Still using an Intel MacBook Air? You’re now free to throw it in the recycling bin without feeling guilty.

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It is looking more and more likely that iOS will be receiving a significant redesign this year — perhaps the biggest since iOS 7.


It has now been rumored by three separate sources that the iPhone's software platform will eventually look more like the Apple Vision Pro's operating system, visionOS. The changes are expected to be introduced with iOS 19, which should be available in beta starting in June, and released to the general public in September.

Israeli website The Verifier was first to report about the potential visionOS-like redesign, but it said the changes were coming in iOS 18. It is possible that this report was accurate about the details, but wrong about the timeframe.


Then, earlier this year, Jon Prosser claimed that iOS 19 will feature a redesigned Camera app. In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel Front Page Tech, he shared renders of the app's alleged new design, revealing translucent menus and other visionOS-like elements. He speculated that the changes could extend to the Home Screen and beyond.


Yesterday, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman corroborated the visionOS-like redesign rumor in a report about Apple's software plans.

Here is what he said, with emphasis added:

The revamp — due later this year — will fundamentally change the look of the operating systems and make Apple's various software platforms more consistent, according to people familiar with the effort. That includes updating the style of icons, menus, apps, windows and system buttons.

As part of the push, the company is working to simplify the way users navigate and control their devices, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the project hasn't been announced. The design is loosely based on the Vision Pro's software, they said.

He said the changes are coming to the iPhone with iOS 19:

The changes are coming as part of iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 — code-named "Luck" — and macOS 16, which is dubbed "Cheer."

A big unanswered question: Will the iPhone have circular app icons on iOS 19, rather than squircle ones? Gurman acknowledged that visionOS has circular app icons, but he stopped short of saying if they will come to iOS.

At a minimum, you can expect iOS 19 to have a more simplified and translucent appearance, if these rumors are true.

Apple is expected to announce iOS 19 at WWDC 2025 in June.
This article, "New iOS 19 Design Now Rumored Three Times: Here's What to Expect" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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New MacBook Air and Mac Studio users who are expecting one of the machines later this week will need to install a day one software update to upgrade to the latest version of macOS Sequoia.


The M4 ‌MacBook Air‌ and M4 Max and M3 Ultra ‌Mac Studio‌ models will come with older versions of macOS installed. The ‌MacBook Air‌ models appear to ship with ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.2, while the ‌Mac Studio‌ models have ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.3 installed.

Apple released macOS Sequoia 15.3.1 back on February 10, but the ‌Mac Studio‌ and ‌MacBook Air‌ were clearly prepared for launch before that update came out. macOS 15.3.1 is not available for the new machines just yet, but Apple is likely to release a new 24D2072 variant for the upcoming Macs ahead of their launch date.

Pre-orders for the M4 ‌MacBook Air‌, M4 Max ‌Mac Studio‌, and M3 Ultra ‌Mac Studio‌ began last week, and the first shipments are set to arrive to customers on Wednesday, March 12.
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There is a good chance that Google will be forced to sell off its Chrome browser, as the U.S. Department of Justice under Donald Trump is continuing to call for Google to divest the browser.


On Friday, the DoJ sent a new proposal [PDF] to the court in its ongoing antitrust lawsuit against Google, and the updated document still recommends that Google sell Chrome. Last year, Google was found to have a search monopoly, and antitrust regulators have since been deciding on the actions that should be taken to address Google's anticompetitive practices.

The DoJ first asked the court to force the sale of Chrome back in November, under the Biden administration. Google donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund, and Google leadership heaped praise on Trump, perhaps in the hope that the Trump administration would scale back on its recommendations, but that does not appear to have happened.

The latest DoJ filing refers to Google's "unlawful and unchecked, monopolistic conduct" that has led to people being reliant on the Google search engine, calling Google an "economic goliath."
The DoJ says that "Google must divest the Chrome browser" to provide the opportunity for another company to "operate a significant gateway to search the internet" without Google's control.

In addition to divesting Chrome, the DoJ is also recommending that Google be barred from entering into search engine agreements with Apple, which would put an end to the payments that Google makes to Apple to be the default search engine on iPhones, iPads, and Macs, but the DoJ does allow for Google to pay Apple for services that don't have to do with search.

The DoJ says that it would also recommend the divestiture of Android if the proposed remedies do not go far enough to keep Google from "improperly leveraging" Android to its advantage, or if Google attempts to circumvent the remedies put in place by the court, but it has backed off of an imminent Android sale. Google is also not being required to divest all of its AI investments.

Google and the DoJ will be back in court in April where the judge overseeing the case will decide on remedies.
This article, "U.S. DoJ Again Calls for Google to Sell Chrome" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Following the launch of the Vision Pro headset last year, Lowe's hardware stores began offering an in-store Apple Vision Pro experience to try out its 3D "Style Studio" app and experience for kitchen renovation design.


Lowe's made the Vision Pro experience available to customers at select stores in North Carolina, California, and New Jersey, but now it is expanding to five Lowe's locations in Austin, Texas and the surrounding area. Lowe's said that its pilot test was successful, which is why the Vision Pro will roll out to new locations.

Lowe's Style Studio lets customers view a 3D kitchen environment that can be customized with hundreds of real-world materials, fixtures, and appliances. The app is available in the Vision Pro App Store, but customers who do not have a Vision Pro can use it at Lowe's stores.

Since the initial test run, Lowe's has added new options including trending colors and popular kitchen designs. There's also a new teleport feature that lets users view their kitchen from different viewpoints within the room, without moving.

A Lowe's employee will guide customers through the kitchen creation process during a one-on-one 45-minute appointment, where there are 80 billion design combinations available. Completed kitchen setups can be saved, emailed, texted, or AirDropped as a PDF, with the content in the kitchen able to be purchased through Lowe's.

Sessions are free, and customers in the Austin area can book a consultation online using the Lowe's website. Vision Pro headsets will be available at Texas stores for approximately three months, with appointments to start on March 15.
This article, "Lowe's Expanding Vision Pro 'Style Studio' Experience to Additional Stores" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Epic Games plans to bring Fortnite to Brazil after the Brazilian government forces Apple to permit sideloading, according to details Epic shared on social media. Apple has been facing off against Brazilian regulators over antitrust App Store claims since 2022, and last week, Brazil gave Apple 90 days to make tweaks to its ‌App Store‌ rules.


Apple has until June to comply with Brazil's requirements, so ‌Epic Games‌ says that Fortnite will be available on iOS devices through the ‌Epic Games‌ Store starting in July.

The European Union forced Apple to support sideloading and alternative app marketplaces in Europe, so the foundation to make the same change in Brazil already exists. Apple will likely implement similar rules in Brazil, requiring developers to agree to different operating terms and to pay a Core Technology Fee for app installs.

Apple initially lost a ruling in Brazil in November 2024, and the country's antitrust and competition arm (Cade) gave Apple 20 days to make major changes to the ‌App Store‌ or face daily fines of $43,000. Apple won a reprieve in December 2024, after an appeals court said that the measures would have a major impact on Apple's business operations, but now Apple has been ordered to allow for sideloading and alternative payment methods.

Apple is planning to appeal the ruling forcing it to implement sideloading in Brazil.
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Apple Pay has been available in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar for a while now, but Apple has been working with local banking institutions to expand support even further. Apple Pay will soon be available to customers of more card networks in the UAE and Qatar.

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The European Union plans to levy a "modest" fine against Apple for violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA), reports Reuters.


Last year, the European Commission decided that Apple has not complied with the anti-steering rules outlined in the DMA, and that it has not done enough to allow developers to inform customers about lower prices available outside of the App Store.

Back in June, then European competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager said that Apple was facing a "number" of "very serious" issues with its DMA compliance in Europe, and she said that Apple's DMA changes were "not what was expected of such a company."

Apple tweaked its ‌App Store‌ rules in Europe last year in order to comply with the DMA, introducing support for app marketplaces and app distribution outside of the ‌App Store‌, along with changes to its fee structures. Apple has been updating its rules after receiving feedback from the European Commission, and it specifically updated its external linking rules last August after it became clear the EU was not happy with its anti-steering policies.

The rapid fire changes that Apple implemented can be confusing, so app developers who distribute apps in the EU can keep up with the EU rules site on Apple's developer website.

While the Digital Markets Act gives regulators the ability to fine companies up to 10 percent of their global annual sales, sources that spoke to Reuters said the European Commission is aiming to ensure that companies comply with the law rather than sanctioning them with large fines.

U.S. President Donald Trump has also claimed that he will impose tariffs on countries that fine U.S. companies like Apple, plus there has been a change in the European Commission's leadership, so Apple may not be facing the same monetary punishment that it would have received last year.

The EU has not yet decided on the size of the fine, so the situation could change, but Reuters says a decision is expected this month.
This article, "Apple Facing 'Modest' Fine for Violating EU's Digital Markets Act" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Ford Mustang Mach-E and Ford F-150 Lightning customers that use the Apple Maps EV Routing feature in CarPlay can now be automatically routed to EV chargers that use the North American Charging Standard (NACS), Ford announced today.


NACS chargers include the Tesla Supercharger, which the ‌Apple Maps‌ EV Routing function did not previously support. Ford says that no software update is required, with NACS support for ‌Apple Maps‌ EV routing available on iPhones running iOS 17 or later and connected to ‌CarPlay‌.

To be directed to NACS fast charging stations, Ford owners need to set their charging network preference in the ‌Apple Maps‌ Settings to NACS chargers. A Fast Charging Adapter compatible with NACS fast chargers is also required.

Apple introduced the ‌Apple Maps‌ EV Routing feature in 2023, but it continues to be limited in scope. Only the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Porsche Taycan use it, because car manufacturers need to implement support for it to work.

‌‌Apple Maps‌‌ EV Routing uses real-time vehicle information to help customers get to their destination, with charging stops recommended when necessary. ‌‌Apple Maps‌‌ analyzes elevation changes along a route and other factors to determine when to suggest a charging stop, and if the vehicle's battery gets too low, it will provide a route to the nearest compatible charging station.

Signs of NACS support for the ‌Apple Maps‌ RV Routing feature were seen in iOS 18.4, but it turns out the iOS 18.4 update is not needed, with Apple able to make the change over-the-air.
This article, "Apple Maps EV Routing for Ford Vehicles Now Supports Tesla Chargers" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is rolling out a notable update to Apple Maps EV Routing for Ford drivers. Starting today, Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning drivers can use Apple Maps EV Routing via CarPlay to plan road trips that include Tesla Superchargers – or any station that uses the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector.

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Back with iOS 16, Apple introduced a new architecture for the Home app aimed at improving the experience of using HomeKit devices. Since then, upgrading to the new architecture has been optional, but Apple will soon force this upgrade on all users.

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Apple TV+ is hitting new highs with Severance season 2, and the streamer’s success could very well continue with a new show launching soon. If early reviews are any indication, forthcoming comedy The Studio could be the next big Apple TV+ hit.

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iOS 18.4 and tvOS 18.4 are currently available in beta, and they come with some small enhancements to the Apple TV app worth noting. Here are three nice changes coming soon to your iPhone, Apple TV 4K, and more.

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Apple is planning for a major design overhaul of the iPhone, iPad, and Mac interfaces with the introduction of iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16 later this year, reports Bloomberg. The update will "fundamentally change" the look of Apple's operating system, introducing a more consistent cross-platform experience.


Apple plans to update the style of icons, menus, apps, windows, and system buttons, and the company will simplify the way that users navigate and control their devices. The changes "go well beyond a new design language and aesthetic tweaks."

While specific details are scarce, it's supposedly the biggest update to iOS since iOS 7, and the biggest update to macOS since Big Sur.

There are design elements taken from visionOS, but the update is only "loosely based" on the Vision Pro interface. visionOS features round app icons with a lot of translucency, plus a simple navigation system and more use of 3D elements.

It is Apple's hope that a revamped interface will renew interest in its latest iPhones, iPads, and Macs and distract from the delayed rollout of Apple Intelligence Siri features.

We'll get our first look at the new design in ‌iOS 19‌, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16 at the 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference, which will take place sometime in June. After that, the updates will be tested for several months before seeing a public launch in the fall.
This article, "iOS 19 Will Bring Biggest Design Overhaul Since iOS 7" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 19 will be “one of the most dramatic software overhauls” in Apple’s history, according to a new report from Bloomberg. This will include some of the biggest design changes we’ve seen in over a decade.

The company is reportedly planning similar updates for Mac and iPad as well. The goal is to make Apple’s platforms “more consistent.”

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Apple is reportedly about to face a fine from the EU over alleged violations of the DMA (Digital Markets Act). The move would mark the first major act by the EU against Apple since President Trump took office and warned against EU interference with US companies.

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MagSafe docks might seem like they’re all the same, and many of them are. It’s all about charging, so you look for the ones with the look, finish, or price that you want. Every once in a while, a company will innovate with a feature I’d never thought about. The brings just that: an IR sensor so you can change between portrait or landscape without removing your iPhone.

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Apple today provided developers with the third betas of upcoming visionOS 2.4, tvOS 18.4, and watchOS 11.4 updates for testing purposes. The software is available a week after Apple seeded the second betas.


The betas are available to registered developers, and can be downloaded from the Settings app on each device.

Of the three new software betas, the visionOS 2.4 update is the most notable because it brings Apple Intelligence to the Vision Pro for the first time. ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features available in visionOS include Writing Tools, Genmoji, Memory Movie, Image Playground, Priority Notifications, and ChatGPT integration.

The update will include a dedicated Spatial Gallery app, which will offer a curated selection of spatial videos, photos, and panoramas from artists, filmmakers, and photographers. Apple is also bringing a Vision Pro app to the iPhone for Vision Pro management, and it will let users find and download apps, add content to a watch list, and more.

With visionOS 2.4 and iOS 18.4, an ‌iPhone‌ can be used to set up Guest Mode on the Vision Pro, making it much easier to let people try out the headset. When a guest puts on the Vision Pro, a prompt appears on the ‌iPhone‌, and the Vision Pro owner is able to choose what apps the guest can use and can see what the guest is doing via AirPlay.

Apple plans to release visionOS 2.4, tvOS 18.4, and watchOS 11.4 in early April.
This article, "Apple Seeds Third Betas of visionOS 2.4, tvOS 18.4, and watchOS 11.4" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today provided developers with the third beta of an upcoming macOS Sequoia 15.4 update for testing purposes. The new beta is available a week after Apple released the second beta.


Registered developers can opt-in to the ‌macOS Sequoia‌ beta through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. An Apple ID associated with an Apple Developer account is required to get the beta.

‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.4 brings Mail Categorization to the Mac for the first time, reorganizing the Mail app into dedicated categories like transactions, updates, promotions, and primary, a category that surfaces the most important emails first. The update brings a range of new emoji characters to the Mac.

For Apple News+ subscribers, there is a dedicated News+ Food section with recipes, articles about restaurants, and other related content. There's a new Sketch style in Image Playground, the option to create Memory Movies in the Photos app, and Apple Intelligence is expanding to new languages.

Apple plans to release ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.4 in early April.
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Amazon has kicked off the week by expanding its pre-order discounts on the new M3 iPad Air, now offering as much as $70 off these tablets ahead of their launch this Wednesday. Prices start at $559.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi 11-inch M3 iPad Air, down from $599.00.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Shoppers should note that Best Buy does have more consistent $50 discounts across the board for the new iPad Air models, but only if you're already a My Best Buy Plus/Total member. Otherwise, these Amazon discounts will work for everybody, without the need to pay for a membership.




One of the most notable new discounts is on the 1TB Wi-Fi 13-inch M3 iPad Air, available for $1,229.00, down from $1,299.00. This one is only available in Space Gray, and it's the deepest pre-order discount we've tracked so far on the M3 iPad Air. Amazon also has the new 13-inch iPad Air Magic Keyboard for $299.99, down from $319.00, which is the accessory's first discount.

11-inch M3 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $559.00, down from $599.00


• 256GB Wi-Fi - $659.00, down from $699.00


• 512GB Wi-Fi - $849.00, down from $899.00


• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,049.00, down from $1,099.00

13-inch M3 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $749.00, down from $799.00


• 256GB Wi-Fi - $849.00, down from $899.00


• 512GB Wi-Fi - $1,049.00, down from $1,099.00


• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,229.00, down from $1,299.00

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.

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This article, "Amazon Takes Up to $70 Off M3 iPad Air, Plus First Discount on 13-Inch iPad Air Magic Keyboard" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple has just released its latest beta software updates. Developer beta 3 is now available for tvOS 18.4, visionOS 2.4, HomePod 18.4, and more.

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Apple today seeded the third betas of upcoming iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple released the second betas.


iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update.

With iOS 18.4, Apple is adding the Priority Notifications Apple Intelligence feature, which is designed to determine which of your notifications are the most important, highlighting them in an easy-to-see dedicated section on the Lock Screen.

The update includes a new Apple News+ Food section for ‌Apple News‌+ subscribers, plus it adds the Sketch style to Image Playground so you can generate images that look hand drawn. ‌Apple Intelligence‌ is also available in more languages, including French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (simplified), along with localized English for Singapore and India.

There are new emoji characters, and a dedicated Vision Pro app that allows Vision Pro owners to find and download content, manage the headset, control guest experiences, and more, right from the iPhone.

Mail Categorization has expanded to the iPad, and there's a new Ambient Music feature for playing relaxing music from Control Center. There are a number of other smaller features too, with details available in our iOS 18.4 features guide.

Apple plans to release iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 in early April.
This article, "Apple Seeds Third iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 Betas With Priority Notifications, Ambient Music and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is one step closer to releasing iOS 18.4. The third developer beta version of the upcoming iPhone and iPad software update is now available for testing. iOS 18.4 brings a lot of new features to both devices.

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Apple has released macOS Sequoia 15.4 beta 3 to developers, bringing the latest version of the forthcoming Mac software update ahead of its public launch. Here’s what to expect.

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The free Apple Sports app for the iPhone was updated today with support for Formula 1 (F1) racing and UEFA Women's Champions League soccer.


Apple has shown increased interest in F1 racing over the past few years. The company is releasing an F1 film starring Brad Pitt in theaters on June 27, and later on Apple TV+. In addition, Apple CEO Tim Cook waved the checkered flag at an F1 race in 2022. And now, you can keep up to date with F1 race information in the Apple Sports app.

The release notes for version 2.6 of the Apple Sports app:

• Now on Apple Sports, follow UEFA Women's Champion's League as the top teams compete for the most renowned title in European soccer.

• Calling F1 fans! Follow all the excitement on the track this season with Apple Sports, including live leaderboards, lap times, and more.

Launched in February 2024, the Apple Sports app shows scores, stats, standings, upcoming games, and more for a variety of leagues, such as the NFL, MLB, MLS, NBA, NHL, Premier League, and others. The free iPhone app is available in the App Store.

The app remains limited to the U.S., the U.K., and Canada.
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The Apple Sports app keeps getting regular updates, and the latest one, version 2.6, brings two new additions to the app: F1 and the UEFA Women’s Champion’s League.

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If you live in the Austin, Texas area, you’ll soon be able to experience the magic of Apple Vision Pro at your local Lowe’s. Yes, you read that correctly: Apple’s spatial computer is coming to Lowe’s Home Improvement stores to help you visualize your new kitchen.

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Apple recently unveiled the 11th-generation iPad, introducing several small upgrades that enhance its popular predecessor. Here's everything that's new.


Arriving two and a half years after the previous model, the new ‌iPad‌ offers a modest spec bump, with no changes to design, cameras, or display technology. The new entry-level ‌iPad‌ continues to start at $349, but with double the base storage of its predecessor. All of the differences between the 10th- and 11th-generation ‌iPad‌ models are listed below:

‌iPad‌ (10th generation)	‌iPad‌ (11th generation)
A14 Bionic chip (introduced with iPhone 12 in 2020, made with TSMC's first 5nm N5 process)	A16 chip (introduced with ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro in 2022, made with TSMC's 4nm N4P process)
6-core CPU (2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores)	5-core CPU (2 performance cores and 3 efficiency cores)
11.8 billion transistors	16 billion transistors
3.0 GHz CPU clock speed	3.46 GHz CPU clock speed
16-core Neural Engine with performance of 11 trillion operations per second	16-core Neural Engine with performance of 17 trillion operations per second
4GB of memory	6GB of memory
	Display Engine
Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity	Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity
Cellular models support nano-SIM and eSIM	Cellular models support eSIM only
Smart HDR 3	Smart HDR 4
64GB or 256GB storage	128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage
Introduced in October 2022	Introduced in March 2025

With an A16 chip and 6GB of memory, the new ‌iPad‌ is markedly more powerful than its predecessor. With one less CPU core, it may be marginally less capable at multi-core tasks, but overall performance will be considerably better thanks to higher clock speeds, a newer fabrication process, improved efficiency, and additional memory.

However, neither the 10th- nor 11th-generation iPads support Apple Intelligence. The cheapest ‌iPad‌ that does support Apple's suite of AI features is the iPad mini, which starts at $499.

It is likely not worth upgrading from the 10th-generation ‌iPad‌ to the new model unless you specifically need more than 256GB of storage or a higher level of performance. Even so, these customers may be better off buying an iPad Air.

While the previous ‌iPad‌ remains capable for simple tasks like media consumption, browsing, and light productivity, its A14 chip is now five years old. Since the entry-level ‌iPad‌ is already a relatively inexpensive device compared to other Apple products, it is likely worth opting for the newer model, especially if you plan to keep it for several years.

Ultimately, the 11th-generation ‌iPad‌ is a moderate refresh of Apple's cheapest tablet, aimed primarily at those with a ninth-generation ‌iPad‌, fourth-generation ‌iPad Air‌, or older, as well as anyone who doesn't currently own an ‌iPad‌.
This article, "iPad 10 vs. iPad 11 Buyer's Guide: 10+ Differences Compared" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is set to release iOS 18.4 in early April, bringing further refinements to Apple Intelligence features, a neat new capability to iPhone 15 Pro devices, new emoji, and more.


While not quite as packed with new features as Apple's preceding iOS 18 point releases, iOS 18.4 still introduces enhancements that aim to make your iPhone smarter and more intuitive. Below, we've listed seven new things your ‌iPhone‌ will be able to do when the update rolls out next month.

Prioritize Notifications

iOS 18.4 introduces a smarter way to manage notifications with the new Prioritize Notifications feature. Initially launched as an all-or-nothing setting in beta 1, the feature in the latest beta release allows you to customize this feature on a per-app basis.

Priority notifications appear in a dedicated section on your Lock Screen, ensuring you see important alerts first. Apple Intelligence automatically determines which notifications deserve priority status, but you can still access all notifications by swiping up to view Notification Center.

Discover Vision Pro Content

If you own an Apple Vision Pro headset, iOS 18.4 will install a dedicated Vision Pro app on your iPhone. This companion app helps you discover and download content for your headset without needing to wear it.

The app features specialized sections for Immersive Video and 3D movies, plus the ability to download apps directly to your Vision Pro. There's also a My Vision Pro section that provides a user guide and helpful tips for getting the most from your device.

Apple Intelligence via Control Center

The Control Center now has a dedicated Apple Intelligence section in iOS 18.4. This new section incorporates the Type to Siri option (previously found in the now-removed Siri section) alongside new controls for activating Siri and accessing Visual Intelligence features.

Visual Intelligence via Action Button

In iOS 18.4, there's a new option that lets you configure the Action button to activate Visual Intelligence. This provides an alternative to using the Camera Control button on iPhone 16 models and enables the feature on iPhone 15 Pro devices. Visual Intelligence allows you to use your iPhone camera to learn more about places and objects around you. It can also summarize text, read text out loud, translate text, search Google for items, ask ChatGPT, and more.

Pause Downloads

A small but useful addition in iOS 18.4 is the ability to pause app downloads directly from the App Store's update list. Previously, you could only completely stop an installation from the App Store or pause it by pressing on the app icon from your Home Screen.

The new functionality works for both fresh downloads and app updates, letting you pause and resume installations with greater flexibility.

Change App Settings via Shortcuts

Power users will appreciate the numerous new Shortcuts actions for Apple apps in iOS 18.4. Most of these actions focus on changing app settings without manual navigation. For instance, Maps now supports actions for avoiding busy roads or tolls, adjusting volume, and managing directions on radio, while Safari gains actions for controlling AutoFill, blocking pop-ups, closing tabs, changing search engines, and modifying the tab bar configuration.

Additional Settings actions are available for Reminders, Calendar, Apple TV, Books, Notes, Voice Memos, and Weather apps.

Express Yourself With New Emoji

There are new emoji characters in iOS 18.4, including bags under eyes, fingerprint, leafless tree, root vegetable, harp, shovel, and splatter. The emojis are part of the Unicode 16 Standard that was released in September 2024.

Other smaller improvements coming in iOS 18.4 include one-tap options to delete or recover all photos in the Recently Deleted section of Photos, and a reorganized menu in the Wallet app that consolidates Orders, Settings, and Subscriptions and Payments options.
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When rumors about the iPhone 17 Air started circulating, it sounded a lot like an Ultra model. But as new details emerged, the Air name made more sense. Recent rumors about a different iPhone model, however, have me thinking we could get an iPhone 17 Ultra this year after all—but in a different way than expected.

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This morning’s best Apple deals are marked by the return of Amazon all-time low pricing on the latest AirPods 4 that dropped back to $100 this past weekend alongside the ANC set at $149 and the ongoing deal on AirPods Pro 2 down at $170. Next we move over to the MacBook Air – we have already detailed how to score up to $650 off the new M4 model with a trade-in, but Amazon is now delivering clearance pricing on 16GB and 24GB M3 models at up to $600 off the original price. Those offers join straight up cash deals with no trade needed on the brand-new iPad (A16) and the return of all-time low pricing on the official navy Apple Alpine Loop. All of that and more awaits below in today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break.

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Apple’s next big iPhone update will be iOS 18.4, which is in beta now and will launch publicly in early April. Before then, though, it seems the company plans to ship another, smaller update. Per 9to5Mac‘s internal visitor logs, iOS 18.3.2 is in testing now and should be coming soon for iPhone users.

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Epic Games has announced that it plans to bring Fortnite back to the iPhone and iPad in another region following a recent antitrust ruling against Apple.

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Apple employees are internally testing iOS 18.3.2 for iPhones, according to our website's visitor logs, which have been a reliable indicator of upcoming iOS versions. The software update should be released in the next week or two.


iOS 18.3.2 will be a minor update that addresses software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. Don't expect any new features.

iOS 18.3.2 will be an interim update while iOS 18.4 remains in beta testing. iOS 18.4 does not have any new Apple Intelligence features for Siri, as Apple has confirmed those features are delayed, but the update does include Priority Notifications, an Apple News+ Food section, a new Vision Pro app, and a few other changes.

iOS 18.3.2 should be released in March, while Apple confirmed that iOS 18.4 will be made available to the general public in early April.

iOS 18.3.1 was released last month, with bug fixes.
This article, "iOS 18.3.2 Update Coming Soon for iPhones" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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By this point, we’re seeing a very consistent story emerging in terms of the iPhone 17 design for each of the four models – and a new video with 3D-printed mockups helps bring those designs to life.

The designs are based on CAD drawings first shared by Majin Bu and since endorsed by two other Apple leakers …

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Apple’s M3 iPad Air , and the first reviews just dropped. Here’s a roundup of the key points you should know about the upgraded new iPad Air.

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Apple One allows you to subscribe to up to six Apple services for one discounted monthly price. There are three Apple One tiers: Individual, Family, and Premier.


Over the last month, the highest-end ‌Apple One‌ Premier plan has gained two additional perks.

Here is what Apple One Premier already included, for $37.95 per month:

• Apple Music


• Apple TV+


• Apple Arcade


• Apple News+


• Apple Fitness+


• iCloud+ with 2TB of storage

Here are the two new perks, at no extra cost:

• Apple Invites


• Apple News+ Food

Last month, Apple released a new Invites app that allows iCloud+ subscribers to create invitations for any occasion, such as birthdays, dinner parties, graduations, baby showers, and more. The app is available on the App Store for the iPhone.


Anyone can RSVP to an invite from the Apple Invites app, even if they do not have an Apple Account or an Apple device, but creating an invitation requires an iCloud+ subscription. And since iCloud+ is included with all Apple One plans, including the Premier plan, this is a new perk to take advantage of at no additional cost.

The second new perk is Apple News+ Food.

The upcoming iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 updates add a new Food section to the Apple News app on the iPhone and iPad. This section will provide Apple News+ subscribers with tens of thousands of recipes and other food-related content from well-known food-related publishers, including Allrecipes, Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Good Food, and Serious Eats.


Here is how Apple describes the new Food section:

With the new Food feature, users will be able to find stories curated by Apple News editors, as well as browse, search, and filter tens of thousands of recipes in the Recipe Catalog — with new recipes added every day. The beautifully designed recipe format makes it easy to review ingredients and directions, and a new cook mode takes step-by-step instructions to the full screen. Users can also save their favorite recipes for later and access them offline.

iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 are currently in beta. The updates will be released to the general public in April, according to Apple.

Apple News+ is available in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. It is included in the Apple One Premier plan only, so the new Food section will be another perk that comes exclusively with that tier.
This article, "Apple One's Best Plan Now Includes Two More Perks For Free" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is still discussing the possibility of making smart glasses similar to Meta's popular Ray-Ban glasses, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says that such a product wouldn't be a proper augmented reality device like Apple Vision Pro, but it would include AI, microphones, and cameras to create a "pretty good user experience."

"If Apple can bring its design prowess, offer AirPods-level audio quality and tightly integrate the glasses with the iPhone, I think the company would have a smash hit," reckons Gurman. "It's mind-boggling that Apple hasn't gotten there yet."

Apple initially wanted to create smart glasses that looked like regular glasses and had augmented reality capabilities, but Apple stopped development on the project earlier this year. Originally, Apple wanted the glasses to connect to the ‌iPhone‌, but the ‌iPhone‌ didn't have the power or battery life to support them. Apple then transitioned to using the Mac as a power source, but Apple executives weren't convinced a Mac-connected device was a good solution, leading to the shutdown of the project.

Gurman has previously reported that Apple is conducting user studies at its offices to gauge the appeal of features and interfaces, and that the company is working on a version of visionOS that will run on glasses. Codenamed "Atlas," the studies are being led by Apple's Product Systems Quality team, part of the hardware engineering division.

Apple's rationale seems to be that creating smart glasses could provide a stepping stone to developing true AR glasses, aka Apple Glass. There have been rumors about Apple's work on AR glasses for almost 10 years now, and the Vision Pro headset is what Apple built because the technology doesn't yet exist for the kind of augmented reality glasses that Apple is aiming for.

Meanwhile, Apple is still "actively developing" a product that would combine AirPods with cameras, according to Gurman. The cameras would help power AI features by gathering information on the surrounding environment, similar to the Visual Intelligence feature on supporting iPhone models.
This article, "Apple Still Exploring Smart Glasses Similar to Meta's Ray-Bans" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The new iPad Air with the M3 chip launches Wednesday. Ahead of time, the first reviews of the device have been shared by select publications and YouTube channels.


As expected, the latest iPad Air is up to 20% faster than the previous-generation model with the M2 chip. In addition, the M3 chip brings hardware-accelerated ray tracing to the iPad Air for the first time, providing improved graphics rendering in games.

A new Magic Keyboard is available for the iPad Air. It features a larger trackpad, and function keys for display brightness, volume, and more.

That's it. It's a minor spec-bump year for the iPad Air.

Below, we have rounded up some of the reviews and unboxing videos for the new iPad Air, and the updated Magic Keyboard.

Articles

• The Verge


• Engadget


• CNET


• WIRED


• Tom's Guide


• TechRadar


• MobileSyrup


• The Independent

Videos

This article, "Review Roundup: iPad Air With M3 Chip and New Magic Keyboard" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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