In macOS Sequoia, Apple requires users to regularly reauthorize permissions for screen recording apps, a change that has not been popular with some Mac app users. During the beta testing process, these reminders came up weekly, but later in the beta, Apple changed those reminders to monthly.
If you're someone who prefers not to get these reminders for screen recording apps at all, you can use the Amnesia app for the Mac to get rid of them. The app basically changes the .plist file for the screen capture app access feature, and it's a pay what you want situation.
Those comfortable with tweaking plists themselves using the Terminal app can follow instructions shared by Jeff Johnson, known for Stop The Madness. Both Amnesia and the command line version of the fix require disabling reminders on an app by app basis, but it's a little more straightforward to do with the Amnesia app.
Note that Amnesia works on macOS Sequoia 15, but there is not yet a version for macOS Sequoia 15.1, so if you're running the beta, you'll need to wait for an update. The update is expected later today.
YouTube is raising the cost of its Premium plan in multiple countries around the world, with the new pricing surfacing over the weekend (via Android Authority). Prices are up in Europe, South America, and and some countries in Asia and the Middle East.
Price hikes are being tracked over on Reddit, and so far customers in the following countries are being warned about higher prices: Belgium, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates.
The biggest single plan price increase is in Norway, where prices are up 42 percent. YouTube Premium in Norway used to cost approximately $11.33 per month, but now it is just over $16. In Sweden, the family plan now costs $27.38 per month, up from $17.57. On average, single person plans have increased 18 percent, while family plans are up 43 percent.
Many YouTube Premium customers affected by the price changes have said on Reddit that they plan to cancel given the significant increases to family plans.
YouTube Premium pricing has not increased in the United States, Canada, or other countries. In the U.S., the standard plan is $13.99 per month, and a family plan is $22.99 per month.
Apple today stopped signing iOS 17.6.1 and iPadOS 17.6.1 for all devices except the latest-generation iPad Pro models with the M4 chip.
Apple routinely stops signing older iOS releases over time in order to prevent users from downgrading to an outdated software version. iOS 17.6.1 no longer being signed comes one week after Apple released iOS 18 to the public.
Just three days after their official launch, Apple's AirPods 4 earbuds both with and without Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) have received their first discounts at Amazon, knocking $10 off their regular prices. The higher-tier model with ANC is down to $169.00, while the cheaper model without ANC is now available for $118.00.
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In addition to ANC-related features like Adaptive Audio, Transparency, and Conversation Awareness, the higher-tier AirPods 4 also add wireless charging capabilities and a speaker for Find My to the AirPods case.
The two models of the AirPods 4 launched this month as successors to the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3, offering a more comfortable fit, an H2 chip supporting improved audio capabilities, dust resistance, and more.
Amazon also still has the AirPods Pro 2 at a heavily discounted price of $189.99, but if you prefer the open-ear design of the regular AirPods, this is your first opportunity to save a few dollars. The higher-tier model represents the first time ANC has been offered outside of the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max options, making them an appealing option for some customers.
Update 5:10 pm: In addition to the higher-tier model, Amazon has now also discounted the lower-tier AirPods 4 model.
Apple is working behind the scenes to get ready to introduce Hearing Assistance functionality to the AirPods Pro 2. The latest iOS 18.1 beta does not have the feature enabled at the current time, but it is hidden in the update and Apple could potentially activate it in a future iOS 18.1 beta.
We were able to access the hidden AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Assistance feature set in the fifth iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 betas, and we tested it out.
When Hearing Assistance launches, users will be prompted to take a hearing test or upload an audiogram from an audiologist. Apple says the results will be used to turn on a hearing aid feature for those with mild to moderate hearing loss, but for all users, it can be used to make sound adjustments to improve music, video, and call clarity.
The test takes approximately five minutes to complete, and it prompts users to tap the screen each time they hear a tone. The AirPods Pro 2 are only recommended for mild to moderate hearing loss, and those with more serious hearing loss likely won't be able to use the Hearing Aid feature.
After the hearing test, users will have the option to turn on the Hearing Aid option if it is required. Hearing Aid adjusts the voices and sounds around the user to account for the tones and frequencies that are not able to be heard.
Apple has already received FDA authorization for the AirPods Pro 2 to function as an over-the-counter hearing aid, and it could be rolled out at any time. Apple has said the feature will come out this fall, so it would make sense for it to be introduced in a future iOS 18.1 beta.
With macOS 15.1 and iOS 18.1 beta 5, Apple has enabled drag and drop, a much anticipated iPhone Mirroring feature. After updating to the new software, you can drag files from an iPhone to a Mac and vice versa.
iPhone Mirroring makes it simple to move files from one device to another because it works even when the iPhone is locked and charging. To use the feature, update to the fifth macOS 15.1 and iOS 18.1 betas and then activate iPhone Mirroring.
From there, if you drag a file like a photo from Mac to the open Photos app on the iPhone, it'll transfer over. If you want to transfer a PDF, just open the Files app and then drag the PDF from the Mac to the iPhone. Dragging a file from iPhone to Mac works in much the same way, you simply drag it over where you want it.
The new iPhone Mirroring feature is active in the developer beta now, and public beta testers should be able to try it out later this week. iOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1 are expected to see a public launch in October.
With the fifth beta of iOS 18.1, Apple has made a small tweak to the Camera Control button that was introduced on the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
When you dig into the Camera Control settings, there is now a way to set it to the front-facing camera without having to interact with the iPhone's display.
To get to the selfie camera, open up the Camera app with a press on the Camera Control button, and then use a swipe gesture on the button to scroll through the lenses. The person icon at the very top swaps to the front-facing selfie camera.
Note that if you have Camera Control set to a different setting, you will need to open up the Camera app, activate Camera Control, and then tap on the screen to swap tools. The selfie camera and lens options are under the "Cameras" heading. The last tool you used will be the tool Camera Control opens with.
Prior to iOS 18.1, you could use this gesture to swipe through the different lens options, like 0.5x, 1x, 2x, and 5x (Pro only), but now it also includes the selfie camera to make it easier to get to all of the available lens options.
In the fifth beta of iOS 18.1, Apple has made some changes to the new customizable Control Center, refining it ahead of when iOS 18.1 is set to come out in October.
In the Control Center section of the Settings app, there is now an option to return to the default setup. If you make a bunch of confusing changes to Control Center and don't want to go through the trouble of moving everything around, you can now use the reset option to get back to the default options that Apple provides when installing iOS 18.
Apple has also added separate Control Center connectivity controls for Wi-Fi and VPN connectivity. In prior versions of iOS 18, these controls were baked into an all-in-one connectivity button, but now they can be added to the Control Center. The new Wi-Fi and VPN options cannot be added to the Lock Screen or the Action Button.
Almost all connectivity controls can now be added individually, including Airplane Mode, Cellular Data, Personal Hotspot, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and VPN. AirDrop and Satellite are not available as standalone controls.
Apple today provided developers with the fourth betas of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 to continue testing Apple Intelligence features. The fifth betas come a week after Apple seeded the fourth iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 betas.
The updates can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update. Note that Apple Intelligence features still an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 to run.
Apple Intelligence includes Writing Tools that are available wherever text can be selected and edited, and it can be used for spell checking, fixing grammar, rewriting with a new tone, and summarizing text.
Siri has a new design with a subtle glow around the display, and there is a Type to Siri feature so you don't have to speak to Siri. Siri can follow along if you stumble over your words, and can maintain context between requests. Safari can summarize articles, and there's a new Reduce Interruptions Focus Mode.
Smart replies are available in Messages and Mail, plus the Mail app surfaces time sensitive messages and puts them at the top of your inbox. Photos has a Memory Movie feature for creating slideshows based on text descriptions, and you can record, transcribe, and summarize phone calls. Transcription and summarization are also available for any audio recording.
The update also includes phone call recording and transcription on all devices, plus it adds the option to take spatial photos on the iPhone 15 Pro models.
Apple today provided developers with the fifth beta of an upcoming macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta, with the new update coming a week after Apple released the fourth 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 15.1 introduces the first Apple Intelligence features, adding support for Writing Tools, new Siri features, Smart Replies in Mail and Messages, Priority messages in the Mail app, Memory Movie and Clean Up in Photos, and more.
Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming watchOS 11.1 update to developers for testing purposes. The second beta comes a week after Apple released the first watchOS 11.1 beta alongside iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 betas.
To install the watchOS 11.1 update, developers need to open the Apple Watch app, go to the Software Update section under "General" in Settings, and toggle on the watchOS 11 Developer Beta. An Apple ID linked to a developer account is required.
Once beta updates have been activated, watchOS 11.1 can be downloaded under the same Software Update section. To install software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life and it must be placed on an Apple Watch charger.
It's not yet clear what new features are included in the watchOS 11.1 update at this time, as the update primarily focuses on Apple Intelligence, and Apple Intelligence features are not available on watchOS.
Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming visionOS 2.1 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new software coming a week after Apple seeded the first visionOS 2.1 beta.
Registered developers are able to opt into the betas by opening up the Settings app on their device, going to the Software Update Section, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option, and toggling on the Developer Beta. Note that an Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.
There's no word yet on what's included in visionOS 2.1, but there are visionOS 2 features that Apple has not yet released, such as the option to use a larger ultrawide screen for the Mac Virtual Display and support for Multiview for MLS and MLB games.
Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming tvOS 18.1 beta to developers for testing purposes, with the new software coming a week after Apple seeded the first tvOS 18.1 beta.
Registered developers are able to download the tvOS 18.1 update by opting in to the beta through the Settings app on the Apple TV. A registered developer account is required.
tvOS software releases are usually minor in scale compared to other operating system updates, focusing primarily on smaller improvements rather than outward-facing changes. We don't know what's included in tvOS 18.1
Apple shares some information on tvOS releases in its tvOS support document, which is updated after each tvOS launch, but Apple does not provide notes during beta testing.
Though we don't always know what's new in tvOS betas, we let MacRumors readers know when new updates are available so those who are developers can download new software upon release.
Apple today added three Mac models to its vintage products list, and moved an additional nine Mac models from the vintage list to its obsolete products list.
The following Macs are now classified as vintage:
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, 2 Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, 4 Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
The following Macs are now classified as obsolete:
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, 2 Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, 4 Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015)
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2015)
iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015)
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
Apple considers a device to be "vintage" once more than five years have passed since the company stopped distributing it for sale. Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers can continue to offer repairs for vintage products for up to two additional years, but only if Apple still has repair parts available for the device.
Apple considers a device to be "obsolete" once more than seven years have passed since the company stopped distributing it for sale. Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers typically do not repair obsolete products, but MacBook battery replacements may remain available for up to 10 years after the device was last distributed.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro are Apple's newest iPhones and follow last year's iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, but how different are the two latest models, and what exactly does a "Pro" device offer?
Last year, the biggest new differences between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro were the titanium frame, A17 Pro chip, and Action button. With iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, both devices share new features like the A18 chip with support for Apple Intelligence, faster charging, stronger Ceramic Shield front glass, revamped Photographic Styles, the Camera Control, and Wi-Fi 7, but Apple's "Pro" and non-Pro iPhone models are still fairly different devices.
Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two iPhone models is best for you, and serves as a way to clearly see what additional features and upgrades the iPhone 16 Pro brings to the table.
Available in Black, White, Pink, Teal, and Ultramarine finishes
Available in Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Desert Titanium finishes
A18 chip
A18 Pro chip
"Advanced" dual-camera system
"Pro" triple camera system
48-megapixel Fusion main camera with ƒ/1.6 aperture
48-megapixel Fusion main camera with ƒ/1.78 aperture and larger sensor
12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera with ƒ/2.2 aperture
48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera with ƒ/2.2 aperture
Macro photography
48-megapixel macro photography
Support for new JPEG-XL format
Depth mapping for AR and portrait photography, allowing for more accurate background and subject separation, more realistic bokeh, and better AR experiences.
4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps, with playback speed controls
4K Dolby Vision video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps, 100 fps (Fusion) or 120 fps (Fusion)
1080p Dolby Vision video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps
1080p Dolby Vision video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps, or 120 fps (Fusion)
ProRes video recording up to 4K at up to 120 fps with external recording
Slo-mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps
Slo-mo video support for 1080p up to 240 fps and 4K Dolby Vision up to 120 fps (Fusion)
Shoot and instantly transfer 48-megapixel ProRAW images to Mac via USB 3
Record video directly to an external drive
ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30 fps (60 fps with external recording)
Log video recording
Academy Color Encoding System
USB 2 transfer speeds (up to 480Mb/s)
USB 3 transfer speeds (up to 10Gb/s, 20x faster)
DisplayPort support for up to 4K HDR video output
iPhone 16: Up to 22 hours of battery life iPhone 16 Plus: Up to 27 hours of battery life
iPhone 16 Pro: Up to 27 hours of battery life iPhone 16 Pro Max: Up to 33 hours of battery life
128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options (no 128GB on Pro Max)
iPhone 16: Starts at $799 iPhone 16 Plus: Starts at $899
iPhone 16 Pro: Starts at $999 iPhone 16 Pro Max: Starts at $1,199
The iPhone 16 Pro offers a large number of upgrades over the standard iPhone 16. With just $200 difference to obtain a display with ProMotion and always-on functionality, a telephoto camera, and longer battery life, many customers will be able to justify getting the iPhone 16 Pro over the iPhone 16. Other differences, such as a titanium frame, slightly larger display sizes, the A18 Pro chip, and a 1TB storage option are notable, but most significant are perhaps the devices' fundamentally different rear camera setups. The iPhone 16 Pro unlocks many additional camera features, such as ProRAW and 48-megapixel macro photography, and benefits from an entire additional camera in the form of the 5x telephoto for a additional optical focal length option. Due to the scale and breadth of the iPhone 16 Pro's improvements and features, many customers will be happy to opt for the high-end model.
The standard iPhone 16 still offers many of the iPhone 16 Pro's most compelling capabilities, such as Apple Intelligence support, the Camera Control, USB-C, Dynamic Island, and a 48-megapixel Fusion camera, at a lower price point. With a generous roster of advanced features, most customers will be happy with the iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Plus, especially those who want a lighter device, do not care for the "Pro" rear camera setup or features like ProMotion and the always-on display, or cannot justify the $200 to upgrade to the high-end model. The iPhone 16 is a very well designed and balanced device, especially for average customers and those coming from a much older model.
Apple's Beats brand is known for its celebrity partnerships, and this release is no exception as the latest Studio Pro color was highlighted over the weekend in a tweet featuring Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Similar to the Kim Kardashian colors, the Beats Studio Pro in Matte White come with a color-matched nylon case, whereas the original four colors all come with a black nylon case.
The Beats Studio Pro headphones are officially priced at $349.99, but they are frequently available at significant discounts and the new Matte White color is already on sale for $100 off at $249.95, joining the original four colors at this discounted price. The Beats x Kim colors are currently priced at $349.99, but they too have seen occasional discounts.
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Over the weekend, well-known repair website iFixit shared an iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus teardown video, and an accompanying blog post. Notably, the video shows Apple's new electrical battery removal process in action on the standard iPhone 16.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus batteries have an innovative type of adhesive that can be easily loosened with low-voltage electrical current, such as from a 9V battery. The steps involved include attaching alligator clips to a 9V battery, connecting the red/positive clip to the silver tab on the iPhone's battery, and connecting the black/negative clip to the lower-right grounding screw on the iPhone's bottom speaker module. After up to 90 seconds, the adhesive should debond and the battery can then be easily taken out of the iPhone.
iFixit described this new process as "revolutionary," and explained how it works:
Imagine an Oreo cookie with a thick layer of double-stuf creme. You figured out that if you dip just the bottom cookie in some milk and twist the cookie apart, the filling will always stick to the top cookie.
Similarly, when we zap the adhesive, the current oxidizes the negative/anode mating surface and loosens the adhesive from it. The adhesive "filling" between the battery and the frame will then stick to whichever surface that’s connected to the positive terminal.
In an email, iFixit said the iPhone 16 is "the most-repairable iPhone yet":
We're giving the phone a laudable 7 out of 10 repairability score (provisional, pending Apple's release of parts). It's not the Fairphone, but Apple's made some important strides in improving hardware repairability, and ending parts pairing restrictions for harvested OEM parts is a huge boon for the repair community.
Only the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus use this new process. iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max batteries still have stretch-release adhesive pull tabs.
iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, and iPhone 16 Pro Max batteries still have a black foil enclosure, while the iPhone 16 Pro battery has moved to a metal enclosure, which increases repair safety and likely contributes to improved heat dissipation.
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