Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.2, the second update to the macOS Sequoia operating system that was released in September. macOS Sequoia 15.2 comes over a month after the release of macOS Sequoia 15.1.
Mac users can download the macOS Sequoia update through the Software Update section of System Settings.
macOS Sequoia 15.2 adds Image Playground, an app that lets you create images based on text descriptions. You can type in whatever you like, but Apple will suggest costumes, locations, and items that you can add to an image. You can generate images that resemble your friend and family, and you can choose a photo for Image Playground to use as inspiration.
The update also adds ChatGPT integration to Siri, which is an opt-in feature. When enabled, Siri is able to hand complicated requests over to OpenAI's ChatGPT. Siri ChatGPT can essentially do much of what the dedicated ChatGPT app can do, but with the convenience of using Siri instead of a third-party app.
ChatGPT can generate text and realistic looking images from scratch, which isn't possible with Apple Intelligence, and it can tell you what you're looking at on your screen using a screenshot.
macOS Sequoia 15.2 also adds new features to Photos and Safari, with Apple's release notes for the update available below.
This update introduces new features powered by Apple Intelligence, the personal intelligence system that unlocks powerful new ways to communicate, work, and express yourself, all while protecting your data with an extraordinary step forward for privacy in AI.
New features include Image Playground which lets you create delightful, fun images, ChatGPT support integrated right into Siri and Writing Tools, and more. This release also includes enhancements to Photos and Safari, as well as other features, bug fixes, and security updates for your Mac.
Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices.
For detailed information about the security content of this update, please visit: https://support.apple.com/100100
More information on the features that are new in macOS Sequoia can be found in our macOS Sequoia roundup.
Alongside iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2, Apple today released new HomePod Software 18.2 that's designed for the HomePod and the HomePod mini.
The new HomePod software adds support for Apple Music natural language search, which means you can describe what you want to hear in more casual language.
You can ask Siri for music using different combinations of genres, moods, activity, decades, and more. Examples include "songs about cats," "songs with a vibe," "relaxing songs," "artists similar to Taylor Swift," "sad 80s songs," and "songs about food."
The update also improves Enhance Dialogue with the Apple TV 4K to make speech clearer over background sounds.
Software version 18.2 includes bug fixes and stability improvements.
Siri on HomePod is now integrated with Apple Music natural language search so you can describe what you want to hear using any combination of categories like genre, mood, decade or activity.
Enhance Dialogue on HomePod (2nd generation) when paired with Apple TV 4K gives you the option to hear speech more clearly over background sounds using real-time audio processing and machine learning.
HomePod software is installed automatically on the HomePod unless the feature is disabled, but the HomePod can also be manually updated in the Home app by tapping on the More button, choosing Home Settings, and then selecting the Software Update option.
Apple today released visionOS 2.2, the second major update to the visionOS 2 operating system that came out in September. visionOS 2.2 comes more than a month after the launch of visionOS 2.1.
visionOS 2.2 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.
visionOS 2.2 adds new wide and ultrawide aspect ratios to the Mac Virtual Display feature, so you can have more workspace when using the Vision Pro as a display for your Mac. Apple says that the ultrawide setting is the equivalent of two 5K monitors side by side.
The update also includes Multiview for watching up to five MLS and MLB games at once, and it lets you view spatial photos and videos that are embedded on web pages. Apple's full release notes for the update are below.
Mac Virtual Display - Use Mac apps and games with a new aspect ratio: wide (21:9) and ultrawide (32:9) - the equivalent of two 5K monitors side by side - Route audio from your Mac to Apple Vision Pro
Apple TV - Watch up to five MLS and MLB games at once with Multiview - Watch live sporting events together with SharePlay
Safari - Tap to view spatial photos and videos embedded on web pages
Apple today released tvOS 18.2, the newest version of the tvOS 18 operating system that came out in September. tvOS 18.2 comes more than a month after Apple released tvOS 18.1, and it is available for the Apple TV 4K and the Apple TV HD models.
tvOS 18.2 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 18.2 automatically.
tvOS 18.2 adds a selection of new Snoopy screen savers that are available as an alternative to the aerial, memory, and portrait screen saver options, plus it includes natural language search support for Siri for looking for movies, music, and TV shows.
The update also includes an option that lets the Apple TV automatically detect the best aspect ratio for a television or projector, along with new aspect ratios for projectors. Options include 16:9, 21:9, 2.37:1, 2.39:1, 2.40:1, DCI 4K, and 32:9.
Apple shares full release notes for tvOS in its tvOS support document, which is updated after each new version of tvOS comes out.
Apple today released watchOS 11.2, the second major update to the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 11.2 comes more than a month after Apple released watchOS 11.1. watchOS 11.2 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, all Apple Watch Ultra models, and the Apple Watch SE 2.
watchOS 11.2 can be downloaded on an iPhone running iOS 18.2 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.
According to Apple's release notes, watchOS 11.2 lets you pause video that you're recording on the iPhone using the Camera Remote app on Apple Watch. Apple's full notes are below.
This update includes improvements for your Apple Watch, including:
- Tides app expands map support for tidal conditions and coastal locations in China - Camera Remote app can pause recording of iPhone video
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/100100
Apple recently announced that iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 will be released today, following more than six weeks of beta testing. These software updates make Apple Intelligence available in localized English spoken in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the U.K., and South Africa, meaning the features are formally launching in those countries for the first time. Until now, using Apple Intelligence internationally required setting the iPhone's device and Siri language to U.S. English.
Apple Intelligence is currently compatible with the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, all four iPhone 16 models, any Mac with an M-series chip, any iPad with an M-series chip, and the latest iPad mini model with the A17 Pro chip.
On the iPhone, the first Apple Intelligence features debuted in U.S. English as part of iOS 18.1, with key features including writing tools for summarizing and proofreading text, suggested replies in the Messages and Mail apps, notification summaries, and more. iOS 18.2 adds additional Apple Intelligence features, including Genmoji for creating custom emoji, Image Playground for generating images, ChatGPT integration for Siri, and more. Exclusive to iPhone 16 models running iOS 18.2 is a new Visual Intelligence feature that allows you to quickly identify real-world things around you using the Camera Control button.
Apple Intelligence will continue to expand, with support for English (India), English (Singapore), French, German, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese set to roll out throughout 2025. And more features will debut next year, such as on-screen awareness and deeper per-app controls for Siri, likely as part of iOS 18.4 in April. And with iOS 19.4 in 2026, Siri is expected to become more conversational, like ChatGPT.
Apple's Vision Pro headset has been named 2024's innovation of the year by Popular Science.
Popular Science's annual list of the 50 greatest innovations celebrates groundbreaking achievements in science and technology, and this year, Apple's Vision Pro earned the top spot. According to Popular Science, the device represents a pivotal moment in AR innovation, providing a glimpse of the future of immersive computing.
The Vision Pro boasts a 23-million-pixel display system, delivering over 4K resolution to each eye. External cameras on the headset capture a live feed of the user's surroundings, blending the digital and physical worlds in real-time. The absence of traditional controllers or physical buttons further distinguishes the Vision Pro from its competitors, as users interact with its interface using hand gestures, eye tracking, and voice commands. Popular Science noted that these features make it "something different, important, and honestly pretty amazing."
The publication acknowledged some of the headset's hurdles, including its "massive $3,500 price tag," but emphasized its potential to drive future innovation in the AR space:
While AR headsets have existed before, this one gets our award because of how much potential it shows. It's part of Apple's overall hardware plan. The new iPhone cameras have a specific arrangement to shoot spatial video for consumption in AR. Familiar apps can offer augmented experiences specifically meant for headsets. We expect the next version of the hardware will skip the creepy image of your eyes that shows up on the exterior screen. Still, we're curious to see what Apple does next, because a consumer-friendly price on an experience like this could be a true game changer.
Other innovations highlighted by Popular Science this year include the Oura Ring 4, Sony A9 III mirrorless camera, Boox Palma e-ink smartphone, and LG Signature OLED T TV. See the full list for more information.
Apple this "past summer" canceled the development of a high-performance Mac chip that would have consisted of four smaller chips stitched together, in order to free up engineering resources for a planned AI server chip, according to The Information.
Based on the report's description of the chip, it sounds like Apple has canceled a previously-rumored "Extreme" chip for the Mac. It was previously reported that an "M2 Extreme" chip was scrapped a few years ago, but perhaps Apple had revisited the idea since then. In any case, it now sounds like an "M4 Extreme" chip is also unlikely.
Apple likely would have introduced the "M4 Extreme" in its high-end Mac Pro tower. The chip would have offered even faster performance than the M4 Ultra chip that is expected to launch in new Mac Studio and Mac Pro models later next year.
If the "M4 Extreme" were to have been a quadrupled version of the M4 Max chip that debuted in the MacBook Pro a few months ago, it would have had massive specifications, including up to a 64-core CPU and up to a 160-core GPU.
While the "Extreme" chip may be off the table once again, it seems like Apple has repeatedly shown interest in developing such a chip, so perhaps it will eventually materialize as part of the M5 series or later. For now, though, the wait continues.
Update: After this story was published, Daring Fireball's John Gruber made a good point about how there is a long, multi-year gap between Apple designing and shipping new chips. Accordingly, it is possible the latest chip canceled actually would have been an "M5 Extreme" chip or later if development was only recently ended.
Developers now have access to cloud-based M4 and M4 Pro Mac mini units via MacWeb, a Silicon Valley-based provider of cloud services.
The company has launched three configurations of the new Mac mini, powered by Apple's M4 and M4 Pro chips. Developers and IT teams can rent these machines for tasks ranging from basic development to advanced artificial intelligence modeling, providing an efficient and scalable infrastructure option without the need to purchase expensive hardware outright. A new Mac mini can range from $599 for a base M4 model to $1,999 for a high-end M4 Pro model with 64GB of unified memory.
The three configurations include the MacWeb Base M4 at $99 per month, the MacWeb Power M4 Pro at $199 per month, and the MacWeb Ultimate M4 Pro at $299 per month. The Base M4, featuring the standard M4 chip, is designed for virtual desktops and small-scale tasks. The Power M4 Pro includes a 12-core CPU and 24GB of unified memory, making it suitable for application development and testing. The Ultimate M4 Pro, MacWeb's most advanced tier, offers a 14-core CPU, a 20-core GPU, and 64GB of unified memory, capable of handling intensive workloads such as AI model training and mission-critical applications.
MacWeb touts the potential of its M4 Pro configurations to support advanced networking capabilities using Thunderbolt 5. According to the company, Thunderbolt 5 delivers 80 Gbps of bi-directional bandwidth, a performance leap described as being up to 800 percent faster than 10G Ethernet. This apparently enables seamless clustering of Mac minis, allowing users to pool resources for distributed computing tasks, including video editing and large-scale software testing.
Companies like AWS has offered similar services in recent years, but MacWeb's integration of Apple's latest Mac hardware positions it at the forefront of the market, along with MacStadium. MacWeb has retained its M2-based offerings for developers with less demanding performance requirements.
As we get further into December, it's becoming increasingly hard to find all-time low discounts on Apple products that also have guaranteed Christmas delivery. One of the few devices that still falls under both of these conditions is the Apple Watch Series 10, which remains at best-ever Black Friday prices on Amazon for multiple 42mm and 46mm GPS models.
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.
You'll find $69 off both 42mm and 46mm GPS Series 10 models in multiple case colors and band styles, all requiring an on-page coupon in order to see the discount at checkout. Every price listed below is a match of the record low prices we saw for Black Friday. If you've been eyeing an Apple Watch Series 10 as a present, now will be the time to purchase one at these record low prices.
Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.
If you're also shopping for a few new Apple Watch bands, Woot is hosting a big sale this week on Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop bands. You'll find Solo Loop bands at $19.99 ($29 off) and Braided Solo Loop bands at $29.99 ($69 off) during this event, making them both the lowest we've ever tracked for each style in brand new condition.
Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
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Apple Intelligence servers are currently powered by the M2 Ultra chip, and they are expected to start using M4 series chips next year. In an eventual move away from Mac chips for server use, The Information today reported that Apple is developing a new server chip that will offer even faster performance for AI features.
The report said the new chip contains "many duplicates" of Apple's Neural Engine, so it sounds like it will offer turbocharged performance for AI processing.
At least a trio of companies are believed to be involved with the chip. Apple is said to be handling the overall design of the chip, while Broadcom is said to be providing some networking technology for it. TSMC is expected to begin mass production of the chip in 2026, using its third-generation 3nm process, known as N3P. That is the same process expected to be used for the A19 chips in the iPhone 17 models next year.
The chip will likely power some Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-based generation, such as Image Playground, according to the report:
Apple will likely use the new AI chip it is developing for inference, where the chip processes new data—such as a user describing a possible image—and applies them to the models to generate an output, like producing the image itself.
More on Broadcom's involvement, from the report:
Like Google, Apple is relying on Broadcom for technology to network or link the chips together so they can work in unison to compute data more quickly. That technology has been one of the key drivers of AI development, making it possible to compute the massive amounts of data required to train and run LLMs. Networking technology is one of Broadcom's key strengths.
Apple has announced that iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 will be released today with additional Apple Intelligence features, including Genmoji, Image Playground, Image Wand, and ChatGPT integration for Siri. There is also a new Visual Intelligence feature on all iPhone 16 models that allows you to quickly identify things in the real world using the Camera Control button on those devices. As part of Apple Intelligence, Siri will gain features like on-screen awareness and deeper per-app controls, likely starting with iOS 18.4. And with iOS 19.4 in 2026, Siri is expected to become more conversational like ChatGPT.
Back in September as part of the iPhone 16 launch, Apple's Beats brand surprisingly launched cases for new iPhone lineup, available in four colors and featuring MagSafe and Camera Control support.
Beats today is expanding its case lineup with two additional colors, Sunrise Pink and Twilight Blue, with the new cases including the iconic Beats logo in the center of the rear rather than the MagSafe alignment guides seen on the original versions.
The cases are made of a polycarbonate back with flexible sidewalls for shock absorption, and they feature a glossy scratch-resistant exterior coating and a soft microfiber interior. Camera Control support is enabled via a sapphire crystal button coupled to a conductive layer to transmit finger movements to the button on the phone.
The two new colors of cases are available for all four models in the iPhone 16 lineup, and are priced at $49. They're available through Apple's online store starting today, and will be at Apple Store retail locations starting tomorrow.
Amazon this week has brought back a low price for the Apple Pencil Pro, available for $99.00, down from $129.00. Alongside this deal, we're tracking a collection of Apple accessory discounts, including great deals on the Magic Keyboard and MagSafe Charger.
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.
Apple Pencil Pro
Deals on the Apple Pencil Pro have been very rare throughout the past few weeks, and they never last long. So, although this isn't an all-time low price, it's still a great deal and potentially your last chance to get the accessory at a discount before Christmas.
Update: As expected, the Apple Pencil Pro deal has quickly expired, but the other deals below remain available.
Amazon is also discounting Apple's AirTag 4-Pack to $72.99 this week, down from $99.00. This is just about $3 higher when compared to the all-time low price and it's still a great deal on the accessory, with guaranteed Christmas delivery.
Moving to the new 2024 Magic Keyboard, you can get the 11-inch model in Black for $249.99, down from $299.00. This is an all-time low price on the accessory and it can still be delivered in time for Christmas on Amazon.
Amazon introduced a few deals on Apple's new lineup of MagSafe Chargers this week. You can get the 1-meter model for $29.99 and 2-meter model for $34.99, both representing solid second-best prices on the accessory.
The new MagSafe Chargers provide overall faster charging speeds with compatible iPhone models. When paired with a 30W power adapter, iPhone 16 models can charge at up to 25W wirelessly over MagSafe, which is 10W faster than a regular non-MagSafe Qi2 wireless charger.
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.
There were 45 finalists across 12 categories, and 17 winners were ultimately selected. Apple said the awards recognize developers who delivered the "highest levels of user experience, design, and innovation" on the App Store this year.
"We are thrilled to honor this impressive group of developers who are harnessing the power of Apple devices and technology to deliver experiences that enrich the lives of users and have a profound impact on their communities," said Apple CEO Tim Cook. "The remarkable achievements of this year's winners demonstrate the incredible ingenuity that can be unlocked through apps."
Kino was released earlier this year by Lux, the makers of the popular iPhone camera app Halide.
Some apps also received Cultural Impact awards for the lasting impact they had on people and communities this year, according to Apple. All of this year's winners and more details about the apps can be found in Apple's press release.
In iOS 18.2, which Apple is releasing today, Apple's new Genmoji feature lets you create personalized emoji that aim to perfectly match what you want to express, going far beyond the limitations of standard Unicode emoji. Want an emoji of a break-dancing astronaut or a dog playing bagpipes? With Genmoji, you can make it happen.
Unlike standard emoji that are fixed Unicode characters, Genmoji are dynamically generated using on-device AI. They work seamlessly in text, appearing as inline emoji characters in supported apps like Messages and Notes. You can even create Genmoji based on people in your Photos app, making them more personal and expressive.
Requirements and Availability
Genmoji is available in the iOS 18.2 update, which Apple is releasing on December 11, 2024. The feature also requires Apple Intelligence, which is limited to iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max and iPhone 16 series models. Apple Intelligence does not currently work in the EU.
Even with a compatible device in a supported region, you'll need to join a waitlist for Apple Intelligence features like image creation (Settings ➝ Apple Intelligence & Siri). Apple will notify you when access is granted. Note that Apple Intelligence is only available when your iPhone and Siri are set to the same language.
Apple Intelligence is available in English (US) in most regions around the world, while iOS 18.2 adds Apple Intelligence support for English (Australia), English (Canada), English (Ireland), English (New Zealand), English (South Africa) and English (UK).
Compatibility
While Genmoji work best between iOS 18.2 devices, they're also viewable on devices running iOS/iPadOS 18.1 and later, as well as Macs running macOS Sequoia 15.1 and later.
On older Apple devices or Android phones, Genmoji appear as regular images rather than inline emoji characters. Third-party apps need to specifically add Genmoji support to enable creation and proper display of these custom emoji.
Creating Custom Emoji in Messages
In Messages, start a conversation or choose an existing one.
Tap the emoji symbol in the bottom-left corner of the keyboard.
In the emoji search field, describe your desired emoji (alternatively, tap the colored smiling emoji at the far right, then enter your description).
Tap Create New Emoji.
On the New Genmoji screen, wait a moment for the amorphous blob to transform into your new emoji.
When the navigational symbols appear below the emoji, swipe left to preview alternative versions of your creation.
Tap the ellipsis button to add a caption to your emoji or save it as a sticker. You can also provide feedback to Apple using the thumbs up/down buttons.
Tap Add when you're happy with your selection, then tap the blue arrow button to send your new Genmoji.
With Genmoji, emoji finally become as limitless as your imagination. Having said that, Apple does maintain content restrictions similar to Image Playground to keep things appropriate. Regardless, once you start creating custom emoji, you might find standard emoji feeling a bit limited in comparison.
Apple has announced that iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 will be released today following more than six weeks of beta testing.
For the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, the update introduces additional Apple Intelligence features, including Genmoji for creating custom emoji, Image Playground and Image Wand for generating images, and ChatGPT integration for Siri. There is also a new Visual Intelligence feature on all iPhone 16 models that allows you to quickly identify things in the real world using the Camera Control button on those devices.
Apple's full release notes for iOS 18.2 are below.
Apple Intelligence (All iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max)
Image Playground - A new app that lets you use concepts, descriptions, and people from your photo library to create fun, playful images in multiple styles - Swipe through previews and choose from as you add concepts to your playground - Choose from animation and illustration styles when creating your image - Create images in Messages and Freeform, as well as third party apps - Images are synced in your Image Playground library across all your devices with iCloud
Genmoji - Genmoji allows you to create a custom emoji right from the keyboard - Genmoji are synced in your sticker drawer across all your devices with iCloud
ChatGPT support - ChatGPT from OpenAI can be accessed right from Siri or Writing Tools - Compose in Writing Tools allows you to create something from scratch with ChatGPT - Siri can tap into ChatGPT when relevant to provide you an answer - A ChatGPT account is not required and your requests will be anonymous and won't be used to train OpenAI's models - Sign in with ChatGPT to access your account benefits, and requests will be covered by OpenAI's data policies
- Image Wand turns sketches and handwritten or typed notes into images in Notes - Describe your change in Writing Tools allows you to suggest how you'd like something rewritten, for example as a poem - Camera Control (iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max) - Visual Intelligence with Camera Control helps you instantly learn about places or interact with information simply by pointing your iPhone at the object, with the option to tap into Google Search or ChatGPT - Camera Control two-stage shutter lets you lock focus and exposure in Camera when light pressing the Camera Control
Mail - Mail Categorization sorts your messages to help you prioritize the most important messages - Digest view groups all of the messages from one sender into a single bundle for easy browsing
Photos - Video viewing improvements, including the ability to scrub frame-by-frame and a setting to turn off auto-looping video playback - Improvements when navigating Collections views, including the ability to swipe right to go back to the previous view - Recently Viewed and Recently Shared album history can be cleared - Favorites album appears in the Utilities collection in addition to Pinned Collections
Safari - New background images to customize your Safari Start Page - Import and Export enables you to export your browsing data from Safari and import browsing data from another app into Safari - HTTPS Priority upgrades URLs to HTTPS whenever possible - File Download Live Activity shows the progress of a file download in the Dynamic Island and on your home screen
This update also includes the following improvements and bug fixes: - Voice Memos supports layered recording, letting you add vocals over an existing song idea without the need for headphones -- then import your two-track projects directly into Logic Pro (iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max) - Share Item Location in Find My helps you locate and recover misplaced items by easily and securely sharing the location of an AirTag or Find My network accessory with trusted third parties, such as airlines - Natural language search in Apple Music and Apple TV app lets you describe what you're looking for using any combination of categories like genres, moods, actors, decades, and more - Favorite Categories in Podcasts allows you to choose your favorite categories and get relevant show recommendations that you can easily access in your Library - Personalized Search page in Podcasts highlights the most relevant categories and editorially curated collections tailored to you - Sudoku for News+ Puzzles provided in three difficulty levels and available for News+ subscribers - Support for the Hearing Test feature on AirPods Pro 2 in Cyprus, Czechia, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Romania, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom - Support for the Hearing Aid feature on AirPods Pro 2 in United Arab Emirates - Pre-market price quotes in Stocks lets you track NASDAQ and NYSE tickers prior to market open - Fixes an issue where recently captured photos do not appear immediately in the All Photos grid - Fixes an issue where Night mode photos in Camera could appear degraded when capturing long exposures (iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max)
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 this website: https://support.apple.com/100100
When released, iOS 18.2 will be available in the Settings app under General → Software Update.
TP-Link has launched a new Smart In-Wall Outlet under its Tapo brand, bundling Matter support and a feature that lets users monitor the energy usage of connected devices.
The Tapo P210M includes overcharge protection, meaning when connected devices are fully charged, the outlet switches off. The 15A/1800W outlet also features Power Protection, which automatically turns off devices when the power exceeds a user-specified threshold.
The aforementioned energy monitoring is accessed via the Tapo app, providing tracking of the outlet's energy use through stats and charts. Users can save money on their bills by scheduling devices to turn off during periods of inactivity. Note that this dual-socket model also has manual on/off buttons for each outlet.
The all-important Matter support over Wi-Fi eliminates the need for an additional hub, but a controller is necessary. In Apple Home terms, that equates to an Apple TV 4K (2021 and 2022 models), HomePod (both generations), or HomePod mini.
The Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Outlet retails at $30, but it is currently listed as on sale at Amazon.com, with a 33% discount bringing the price below $20.
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.
Microsoft has announced that Teams for iPad now supports external cameras, allowing users with older devices to hook up better-quality webcams during Teams calls.
With iPadOS 17, Apple added support for connecting external cameras to iPads with a USB-C port, and Microsoft has just got around to leveraging the feature for users who want to benefit from higher resolution, better dynamic range, and the ability to adjust angles when videoconferencing.
Thanks to Microsoft's implementation, connecting a camera for use in Teams couldn't be simpler. Plug your external camera into your iPad's USB-C port either before or during your Teams meeting, and the app will automatically select it for use on the call. To switch back to your iPad's built-in camera, simply disconnect the external one.
The plug and play simplicity of the support does mean that there are currently no native or Teams controls to manually switch between your iPad's internal camera and an external one. For now at least, Teams will default to the connected external camera whenever one is plugged in.
Microsoft says most webcams that work over a USB-C connection are supported, so finding a compatible model shouldn't be an issue.
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.
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.
