which are delivered by iPads with the M1 chip.
For example, the M1 iPad Pro is available with up to 16GB of RAM, compared to 6GB in the previous-generation iPad Pro. Apple also advertises the M1 iPad Pro as having 2x faster storage than the previous-generation model.
While the Stage Manager feature is limited to iPad models with an M1 chip, iPadOS 16 as a whole is compatible with all iPad Pro models, the third-generation iPad Air and newer, the fifth-generation iPad and newer, and the fifth-generation iPad mini and newer. The update is currently in beta for developers, with Apple planning to release a public beta in July. iPadOS 16 should be released to all users around September.
Apple today announced further changes to its App Store rules for dating apps in the Netherlands in an attempt to comply with requirements put in place by the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM).
Apple says that after "productive conversations" with the ACM, it is making the following updates:
- Developers of dating apps in the Netherlands can use the StoreKit External Purchase Entitlement, the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement, or both entitlements. In accordance with the ACM's wishes, we've made adjustments to the user interface requirements announced this past March for developers who choose to use either or both of the entitlements.
- We've adjusted the payment processing provider criteria for developers who wish to use either of the entitlements.
- The 3 percent commission discount also applies to in-app purchases that qualify for a lower commission rate (for example, App Store Small Business
- Program enrollees or subscription services after one year of paid service -- both of which already qualify for a 15% commission).
Though Apple is making these changes, the company says that it does not believe these updates are "in the best interest" of user privacy or data security, and it is continuing to appeal the original ACM order.
As a reminder, developers of dating apps who want to continue using Apple's in-app purchase system -- which we believe is the safest and most secure way for users to purchase digital goods and services -- may do so and no further action is needed.
We don't believe some of these changes are in the best interests of our users' privacy or data security. Because Apple is committed to constructive engagement with regulators, we're making the additional changes at the ACM's request. As we've previously said, we disagree with the ACM's original order and are appealing it.
Apple has been clashing with Dutch regulators over dating app rules since December 2021, when the ACM announced that Apple would be required to allow dating apps to use alternative payment methods on the App Store in the Netherlands. Apple complied with the demand, but in a way that the ACM was not satisfied with, so Apple has had to make changes to the implementation several times now.
Apple initially attempted to implement the App Store changes in a way that would require developers to choose between using alternative payments or in-app payments, but the ACM demanded that developers be able to use both at the same time. Developers who use alternative payment methods in the Netherlands must still pay Apple's commission, but the fee is reduced by three percent.
The ACM has been fining Apple for not complying with the rules as the Cupertino company works to meet the regulatory demands, and it has racked up more than 50 million euros in fines.
Apple on Monday introduced macOS Ventura, the newest version of the operating system that runs on the Mac. Set to come out this fall, macOS Ventura is currently available to developers, so we thought we'd take a deep dive to show MacRumors readers all of the new features that are in the update.
Our latest YouTube video highlights Stage Manager, FaceTime Handoff, Continuity Camera, and more, with a full list of what's covered in the video available below.
Mail - Mail offers up smart search suggestions that are more relevant to what you're looking for, and there are options to unsend an email message, schedule an email message, get a reminder to reply to an email, and follow up on a message that you send that doesn't get a response. Mail supports rich links, and it can let you know if you forget to add an attachment.
Spotlight - Spotlight now supports previewing files with Quick Look (just press the space bar), and it includes rich results for contacts, actors, musicians, movies, TV shows, sports, and more. You can also use Spotlight to search for text in images and to look for images by location, scenes, and image content. Spotlight can also perform tasks like setting an alarm, activating a Focus, or running a Shortcut.
Passkeys - Apple is aiming to replace passwords with Passkeys, a next-generation authentication technology. Passkeys use a two-key system, with one key stored on device and authenticated through Face ID and Touch ID. You'll have one passkey per login, and passkeys will sync across all of your devices and will be accessible on non-Apple devices, too. Passkeys are almost impossible to be phished or stolen, preventing unwanted access to online accounts.
Shared Tab Groups - Safari Tab Groups can now be shared with friends or family members, so you can bookmark sites collaboratively for planning trips, working on projects, and more. Everyone has access to the tabs that are added, and Tab Groups update instantly for all participants.
Stage Manager - Stage Manager is a new multitasking feature that organizes your apps and windows into a single view so you can stay focused on your main app while quickly swapping between apps as needed.
FaceTime Handoff - Handoff supports FaceTime, so you can start a FaceTime call on iPhone and transfer it to the Mac, and vice versa.
Continuity Camera - With Continuity Camera, an iPhone can be used as a webcam for a Mac. It works seamlessly, and it offers neat features like special lighting and a Desk View so you can show off what you're doing on your desktop. It also supports Center Stage for keeping you in the frame as you move around the room.
Redesigned System Settings - System Preferences is now System Settings, and the design is more similar to the iOS Settings app. There's a sidebar that lists all of the available settings so it's easier to get to what you need without swapping between preferences.
Clock and Weather apps - Apple brought the iOS Clock and Weather apps to the Mac for the first time. The apps are identical to what's available on the iPhone and the iPad.
macOS Ventura is limited to developers at the current time, but Apple plans to provide a public beta in July. The operating system will see a public launch this fall.
While the headline feature of iOS 16 is the ability to customize the Lock screen with new fonts, widgets, and more, the update will include several other useful features on the iPhone, with five of our favorite additions highlighted below.
iOS 16 is currently in beta for Apple developers only, but Apple said a public beta will be available at some point in July. iOS 16 will be released for all users around September, and the update is compatible with the iPhone 8 and newer.
Live Activities
iOS 16 includes a new Live Activities feature that provides live notifications on the iPhone's Lock screen. Live Activities will be useful for staying on top of live events or other tasks, such as keeping up with the score of a sports game, tracking the progress of an Uber ride, monitoring the status of a Starbucks order, viewing a timer, and more.
Apple said Live Activities is coming in an update to iOS 16 later this year, meaning that it will not be available when iOS 16 is first released to all users. Apple will be making an API available to developers to offer Live Activities in their third-party apps, so there will likely be all sorts of different use cases for this handy new feature.
Edit or Unsend an iMessage
iOS 16 introduces the ability to edit or unsend recently sent iMessages, as well as mark iMessage conversations as unread after opening them. Apple allows users to edit or unsend an iMessage for up to 15 minutes after sending it.
To edit or unsend a message, users simply need to tap and hold on a bubble and select the appropriate option in the menu that appears. iMessages that have been edited are marked as "edited" below the message bubble, and edited or unsent messages are still visible in their original form to users running older software versions like iOS 15.
Nintendo Joy-Cons Support
Despite not being advertised as a feature on Apple's website, iOS 16 adds support for the Nintendo Switch's Joy-Cons and Pro Controller. iPhones running iOS 16 can be used with either single left or right Joy-Cons, or both at once as a singular controller.
In the iOS 16 release notes for developers, Apple said the iPhone supports many additional Bluetooth game controllers on iOS 16, but Apple did not provide a list of the newly compatible controllers. This is on top of the iPhone's existing compatibility with PS5 and Xbox Series X controllers since the release of iOS 14.5.
Apple Pay Order Tracking
Apple Pay on iOS 16 is gaining built-in order tracking information in the Wallet app for online orders completed via Apple Pay. The tracker provides an order's estimated delivery date and indicates when a package is out for delivery.
Fitness App Without Apple Watch
Starting with iOS 16, the Fitness app is now available on the iPhone for all users, even if they don't own an Apple Watch. The app features a daily Activity ring that relies on the iPhone's motion sensors to estimate a person's calories burned and steps per day.
We're recapping the best deals of the week today, highlighting solid markdowns that are still available as we head into the weekend. This includes the 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro, AirTag, iPad, iPad mini, and Sonos speakers.
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.
iPhone 13 Cases
What's the deal? Take up to 50% off official iPhone 13 cases
Verizon is ending the week with new discounts across Apple's official iPhone 13 case lineup, with as much as 50 percent off in many cases. The deals focus on cases for the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 mini. You can get the Leather Case for iPhone 13 Pro for $29.99 ($29.99 off), the Silicone Case for iPhone 13 Pro for $24.99 ($24.99 off), and more. Only select colors are being discounted, and you'll also find deals on iPhone 12 cases and third-party accessories.
This week Sonos opened up a notable summer sale with 20 percent off discounts on its most popular speakers, including the Sonos Roam at $143.20 ($35.80 off) and Sonos Move at $319.20 ($79.80 off). These sales don't require a coupon code and will only last a limited time, so be sure to visit Sonos' website soon if you're interested.
13-Inch M1 MacBook Pro
What's the deal? Take $149 off 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro
WWDC kicked off the week, and we saw the announcement of a refreshed 13-inch MacBook Pro with the new M2 chip. In the wake of that announcement, we're tracking solid deals on the 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro model with the M1 chip and 256GB SSD, available for $1,149.99, down from $1,299.00.
Amazon has been keeping Apple's AirTag trackers at a solid discount over the past few weeks, and this week was no different. Both the AirTag 1-Pack and 4-Pack are still on sale today, but the 1-Pack has increased in price since we originally posted. You can get the AirTag 1-Pack for $27.50 and the AirTag 4-Pack for $89.00.
iPads
What's the deal? Take up to $90 off iPad and iPad mini
Later in the week, we tracked a pair of deals on the 10.2-inch iPad and 8.3-inch iPad mini 6, reaching up to $90 off these devices. The entry-level 64GB Wi-Fi iPad is available for $309.00 ($20 off) and the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 6 is available for $409.00 ($90 off).
Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.
Apple CEO Tim Cook today wrote a letter to the U.S. Senate advocating for strong privacy legislation at the federal level. The letter appears to be in response to a proposed bipartisan bill titled the "American Data Privacy and Protection Act" that would outline the types of data companies can collect from individuals and how they can use it.
The letter, obtained by MacRumors, is addressed to Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Frank Pallone (D-NJ), the Chair of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In the letter, Cook said Apple continues to support efforts at the federal level to establish strong privacy protections for consumers. Cook added that Apple is encouraged by the draft proposals that Senate leaders have produced and reiterated Apple's belief that privacy is a fundamental human right. Cook said that while Apple fights to protect user privacy, "only Congress can provide strong privacy protections for all Americans."
The full text of the letter reads as follows:
Dear Chairs Cantwell and Pallone and Ranking Members Wicker and McMorris Rodgers:
Thank you for your ongoing work on privacy legislation. Apple continues to support efforts at the federal level to establish strong privacy protections for consumers, and we are encouraged by the draft proposals your offices have produced.
We recognize that there are outstanding issues to be resolved, but the areas of agreement appear to far outweigh the differences. Your drafts would provide substantial protections for consumers, and we write to offer our strong support towards achieving this shared goal. With your work, coupled with President Biden's call to better protect children’s privacy, it appears Americans are closer than ever to obtaining meaningful privacy protections.
At Apple, we believe privacy is a fundamental human right. It is why we have consistently advocated for comprehensive privacy legislation and contributed to the process whenever possible. It is also why we've always built products and features that protect users and their information by default. We do this by minimizing the data we collect, processing as much data as possible on a user's device, giving users transparency as to what data is collected and control as to how it is used, and building robust systems to protect user data across all our products and services.
While Apple will continue to innovate and develop new ways to protect user data, only Congress can provide strong privacy protections for all Americans. The continued absence of this important legislation will unfortunately perpetuate a patchwork approach to privacy rights that leaves too many without the rigorous standards we hope to see as a result of your hard work.
We strongly urge you to advance comprehensive privacy legislation as soon as possible, and we stand ready to assist in this process in the days ahead.
Sincerely, Tim Cook CEO, Apple
Last month, Apple shared a new ad highlighting iPhone privacy features like App Tracking Transparency and Mail Privacy Protection that are designed to give users more transparency and control when it comes to their personal data being collected.
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.
As part of its rebuilt Home app experience in iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, Apple appears to be removing support for using an iPad as a Home Hub.
For those unfamiliar with what a Home Hub does, the HomeKit framework allows you to remotely control compatible smart home devices, but some features like location-based automation require a designated Home Hub, which remains powered on and connected at your home when you're away.
For example, with a Home Hub, some thermostats can change the temperature to something more economical whenever you leave your home by using a virtual geographical boundary (geofencing). A Home Hub also allows you to use Siri to trigger actions when you're away from home.
In iOS 15, Apple lets you designate an Apple TV, HomePod, or iPad as a Home Hub, but in iOS 16, which is currently in beta, "Only Apple TV and HomePod are supported as home hubs," according to a footnote in Apple's iOS 16 preview webpage.
Despite this change, it should be noted that iPadOS 16 beta 1 still allows you to designate an iPad as a Home Hub. However, given Apple's marketing webpage for iOS 16 as well as interface notes in iPadOS 16, it's likely that this ability will be removed in a later version of the software.
iPads still available as Home Hubs in iPadOS 16 beta 1
Apple hasn't explained why iPad has dropped from the list of compatible Home Hub devices in iOS 16, but it could have something to do with Apple's announcement that HomeKit will support the upcoming Matter cross-platform compatibility smart home standard when the latter goes live.
Matter will allow HomeKit users to integrate more IoT device categories into their smart homes than ever before, and control them with the Home app and using Siri. Matter is due to launch later this year, which is likely to be around the time that iOS 16 is officially released to the public in the fall.
Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, Craig Federighi, joined by Apple's senior vice president of marketing, Greg Joswiak, have talked at length about iOS 16's lock screen redesign, iPadOS 16's and macOS Ventura's new "Stage Manager" feature, gaming on the Mac, and more with Daring Fireball's John Gruber.
In this year's WWDC installment of The Talk Show, taped live from Apple Park at Apple's new developer center, the two top executives discussed the latest software announcements, including the new suite of customization features coming to the iPhone lock screen. Federighi said that Apple wanted to offer users the ability to make their lock screen truly theirs.
During the 90-minute conversation, Federighi addressed recent controversy that has arisen following macOS Ventura's introduction of the redesigned System Preferences, now renamed System Settings. One aspect of the redesign that has gotten noted on Twitter is the removal of videos that demo macOS trackpad gestures. Federighi confirmed during the interview that those videos are coming back in a "new experience" in a future macOS Ventura beta.
Federighi said that despite what some may think, macOS Ventura's redesign of System Setting was not largely inspired by iOS. Federighi instead said that team's main goal was consistency for users, saying System Settings on macOS Ventura is a "great interface."
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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.
