During today's earnings call covering the first fiscal quarter of 2025, Apple CEO Tim Cook was asked about whether he felt there was room for form factor innovation in future iPhone models, with the question hinting perhaps spurred by rumors of the upcoming
"iPhone 17 Air."


Cook often declines to provide insight into future products during earnings calls, but he did give an encouraging answer. "I think there's a lot more to come," Cook said. "I could not feel more optimistic about our product pipeline."

Cook went on to say that there is indeed room for change in the ‌iPhone‌ lineup. "I think there's a lot of innovation left on the smartphone," said Cook.

Rumors suggest that Apple is designing a super thin version of the ‌iPhone‌ that will replace the "Plus" model in the series. The device is expected to be between 5mm and 6mm thick, which would make it the thinnest ‌iPhone‌ to date.

In a separate question, Cook was asked whether the super thin design of the 12.9-inch M4 iPad Pro was driving iPad revenue, but Cook said that wasn't the case. It's the iPad Air and the ‌iPad‌ that were responsible for the 15 percent revenue growth the ‌iPad‌ category saw during the holiday quarter.

That's not a surprise given the high price of the ‌iPad Pro‌. Rumors have been split on how much Apple's super thin ‌iPhone‌ will cost, but it is expected to be less expensive than the Pro models. Apple will focus on design, with the device set to use a lower powered chip than the Pro models and a single-lens camera.
This article, "Apple CEO Tim Cook: There's a 'Lot of Innovation' Left for Future iPhone Development" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

There are more than 2.35 billion active iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other Apple devices worldwide, Apple CEO Tim Cook said today in the earnings call covering the first fiscal quarter of 2025.


2.35 billion active devices is a new record for Apple. Apple last shared its active install base numbers in February 2024, when the company had 2.2 billion active devices worldwide.

Apple did not provide numbers for individual devices, but Apple has long had more than a billion active iPhones worldwide.
This article, "Apple Now Has More Than 2.35 Billion Active Devices Worldwide" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple held discussions with X (formerly Twitter) about once again showing ads on the social media site, reports The Wall Street Journal. The talks are said to have taken place "in recent weeks."


In an attempt to maintain a relationship with X, Apple was one of the companies that did not pause ad buying when Elon Musk took over the company, but Apple did stop its ad buying in 2023 after Musk made antisemitic comments and there was evidence that Apple ads were being shown alongside pro-Hitler content.

Given that Musk just recently made a hand gesture that was widely interpreted as a Nazi salute at Donald Trump's inauguration, Apple's decision to resume purchasing ads on X could be perceived as ill-advised.

Musk is, however, a close Trump advisor and deeply involved with the Trump administration, so he could influence Trump's decisions concerning tech companies like Apple. Apple CEO Tim Cook donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration and also attended the event, and other tech CEOs and companies have been plying the administration with funds. Apple did not donate.

The Wall Street Journal says that several major companies are reevaluating their stance on advertising on X. Amazon plans to up its ad spending as well, and the boost in advertising could help X with some of its debt. In January, Musk said that user growth was stagnant, revenue was "unimpressive," and that the company was "barely breaking even."
This article, "Apple Might Start Buying Ads on X Again" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Mac apps can often go under the radar, with apps for the iPhone and iPad receiving more attention. For that reason, we have a Mac-focused video series that highlights useful Mac apps we've come across. Our first picks of the year are largely simple, one-task apps that add utility to your Mac.

• Ice Menu Bar Manager (Free) - Ice is a menu bar management tool that's an alternative to Bartender. Last year, Bartender was quietly acquired by a less than trustworthy company, and many no longer want to use it. Ice has a rich feature set. You can rearrange menu bar apps, change the look of the menu bar with colors, hide cruft, and more.


• DropOver ($5.99)- DropOver is a simple macOS app that enhances the Mac's Drag and Drop functionality. You can grab multiple files and move them around without opening side-by-side windows. You activate DropOver with a shake of the cursor, add items to a "shelf" and then you can move to your destination folder and unload them.


• Latest (Free) - Latest is a super simple app that checks to ensure that your apps are up to date. It supports apps that use the Mac App Store and those that use Sparkle for updates, which is a good deal of the Mac apps out there.


• NotchNook ($25) - NotchNook turns your Mac's notch into a little Mac version of a Dynamic Island. You can click into it and get shortcuts like a media player, the Calendar, quick notes, and more, plus it has drag and drop functionality that makes it easy to move files and send them using AirDrop. It's $25, or $3 per month.


• Shortwave (Free, but unlocking more features costs $7/month) - Shortwave is yet another email app, but it uses AI in a helpful way. It organizes your inbox to surface what's most important, it can create to-dos for you, add labels, archive unimportant email threads, search for content, alert you to emails that still need a response, and more. You can also use AI to summarize emails and get writing help, with the AI able to respond in your own voice based on past email correspondence. This is not a bare bones email app, so note that it can take some time to get used to. This is a subscription app and it starts at $7 per month, paid annually.


• Local Send (Free) - If you need to share content between an iOS device or Mac and an Android device or a Windows PC, you can do so with Local Send. This is great if you're not entirely in the Apple ecosystem, because AirDrop doesn't work on non-Apple devices.


• Hyperduck ($4) - With Hyperduck, you can share links between your Macs, iPhones, and iPads with more control than AirDrop. You can, for example, save a webpage on your ‌iPhone‌ and have it open up later on your Mac, even if your Mac isn't turned on when you first save the website.


• Rocket (Free) - Rocket is another simple, one-function app that lets you add emojis in any app. Press on the colon key and then start typing in the emoji that you want. It's free to use, but a pro version adds options for adding GIFs and images.

Know of a great Mac app that we haven't highlighted yet? Let us know in the comments below and we might feature it in a future video. For more of our Mac app picks, check out our Mac apps archive.
This article, "Eight Useful Mac Apps Worth Checking Out" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Google today started rolling out a new experimental "Ask for Me" feature that's available as part of Search Labs. Google Search users can take advantage of AI to make calls to businesses for information like pricing and availability.


As of now, Google is testing the experimental feature with auto shops and nail salons, and it is designed to prevent users from having to place calls themselves. Businesses can opt out of the AI-based calls, and the feature does disclose that AI is being used at the beginning of a call.

To use Ask for Me, Google Search users can opt-in to Search Labs and then search for a phrase like "oil change near me" or "manicure near me" to test it out. There are capacity limits in place, so there could be a waitlist before a call can be placed.


Google says that the feature uses some of the underlying technology used for making restaurant reservations through the Google Search and Google Maps apps.
This article, "Google's New 'Ask for Me' Search Feature Uses AI to Make Calls" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

On January 27, Apple released iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3, which means we're now ready for a new round of beta testing. The next betas are rumored to have important new Siri Apple Intelligence features, so when can we expect the software?


There are typically few pauses between beta updates, and Apple often seeds a new beta just a day or two after new software comes out. That's not always the case, though, and sometimes we're left waiting for a couple of weeks. With significant features coming in iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.4, there's a possibility that there could be a delay before the betas are introduced.

In past years, there have also been some .4 updates with key features, and historical release cycles can give us some insight into when we might see the .4 betas this year.

• iOS 17.3 release to iOS 17.4 beta - 3 days


• iOS 16.3 release to iOS 16.4 beta - 24 days


• iOS 15.3 release to iOS 15.4 beta - 1 day


• iOS 14.3 release to iOS 14.4 beta - 2 days


• iOS 13.3 release to iOS 13.4 beta - 57 days

Expected iOS 18.4 Features

Given that we're still waiting on some of the ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features that Apple announced at WWDC in June, and that Apple has already mentioned that some new capabilities will be coming in April, it's not too hard to figure out what could be included in iOS 18.4.

Apple Intelligence

Apple plans to add new functionality to ‌Siri‌, which should make ‌Siri‌ more capable.

‌Siri‌ Personal Context

‌Siri‌ will be able to keep track of your emails, messages, files, photos, and more, learning more about you to help you complete tasks and keep track of what you've been sent.

• Show me the files Eric sent me last week.


• Find the email where Eric mentioned ice skating.


• Find the books that Eric recommended to me.


• Where's the recipe that Eric sent me?


• What's my passport number?

‌Siri‌ Onscreen Awareness

‌Siri‌ will be able to tell what's on your screen and complete actions involving whatever you're looking at. If someone texts you an address, for example, you can tell ‌Siri‌ to add it to their contact card. Or if you're looking at a photo and want to send it to someone, you can ask ‌Siri‌ to do it for you.

This is separate from the feature where you can have ‌Siri‌ capture a screenshot and send it to ChatGPT.

Deeper App Integration with ‌Siri‌

‌Siri‌ will be able to do more in and across apps, performing actions and completing tasks that are just not possible with the personal assistant right now. We don't have a full picture of what ‌Siri‌ will be capable of, but Apple has provided a few examples of what to expect.

• Moving files from one app to another.


• Editing a photo and then sending it to someone.


• Get directions and also sharing the ETA with someone at the same time.


• Sending an email draft.

More Countries

Apple is planning to expand ‌Apple Intelligence‌ to additional countries, with the feature set to be available in languages that include English (India), English (Singapore), Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Emoji

Apple's .4 updates typically introduce new emoji characters. Right now, we're waiting on the Unicode 16 emoji, which includes face with bags under eyes, fingerprint, leafless tree, root vegetable, harp, shovel, and splatter.

Digital Markets Act Changes in EU

iPhone users in the European Union may get the option to change their default navigation and translate apps as Apple is planning to add support for this functionality in spring 2025.

iOS 18.4 Release Date

After a beta testing period that spans through March, Apple will likely release iOS 18.4 in April. Previously, the company said that ‌Apple Intelligence‌ will be available in new languages in an update coming in April 2025, which aligns with the iOS 18.4 testing period and subsequent launch date.
This article, "When Will Apple Release the iOS 18.4 Beta?" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Pay now supports Citi Flex Pay, allowing U.S. Citi credit card holders to pay for ‌Apple Pay‌ purchases over time with the Flex Pay option.


Citi Flex Pay is available for ‌Apple Pay‌ purchases over $75. The default payback period is three months, but there are longer payback durations available with a monthly fee. Flex Pay can be used when making purchases on websites or in apps.

To use Citi Flex Pay, an eligible Citi credit card needs to be added to ‌Apple Pay‌. When making a purchase, select the Citi credit card and then tap on "Pay Later." From there, select a Citi Flex Pay option.

Apple previously had its own buy now, pay later service called ‌Apple Pay‌ Later, but it was discontinued last year. Apple now partners with third-party providers for pay over time options. Apple's other U.S. partners include Affirm, Klarna, and Synchrony.
This article, "Apple Pay Gains Support for Citi Monthly Payment Plans" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

As of iOS 18.3, T-Mobile subscribers with a compatible iPhone and Starlink beta access are able to connect to Starlink satellites, reports Bloomberg. Apple quietly worked with SpaceX and T-Mobile to add support for Starlink to its ‌iPhone‌ lineup, and T-Mobile's website confirms the new integration.


T-Mobile announced a partnership with Starlink in 2022, and in December 2024, the carrier opened up a beta program allowing subscribers to use Starlink satellites for texting in areas without cell towers. At the time, the T-Mobile Starlink beta program was limited to Samsung smartphones, and iPhones weren't supported.

Following the release of iOS 18.3, T-Mobile has invited a small number of ‌iPhone‌ users to take advantage of the Starlink beta, and those users have a new toggle to enable the satellite connectivity feature. T-Mobile customers who were selected received the following message:

You're in the T-Mobile Starlink beta. You can now stay connected with texting via satellite from virtually anywhere. To start experiencing coverage beyond, please update to iOS 18.3.

With Starlink integration, a T-Mobile ‌iPhone‌ without T-Mobile cellular service available will be able to pair automatically with Starlink satellites for connectivity. Starlink is limited to texting at the current time, but T-Mobile and SpaceX plan to support data and voice in the future.

Apple did not respond to Bloomberg's request for comment on the feature, but T-Mobile said that Starlink connectivity will eventually be available on the "vast majority of modern smartphones."

The iPhone 14 and later already support satellite connectivity for text messages through Apple's partnership with Globalstar, so ‌iPhone‌ users who are able to use Starlink can also opt to text with Apple's built-in satellite service. Both Apple's service and Starlink are only available when there is no nearby cellular network.

Starlink beta access is limited right now, but T-Mobile eventually plans to expand the beta test to additional subscribers. T-Mobile customers can sign up to join the beta on the T-Mobile website. Starlink is only available in the U.S., and it is free during T-Mobile's beta testing period.
This article, "iOS 18.3 Adds Starlink Support to T-Mobile iPhones" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

The upcoming iPhone SE 4 will feature a notch instead of the Dynamic Island, respected display analyst Ross Young said today. The device will have a "notch like the iPhone 14," according to Young, which contradicts a recent leak that depicted a ‌Dynamic Island‌.


Earlier this month, leaker Evan Blass shared images said to feature the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4's design, but those images featured an iPhone with a ‌Dynamic Island‌ rather than the notch that had been previously rumored for new low-cost ‌iPhone‌. A sketchy leak from February 2024 also suggested that the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 would get the ‌Dynamic Island‌, but most other information has suggested that Apple will go with the notch design.

Multiple rumors have indicated that the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 is modeled after the ‌iPhone 14‌, and will therefore have an ‌iPhone‌ 14-style design. The ‌iPhone 14‌ had a notch and not a ‌Dynamic Island‌, so the notch makes more sense if Apple is using an ‌iPhone 14‌ body for the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4. Alleged screen protectors for the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 also appear to have a design for a notch rather than the ‌Dynamic Island‌.

Image via Sonny Dickson

With the launch of the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4, Apple will sunset Touch ID in the ‌iPhone‌ lineup, and all iPhones will have Face ID. The ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 is also expected to feature a 6.1-inch display, a single-lens rear camera, 8GB RAM, and an A17 Pro chip capable of supporting Apple Intelligence.

Current rumors suggest that the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 will be introduced in the spring, likely in April.
This article, "iPhone SE 4 to Have Notch Instead of Dynamic Island" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Samsung just recently announced the Galaxy S25 Ultra, its latest flagship smartphone that's designed to compete with the iPhone. We did a hands-on video last week, but this week we're back with an in-depth camera comparison.


In this article and our accompanying video, we've included blind photos from the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max so you can judge for yourself which smartphone camera you prefer, but we'll let you know which is which at the very end of the video.


The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max has a 50-megapixel Main lens (which is wide angle), a 12-megapixel Ultra Wide lens, and a 12-megapixel Telephoto lens. In sheer specs, Samsung wins because the S25 Ultra has a quad camera setup with a 200-megapixel wide lens, a 50-megapixel ultra wide lens, a 50 megapixel telephoto lens, and an extra 10-megapixel telephoto lens. The extra telephoto lens allows for more versatility with different optical zoom options.


Adding more megapixels lets you crop in more and it can preserve detail when doing so, but smartphone cameras these days are advanced enough that you're going to get fantastic pictures regardless of whether you have an ‌iPhone‌ or a Samsung device.


That said, there are notable differences in under-the-hood processing techniques, plus some areas where Apple has an edge and some areas where Samsung excels.


The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max simply cannot compete with the Galaxy S25 on optical and software-enhanced digital zoom. The Galaxy S25 has 5x optical zoom like the ‌iPhone‌, but 10x "optical quality" zoom that uses AI, and it works well.


Further, Samsung has a 100x zoom feature that's been getting better every year. Apple's digital zoom is limited to 25x, and there's so much noise that 25x images are unusable, but Samsung's comparable 30x images look decent.


Comparing zoomed in photos is where you'll see the biggest difference between the S25 Ultra and the 16 Pro Max.


When it comes to everyday photos, there are some areas where the S25 Ultra struggled. Low-light and night photos in particular showed some significant light flare and blur, and the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max performed better in these scenarios. Apple's image processing tends to be high contrast with vivid color, and that's clear here. Shots from the S25 Ultra tend to be a little more washed out, but which you like better is a matter of preference.


Portraits were similar with both smartphones, and both did a good job separating the subject from the background and applying attractive blur.


To match the ‌iPhone‌'s video recording capabilities, Samsung added a new LOG video recording mode for pros, along with an Expert RAW mode that lets you adjust aperture before capturing a shot. Apple still has an edge when it comes to video, including stabilization.


Make sure to watch the video to see which smartphone is which, and let us know in the comments below whether you prefer the images from the Galaxy S25 Ultra or the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Samsung. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
This article, "Camera Comparison: iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

There are two new speculative execution attacks that impact recent Apple chips, according to data shared today by Georgia Tech students that discovered the vulnerabilities.


Named SLAP and FLOP, the two security flaws could allow an attacker to use a malicious webpage to spy on the contents of other webpages, giving attackers remote access to browsing history, credit card data, emails, location information, and more. Physical access to a device is not required, and the attack can be executed through a malicious site that bypasses Apple's browser protections.

Several Apple A-series and M-series chips are affected, including the M2 and later and the A15 and later, which are in the following devices:

• 2022 and later Mac notebooks


• 2023 and later Mac desktops


• 2021 and later iPad models


• 2021 and later iPhones

SLAP and FLOP were disclosed to Apple in May 2024 and September 2024, respectively, and while the attacks have not yet been patched, the researchers who reported the issue were told that Apple plans to address the vulnerabilities in an upcoming security update.

Apple told Bleeping Computer that it has not yet patched the flaws. "We want to thank the researchers for their collaboration as this proof of concept advances our understanding of these types of threats," Apple said. "Based on our analysis, we do not believe this issue poses an immediate risk to our users."

SLAP affects Safari, while FLOP affects Safari and Chrome. Other browsers like Firefox could be affected too, but have not been tested. There is no evidence that SLAP and FLOP have been executed in the wild.

Details on how SLAP and FLOP work can be found on the website dedicated to explaining the vulnerabilities.
This article, "Apple to Patch Web Browser Vulnerabilities Affecting Recent Macs, iPads and iPhones" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

CVS is testing a new feature that is designed to allow iPhone and Android users to unlock product cabinets to retrieve an item without the need to summon an employee, reports The Wall Street Journal (via The Verge).


Many stores like CVS use locked cabinets for items that are often shoplifted, cutting down on retail theft. Locking items up, though, inconveniences shoppers because an employee has to be summoned to retrieve items for customers. CVS Health's chief technology officer Tilak Mandadi told The Wall Street Journal that people "really, really dislike locked cabinets," which is why the chain is testing a new procedure.

CVS shoppers who have the CVS app (with CVS account), activate Bluetooth, and connect to in-store Wi-Fi can unlock locked product cabinets with an ‌iPhone‌.

CVS is testing the smartphone-based product unlocking in three of its retail locations, but it will soon be expanded to 10 to 15 stores. If the trial is successful, CVS plans to roll it out to all retail locations.
This article, "CVS Tests Letting iPhone Users Unlock Product Cabinets Without an Employee" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple is continuing to promote the Beats Pill speaker, today sharing a new Valentine's Day-themed short ad that uses the cute anthropomorphized "Pill People" characters to highlight battery life.


The spot features the red Beats Pill holding up a be mine sign and playing music in a Say Anything-esque scene. The white Beats Pill walks by and asks how long the red Beats Pill has been outside playing music. "17 hours," replies the speaker, before an end tag comes up that points out the device's 24-hour battery life.

"Nobody ❤️s a 24-hour battery life like we do. And did you know 2 Beats Pills can be paired together for increased volume? Sounds like a sign to us," reads the ad's description.

Apple's Beats brand introduced the new version of the Beats Pill in June of last year, after the prior Pill+ version was discontinued in early 2022. The updated Beats Pill is priced at $150 and it offers a redesigned speaker system, a removable lanyard for portability, USB-C charging, IP67 water resistance, and 24 hours of battery life.
This article, "Apple Promotes Beats Pill With Valentine's Day-Themed Ad" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

iOS 18.3 is the third major update to the iOS 18 operating system, and while it isn't as feature rich as iOS 18.1 or iOS 18.2, there are some Apple Intelligence changes worth knowing about, as well as as some other tweaks, bug fixes, and security updates.


This guide covers everything new in iOS 18.3.

Apple Intelligence

After updating to iOS 18.3, ‌Apple Intelligence‌ is an opt-out feature, not an opt-in feature. If you didn't have ‌Apple Intelligence‌ turned on, it's now turned on automatically, and you will need to go to the ‌Apple Intelligence‌ section of the Settings app to turn it off.


‌Apple Intelligence‌ will also be automatically enabled on devices running iPadOS 18.3 and macOS Sequoia 15.3.

‌Apple Intelligence‌ is available on the iPhone 15 Pro models, iPhone 16 Pro models, the iPad mini 7, and all Macs and iPads with an M-series chip. On these devices, ‌Apple Intelligence‌ is now turned on automatically when iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, or ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.3 is installed. In prior updates, you had to explicitly turn ‌Apple Intelligence‌ on to be able to use the feature set.

Visual Intelligence

For iPhone 16 models, there are new Visual Intelligence features that are accessible with Camera Control.


You can now use ‌Visual Intelligence‌ to add an event to the Calendar app, or to identify plants and animals.

Apple Intelligence Notification Summaries

iOS 18.3 makes several changes to ‌Apple Intelligence‌ Notification summaries to address complaints over notifications that have false news headlines.

Notification summaries for the News and Entertainment category have been temporarily disabled, and Apple is working on improvements. The feature will return in a future software update, but for now, these types of notifications will not be aggregated and summarized.


In the Settings app, when a user activates Notification summaries, Apple has added a warning that this is a beta feature, and that errors are a possibility.


For summaries that are still available through ‌‌Apple Intelligence‌‌, the text is italicized as a way to distinguish them from standard notifications.


Apple also added an option to manage whether notifications are summarized for an app right from the Lock Screen. To turn off summaries from the Lock Screen, swipe to the left on a Notification summary and then tap on options to get to the menu to disable it on a per-app basis.

Calculator

Apple made a change to the Calculator app, returning a feature that was removed with ‌iOS 18‌. You can once again tap the equals sign twice to repeat the last mathematical operation.


Apple removed repeating operations in ‌iOS 18‌, but it's back. Some iPhone owners who used the Calculator app for things like calculating compound interest will now be able to do so again.

Black Unity Wallpaper

The update adds a new wallpaper to go along with a new watch face and new Apple Watch band that were announced today.

Bug Fixes

There are fixes for a couple of notable bugs.

• Siri Keyboard - The update addresses a bug that could cause the keyboard to disappear after you typed in a Siri request with the Type to ‌Siri‌ feature.


• Apple Music - iOS 18.3 fixes a bug that could cause audio playback to continue even after the Apple Music app is closed.

Security Updates

iOS 18.3 fixes 25 security vulnerabilities, including one that was actively exploited. A CoreMedia vulnerability could be used to elevate privileges, and Apple is aware of reports that it may have been used on devices running iOS 17.1 or earlier.

A Photos vulnerability could allow an attacker with physical access to an unlocked device to access the ‌Photos‌ app even when the ‌iPhone‌ is locked, and Apple fixed several issues with AirPlay that could allow attackers to execute code or crash apps.

Two kernel vulnerabilities that could let malicious apps gain kernel privileges were addressed, and there are a handful of WebKit fixes for Safari. Given the number of security holes that were patched, it's a good idea to install the software to get the latest fixes.
This article, "iOS 18.3 Features: Everything New in iOS 18.3" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

With today's watchOS 11.3 update, Apple accidentally broke watchOS updates for some older Apple Watch models, according to information circulating on social networks.


For Apple Watch models that are unable to be updated to watchOS 11, such as the Apple Watch Series 4 and Series 5, there is an unintended bug that prevents some of them from installing the latest version of watchOS 10, watchOS 10.6.1.


An Apple Watch that was not running watchOS 10.6.1 prior to the release of watchOS 11.3 and iOS 18.3 is now unable to have the watchOS 10.6.1 update installed. So an Apple Watch SE 1, Series 4, or Series 5 owner running an older version of watchOS cannot install watchOS 10.6.1 at the current time.

Further, some Apple Watch models running earlier versions of watchOS 10 cannot be paired to an iPhone.

This issue only applies to Apple Watch models that are limited to watchOS 10, and it is further only applicable to those not already running watchOS 10.6.1, an update that came out last August. Apple will likely fix this issue in the near future.

(Thanks, lunotech11!)

Update: Apple appears to have addressed this issue.
This article, "Apple Breaks watchOS Updates On Older Apple Watch Models [Update: Fixed]" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Marvel Snap, a popular game that was caught up in the TikTok ban, returned to the App Store today and it is once again available for download.


The game was published by TikTok parent company ByteDance, which led to its removal from the ‌App Store‌ when a law banning ByteDance apps from being distributed in the U.S. went into effect on January 19.

Marvel Snap creators Second Dinner said on January 19 that the removal of the app and a simultaneous gameplay outage came as a surprise. The developers went to work getting the app reinstated, and promised to find a new publisher to prevent any further issues.

The game was back up and running as of January 20, and on January 24, Second Dinner said that Marvel Snap would return to the ‌App Store‌ as soon as this week. Along with re-adding Marvel Snap to the ‌App Store‌, Apple removed Marvel Snap from its list of ByteDance apps that are not being distributed in the U.S. at the current time. Second Dinner has not yet provided details on the situation with ByteDance, or if it has secured a new publisher.

To make up for the downtime, Marvel Snap players in the United States are being provided with extra experience and in-game rewards.

The January 19 TikTok ban affected several other apps that are affiliated with ByteDance, including TikTok, TikTok Studio, TikTok Shop Seller Center, CapCut, Lemon8, Hypic, Lark - Team Collaboration, Lark - Rooms Display, Lark Rooms Controller, and Gauth: AI Study Companion.

All of these apps are still unavailable in the ‌App Store‌ in the United States, but are accessible for those who already downloaded the titles. U.S. President Donald Trump gave ByteDance a reprieve by ordering the DoJ to hold off on any enforcement of the law for 90 days, but as the law is still in place, Apple is required to comply. If Apple were to continue to distribute TikTok, it would be violating the law and could be punished after the 90-day period.

If you already have these apps installed on your device, they will remain on your device. But they can't be redownloaded if deleted or restored if you move to a new device. In-app purchases and new subscriptions are no longer possible.

Users in the United States won't receive updates for these apps, which could potentially impact performance, security, and compatibility with future versions of iOS and iPadOS, and some app functions might become limited or stop working since the app can't receive updates.

It is not clear what will happen with TikTok and the other ByteDance apps. The law requires ByteDance to divest TikTok, giving control of the app over to an American company. Trump is reportedly discussing the sale of TikTok with "many people," and current rumors suggest that Oracle and a group of investors could take over the app.
This article, "Marvel Snap Returns to App Store After TikTok-Related Ban" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple regularly releases new firmware for the AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max, but the company has historically provided limited information on how to initiate an update. That changed today, and Apple updated its AirPods firmware support page with more specific instructions.


Prior to today, here's what Apple said on the subject:

Firmware updates are delivered automatically while your AirPods are charging and in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac that's connected to Wi-Fi . You can also use your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to check that your AirPods have the latest version.

Apple still has that same information, but now it's accompanied by step-by-step instructions on how to force an update, including troubleshooting steps if your AirPods won't update.

1. Make sure that your AirPods are in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac that's connected to Wi-Fi.


2. Put your AirPods in their charging case and close the lid.


3. Plug the charging cable into your charging case, then plug the other end of the cable into a USB charger or port.


4. Keep the lid of the charging case closed, and wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware to update.


5. Open the lid of the charging case to reconnect your AirPods to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.


6. Check the firmware version again.

If you still can't update your firmware, reset your AirPods, then try to update your firmware again.

This process was generally already known, but the specific steps for charging via a cable and the 30 minute+ wait time remove any ambiguity on how to get new firmware installed.
This article, "Apple Finally Explains How to Install New Firmware on Your AirPods" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Along with new features, the iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3 updates that Apple released today include multiple security fixes, including a fix for vulnerability that may have been actively exploited on some devices.


According to Apple's security support document, there was a CoreMedia bug that could be used to elevate privileges. Apple says that it is aware of a report that the bug could have been actively exploited against versions of iOS before iOS 17.2. Apple fixed the issue with improved memory management.

Apple also addressed over 20 other vulnerabilities. One could allow an attacker with physical access to an unlocked device to access the Photos app even when an iPhone is locked, and there were several issues with AirPlay that could allow attackers to execute code or crash apps.

Two kernel vulnerabilities could let malicious apps gain kernel privileges, and there were a handful of WebKit fixes for Safari.

Because of the number of security issues fixed in the update, it is a good idea to update to the new software right away.

watchOS 11.3 and tvOS 18.3 also have a number of security fixes, so those updates should be installed as well. If you have macOS Sonoma or Ventura, Apple has released macOS 14.7.3 and macOS Ventura 13.7.3 with security improvements.
This article, "Update Now: iOS 18.3 and macOS Sequoia 15.3 Include 20+ Security Updates" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today released iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, the third major updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 software that came out last year. iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 come six weeks after Apple released iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2.


The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iPadOS 17.7.4 for iPads that aren't able to run ‌iPadOS 18‌.

For iPhone 16 models, iOS 18.3 adds Visual Intelligence support for adding events to the Calendar app and identifying plants and animals. The update removes Apple Intelligence Notification summaries for news and entertainment apps in an effort to prevent misleading alerts, plus it italicizes all summaries done by ‌Apple Intelligence‌.

There are also several bug fixes, and a change to the Calculator app. Apple's release notes are below.

Visual intelligence with Camera Control (All iPhone 16 models)
- Add an event to Calendar from a poster or flyer
- Easily identify plants and animals

Notification summaries (All iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max)
- Easily manage settings for notification summaries from the Lock Screen
- Updated style for summarized notifications better distinguishes them from other notifications by using italicized text as well as the glyph
- Notification summaries for News & Entertainment apps are temporarily unavailable, and users who opt-in will see them again when the feature becomes available

This update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes: - Calculator repeats the last mathematical operation when you tap the equals sign again
- Fixes an issue where the keyboard might disappear when initiating a typed Siri request
- Resolves an issue where audio playback continues until the song ends even after closing Apple Music

Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit:
https://support.apple.com/100100

We are expecting iOS 18.3 to be followed with an iOS 18.4 beta that includes new ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features for Siri.
This article, "Apple Releases iOS 18.3 With Visual Intelligence and Notification Summary Improvements" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.3, the third major update to the ‌macOS Sequoia‌ operating system that launched in September. ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.3 comes six weeks after the launch of macOS Sequoia 15.2.


Mac users can download the ‌‌‌macOS Sequoia‌‌‌ update through the Software Update section of System Settings. It is available for free on all Macs able to run macOS 15. Apple has also released macOS 14.7.3 and macOS 13.7.3 with security fixes for older Macs.

‌macOS Sequoia‌ brings Genmoji to Macs that support Apple Intelligence, which means it's now possible to create custom emoji characters using the Messages app.

The update also removes Notification summaries for news and entertainment apps to prevent misleading ‌Apple Intelligence‌ headline summaries. Apple's release notes for the update are below.

This update introduces Genmoji, powered by Apple Intelligence, and also includes other enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your Mac.
- Genmoji creation in Messages and other apps
- Calculator repeats the last mathematical operation when you click the equals sign again
- Easily manage settings for notification summaries from the Lock Screen (Mac with Apple silicon)
- Updated style for summarized notifications better distinguishes them from other notifications by using italicized text as well as the glyph (Mac with Apple silicon)
- Notification summaries for News & Entertainment apps are temporarily unavailable, and users who opt-in will see them again when the feature becomes available (Mac with Apple silicon)
Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices.
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit: https://support.apple.com/100100

More information on what's new in ‌macOS Sequoia‌ can be found in our macOS Sequoia roundup.
This article, "Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.3 With Genmoji" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today released visionOS 2.3, the third update to the visionOS 2 operating system that came out in September. visionOS 2.3 comes over a month after the launch of visionOS 2.2, and almost a year after the release of the Vision Pro headset.


visionOS 2.3 can be downloaded on all Vision Pro headsets by navigating to the Settings app, selecting the General section, and choosing the Software Update option.

To install an update, the Vision Pro headset needs to be removed, and there is a software progress bar available on the front EyeSight display.

According to Apple's release notes, visionOS 2.3 includes bug fixes and security updates, and the software is recommended for all users.

More information on the Vision Pro and ‌visionOS 2‌ can be found in our roundup.
This article, "Apple Releases visionOS 2.3" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today released watchOS 11.3, the third major update to the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 11.3 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, all Apple Watch Ultra models, and the Apple Watch SE 2.


watchOS 11.3 can be downloaded on an iPhone running iOS 18.3 by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery and it needs to be placed on a charger.

The watchOS 11.3 update introduces a new Black Unity watch face for the Apple Watch, which is designed to match a new band that came out today. According to Apple, the new watch face and band are "inspired by the rhythm of humanity," with Black creatives and allies at Apple collaborating on the designs.

More of the features available in watchOS 11 can be found in our watchOS 11 roundup.
This article, "Apple Releases watchOS 11.3 With New Black Unity Watch Face" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today released tvOS 18.3, the newest version of the tvOS 18 operating system that came out in September. tvOS 18.3 comes more than a month after Apple released tvOS 18.2, and it is available for the Apple TV 4K and the ‌Apple TV‌ HD models.


tvOS 18.3 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌‌Apple TV‌‌. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software. ‌‌Apple TV‌‌ owners who have automatic software updates activated will be upgraded to tvOS 18.3 automatically.

There were no notable new features found during the tvOS 18.3 beta testing period, but the update adds a new notice about digital movie and TV show sales.

Apple shares full release notes for tvOS in its tvOS support document, which is updated after each new version of tvOS comes out.

Apple has also released a new version of the HomePod Software 18.3 for the ‌HomePod‌ and HomePod mini. ‌HomePod‌ software is based on tvOS.
This article, "Apple Releases tvOS 18.3" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums