Amazon today has a big sale on the 24-inch M3 iMac, including both 256GB and 512GB models. All of these deals match the all-time low Prime Day prices we tracked last week, and you won't need any coupon codes to see them this time around.
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.
Starting with the 8-core GPU/256GB M3 iMac, this model is available for $1,149.00 in two colors, down from $1,299.00. Amazon also has the 10-core GPU/256GB M3 iMac on sale for $1,349.00, down from $1,499.00. This one is also available in two colors.
Lastly, the 10-core GPU/512GB M3 iMac has hit $1,549.00 in just one color, down from $1,699.00. All of Amazon's deals today are record low prices on the M3 iMac, and right now only Amazon is offering these steep discounts.
Apple launched the M3 iMac back in October 2023, bringing significant speed and efficiency improvements with the upgrade from the M1 to the M3 chip. Otherwise, there are no major design changes to the newest iMac model. Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) this week announced that it has started upgrading its payment readers with support for Apple Pay with Express Mode. This feature allows transit users to pay for their fare by tapping their iPhone or Apple Watch near the reader, without needing to unlock or wake the device.
The upgrades began rolling out on Monday across select SEPTA Metro stations and buses in the Greater Philadelphia area, according to the announcement.
Express Mode for SEPTA is limited to credit and debit cards added to the Wallet app. It is still not possible to add the SEPTA Key fare card to the Wallet app, and Express Mode does not support SEPTA's discounted weekly or monthly passes.
EyeSight is designed to reduce social isolation in VR by making the user's eyes visible to others on an external display. Meta's patent, titled "Embedded Sensors in Immersive Reality Headset to Enable Social Presence," suggests that the company is considering this kind of functionality for its own devices.
EyeSight uses a scan of the user's face to create a virtual image of their eyes on an external display, thereby maintaining a semblance of eye contact and interaction with others in the real world. Apple says that EyeSight "reveals your eyes on the front of your Apple Vision Pro, and lets those nearby know when you're using apps or are fully immersed in an experience."
Meta's approach involves a method for updating a user's avatar in real-time using facial expressions detected by sensors embedded in the headset. These sensors capture signals indicative of facial muscle movements, which are then interpreted using a machine learning algorithm to determine the user's facial expression. The system adjusts the user's avatar accordingly and integrates it into an immersive reality application.
The headset in this embodiment includes various sensors, such as ECG (electrocardiogram), EEG (electroencephalogram), and PPG (photoplethysmogram), which not only track facial movements but also monitor the user's cardiovascular health. The integration of health-related functionalities distinguishes Meta's approach from Apple's EyeSight, which primarily focuses on displaying a virtual image of the user's eyes to maintain a connection with the real world.
Meta's decision to file the patent seemingly indicates its recognition of the value in Apple's EyeSight feature, despite the mixed reviews it has received. While some critics have found the feature unnecessary and predict it could be dropped in future models, its introduction highlights a broader industry trend towards enhancing social presence when using headset devices.
Electric automaker Rivian has no plans to introduce support for Apple CarPlay in its vehicles, founder and CEO RJ Scaringe says.
The company's stance was explained in a recent interview with The Verge's Nilay Patel on the "Decoder" podcast. Scaringe emphasized that Rivian's desire to create a seamless and well-integrated digital experience is the primary reason for not adopting CarPlay. He likened the decision to Apple choosing to develop iOS and macOS instead of using Microsoft's Windows operating system, stating, "There is a reason that ironically is very consistent with Apple ethos for us to want to control the ecosystem."
Apple CarPlay was introduced in 2014 and allows iPhone users to mirror some of their phone's features on a car's infotainment system, providing access to Siri, navigation, and some apps in a familiar interface. It has become a popular feature in many vehicles, with a significant number of consumers considering it a critical factor in purchasing decisions.
Rivian's rejection of CarPlay stems from a desire to maintain control over the entire user experience within its vehicles. Scaringe highlighted that CarPlay's inability to "leverage other parts of the vehicle experience" would necessitate users to exit the app for certain functions, such as opening the front trunk. He explained, "We have taken the view of the digital experience in the vehicle wants to feel consistent and holistically harmonious across every touchpoint."
The decision to exclude CarPlay is seen as part of Rivian's broader strategy to control the "digital real estate" within its vehicles. Scaringe stated, "We just believe that it is such an important piece of real estate, the digital ecosystem, that it was something we want to retain."
He also acknowledged customer feedback regarding the current shortcomings in Rivian's mapping and navigation systems, an area where CarPlay excels. He noted that Rivian is actively working on improvements, facilitated by the company's acquisition of route planning app maker Iternio.
Despite not supporting CarPlay, Rivian plans to incorporate many of its desirable features on an "à la carte basis." The company has already integrated Apple Music with Spatial Audio support. Scaringe expressed his admiration for Apple's products and reiterated the strong relationship between the two companies. However, he emphasized the importance of consistency and control in delivering a "pure product experience" for Rivian customers.
The absence of CarPlay in Rivian's vehicles is not unique in the automotive industry. Tesla has never adopted the feature, and General Motors recently decided to drop support for CarPlay and Android Auto in its future electric vehicle models. In contrast, luxury brands like Porsche and Aston Martin are set to adopt the next-generation CarPlay experience.
The upcoming iPhone 16 models that we're expecting to see in September are going to be quite similar to the iPhone 15 models, but rumors suggest that Apple is making big changes in 2025. We've been hearing hints of an all-new device in the iPhone lineup, and it may be the most expensive iPhone Apple has offered to date.
Rumors have taken to referring to the new iPhone 17 that Apple has planned as the "iPhone 17 Slim," but Apple almost certainly won't use that naming. The "slim" descriptor references the sleeker, thinner design of the device.
With the 12.9-inch M4 iPad Pro model, Apple shaved over a millimeter off of the thickness, resulting in the thinnest device Apple has made to date. That same focus on a svelte design is expected in 2025, and the upcoming iPhone is said to be "significantly thinner" than current iPhones.
We don't know specifics on just how thin Apple is going to make this iPhone, but the iPad Pro is just 5.1mm thick and could serve as a blueprint on what to expect.
As for size, the iPhone 17 Slim is expected to fall somewhere between the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro. Separate rumors have targeted 6.55 inches, 6.6 inches, and 6.65 inches as the display size that Apple has settled on, which would make it smaller than the iPhone 15 Pro Max (and the rumored iPhone 16 Pro Max).
Though Apple has used titanium for the higher-end iPhone models since last year, the iPhone 17 Slim is rumored to have an aluminum chassis. The first rumors that surfaced about the device actually indicated that it would replace the "Plus" iPhone in Apple's lineup, but later information points toward a new high-end iPhone that's even more expensive than the Pro Max.
Based on the rumors we've heard so far, it sounds like the iPhone 17 Slim will be akin to the 2017 iPhone X. The iPhone X marked a major jump forward in technology, and it was sold alongside the standard iPhone 8 models.
It's sounding like we're going to get an iPhone 17, an iPhone 17 Pro, an iPhone 17 Pro Max, and this new high-end iPhone 17 Slim, with Apple eliminating the Plus model entirely. The iPhone 17 Slim could be more expensive than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which Apple currently starts at $1,199.
Relocated Cameras
Along with a thinner and lighter design, the high-end iPhone 17 could feature the first major rear camera overhaul. Rumors suggest that the cameras could be relocated from the top-left corner of the iPhone to the top center, which could result in a design similar to the Google Pixel.
The Pixel 8 Pro has a raised band across the back of the device that houses a trio of cameras, a laser detect auto focus sensor, and a flash.
Apple is still testing designs for the iPhone 17, but the relocated camera bump is a possibility.
Display Improvements
ProMotion display technology that allows for variable refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz is expected for all iPhone models in 2025, including the high-end model, but the bigger news is that Apple is rumored to be using a new display coating.
The new coating is said to have improved anti-reflective properties and better scratch resistance than the current Ceramic Shield coating. It's been described as a "super-hard anti-reflective layer" in leaks.
Apple has used Ceramic Shield since 2020. It's a ceramic-glass hybrid material developed in partnership with Corning. Corning has since made improvements in its protective glass products, and the company's Gorilla Armor material reduces reflectance by up to 75 percent while also boosting drop protection and scratch resistance. Corning has had a longtime relationship with Apple, and while Gorilla Armor was developed for Samsung, Corning could make a similar product for Apple.
Better Selfie Cam and Dynamic Island Changes
A slimmed down Dynamic Island that takes up less screen space is expected for the new iPhone 17. There have been rumors for years about under-display Face ID technology, and we could see the first hints of it in 2025.
There will be a smaller hole and pill-shaped cutout for the front-facing camera, but it doesn't sound like Apple is going to reach its all-display design goals just yet.
As part of the Dynamic Island redesign, Apple is rumored to be adopting a 24-megapixel front-facing camera, which would be an upgrade over the current 12-megapixel selfie camera. It will feature a six-element lens for improved image quality, and the boost in resolution will capture more detail and allow for more cropping in without sacrificing quality.
Faster Chips
It sounds like iPhone 17 series won't get TSMC's next-generation 2-nanometer chips, but we are expecting A19 chip technology that's likely built on an upgraded 3-nanometer process. Apple typically upgrades iPhones with faster and more efficient chip technology each year, and we're expecting the best chip available in 2025 to be included in the iPhone 17 Slim.
TSMC is working on 2nm chips, but mass production isn't expected until the end of 2025, which would be too late for the iPhone 17 models. If work speeds up, that could change. Compared to 3nm chip technology, 2nm fabrication process could bring a 10 to 15 percent speed improvement at the same power or a 25 to 30 percent power reduction at the same speed.
Chips built on an upgraded 3-nanometer process won't have the same gains as chips built on the 2-nanometer process, but we can still count on modest boosts to CPU and GPU speeds. With Apple's heavy focus on AI, the dedicated Neural Engine for machine learning tasks is also likely to see improvement.
TSMC is working on its N3P process, with mass production set to begin in late 2024. Compared to earlier versions of 3nm chips, the N3P chips offer increased performance efficiency and increased transistor density.
Up to 12GB RAM has been rumored for the high-end iPhone 17 models, and that jump would make sense in the more expensive iPhone 17 Slim. Currently, RAM maxes out at 8GB.
Read More
For more on what to expect from the iPhone 17 lineup in 2025, make sure to check out our iPhone 17 roundup. Our roundups receive regular updates with all of the latest rumors, making them a great resource for tracking rumor development over time.
Google no longer plans to deprecate third-party cookies in the Chrome browser, marking a notable change to a prior decision to phase out third-party cookies by 2025. Google announced its cookie updates in a blog post shared today, where the company said that it instead plans to focus on user choice.
Rather than eliminating third-party cookies entirely, Google will introduce "a new experience in Chrome" that is designed to allow people to "make an informed choice" applicable across their web browsing.
Back in 2020, Google claimed that it would phase out support for third-party cookies in Chrome by 2022, a timeline that was pushed back multiple times due to complaints from advertisers and regulatory issues. Google has been working on a Privacy Sandbox to find ways to improve privacy while still delivering info to advertisers, but third-party cookies will now be sticking around so as not to impact publishers and advertisers.
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had opposed Google's plan to stop relying on third-party cookies because a shift to Privacy Sandbox could limit competition in digital advertising, and now the CMA says that it is reviewing Google's new plan for a user-choice prompt.
Google does not plan to stop working on its Privacy Sandbox APIs, and the company says they will improve over time so that developers will have a privacy preserving alternative to cookies. Additional privacy controls, such as IP Protection, will be added to Chrome's Incognito mode.
As of now, the new customer choices that Google is planning for are being discussed with regulators, with more information to come at a later date.
Last Friday, a major CrowdStrike outage impacted PCs running Microsoft Windows, causing worldwide issues affecting airlines, retailers, banks, hospitals, rail networks, and more. Computers were stuck in continuous recovery loops, rendering them unusable.
The failure was caused by an update to the CrowdStrike Falcon antivirus software that auto-installed on Windows 10 PCs, but Mac and Linux machines were not affected even though they received the same software. A report from The Wall Street Journal delves into what happened and includes some critical information from Microsoft on why Macs did not get taken out by the update.
On Windows machines, CrowdStrike's Falcon security software is a kernel module, which gives the software full access to a PC. The kernel manages memory, processes, files, and devices, and it's basically the heart of the operating system. Much of the software on a PC is typically limited to user mode, where bad code can't cause harm, but software with kernel mode access can cause catastrophic total machine failures, like what was encountered last week.
The Falcon software was not able to wreak similar havoc on Macs because Apple does not give software makers kernel access. In macOS Catalina, which came out in 2019, Apple deprecated kernel extensions and transitioned to system extensions that run in a user space instead of at a kernel level. The change made Macs more stable and more secure, adding protection against unstable software updates like the one CrowdStrike pushed out. It is not possible for Macs to have a similar failure because of the change that Apple made.
In a statement to The Wall Street Journal, Microsoft blamed the European Commission for an inability to offer the same protections that Macs have. Microsoft said that it is unable to wall off its operating system because of an "understanding" with the European Commission. Back in 2009, Microsoft agreed to interoperability rules that provide third-party security apps with the same level of access to Windows that Microsoft gets. Microsoft agreed to provide kernel access in order to resolve multiple longstanding competition law issues in Europe.
Apple has not been forced to make changes to how Macs work, but the European Commission has been targeting the closed nature of iOS, and Apple has warned that the updates that have already been implemented could lead to security risks in the future. The European Union's Digital Markets Act has pushed Apple to allow developers to offer apps through third-party marketplaces and websites. Apple says explicitly that the DMA compromises its ability to "detect, prevent, and take action against malicious apps."
The major CrowdStrike failure that affected Windows PCs highlights some of the unintended consequences and the tradeoffs inherent in legislation that weakens security in the name of open access. CrowdStrike's simple software update impacted global infrastructure, bringing travel, commerce, and healthcare to a standstill.
Microsoft does not seem to have a way to stop a recurrence because it can't cut off kernel access. The company says that significant incidents "are infrequent" and that less than one percent of all Windows machines were impacted. CrowdStrike says that it is "deeply sorry for the inconvenience and disruption," and that in the future, it will share the steps that it is taking to prevent a similar situation.
Apple today added a Classical Top 100 chart to Apple Music Classical, the classical music streaming service that it introduced in early 2023.
The list features the most popular classical music albums that are streamed globally, combining five data sources from more than 165 countries. Top 100 comes from Apple Music Classical streams, Apple Music streams, iTunes downloads, iTunes song sales, and Shazam tags.
According to Apple, the Classical Top 100 list is the most comprehensive classical music chart available. The first number one album is Bach: Keyboard Concertos with Chinese pianist Tianqi Du and the Academy of St Martins in the Fields conducted by Jonathan Bloxham. The top five albums feature artists from Canada, China, Brazil, Latvia, Norway, and the UK, and encompass everything from full orchestral symphonies to solo guitar.
Apple plans to update the Apple Classical Top 100 list each Monday, and it can be found on the Apple Music Classical Home tab. Each chart includes activity from the prior week.
Apple Music Classical is a standalone music app designed for classical music lovers and musicians. It has the world's largest classical music catalogue, and it can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
Apple today updated its Sports app for iPhone with some changes related to Major League Soccer and Major League Baseball.
The release notes for version 1.5 of Apple Sports indicate that the app now supports Leagues Cup matches between MLS and Liga MX clubs, and the latest version also features an indicator in MLB box scores for pitcher statistics.
The release notes:
• Follow live as every MLS and Liga MX club competes for the Leagues Cup. • Added an indicator to MLB box scores for pitcher wins, losses, and saves.
Released in February, the Apple Sports app shows scores, schedules, stats, and more for a variety of leagues, such as the NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, and Premier League. The app also displays real-time play-by-play information for ongoing games.
Samsung is hosting a new "Black Friday in July" sale, which includes big discounts on multiple product lines sitewide. The popular ViewFinity S9 5K Smart Monitor and new Smart Monitor M80D are both discounted during this sale, but you'll also find sales on storage, audio, TVs, smartphones, and home appliances.
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.
The Smart Monitor M80D was announced at CES in January and launched in early June. The display retains key features of the previous model, like USB-C charging connectivity, AirPlay 2 support, an integrated webcam, and several smart TV features that enable it to be used when not connected to a PC. It's on sale today for $499.99, which is a new all-time low price and beats the previous deal from earlier in the month by about $50.
In terms of new features, the M80D includes a Multi Control feature that allows images and text to be moved between the display and a Galaxy Book, Tablet, or Phone. You can also pair Galaxy Buds to the monitor for a spatial audio experience with head tracking, as well as guided workouts when paired with a Galaxy Watch.
You can also get the 27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K Smart Monitor for $899.99, down from $1,599.99. At $700 off this is an all-time low price on the 2023 display, which has a matte display, modular 4K SlimFit camera, and support for Thunderbolt 4.
We've rounded up a few more discounts below on TVs, monitors, and Galaxy products, but remember that this sale is sitewide and you can save on many more devices, including household appliances and more.
The fourth-generation iPhone SE will offer a series of major upgrades over the current model, the leaker known as "Ice Universe" claims.
The information was listed in a post on Weibo, which also detailed the specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup. As previously rumored, the fourth-generation iPhone SE is expected to feature Face ID and USB-C, marking a major upgrade from current and previous models that have all featured a Touch ID Home button and a Lightning port.
The device's display will apparently grow in size from 4.7 inches to 6.06 inches and feature an OLED panel for the first time. The new iPhone SE is also expected to tout an A18 chip like the iPhone 16 lineup, 6GB to 8GB of LPDDR5 memory, an aluminum chassis, and a single rear 48-megapixel camera. The fourth-generation iPhone SE will apparently launch between March and May of 2025 with a price point of $499 to $549. The current model launched in March 2022 for $429.
Apple's high-end AirPods Max headphones have dropped to a new record low price today on Amazon, available for $382.70 in Pink, down from $549.00. This deal is only available in the Pink colorway right now, and it beats the Prime Day price by about $12.
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.
Prime members can get the AirPods Max delivered as soon as July 24, while most other customers can expect a delivery by this Sunday, July 28. AirPods deals were very popular last week during Prime Day, but now the AirPods Max is the only model with a deal that beats those prices, although you can find some solid second-best prices on AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro 2 on Amazon this week.
Apple is scaling back its Hollywood spending after investing over $20 billion in original programming with limited success, Bloomberg reports.
This shift comes after the streaming service, which launched in 2019, struggled to capture a significant share of the market, accounting for only 0.2% of TV viewership in the U.S., compared to Netflix's 8%. Despite heavy investment, critical acclaim, and numerous award nominations, Apple TV+ purportedly generates less viewing in one month than Netflix does in a single day.
Over the last five years, the Apple TV+ has had only four series make Nielsen's weekly list of the ten most popular original streaming shows. While Ted Lasso was the most-watched streaming show of 2023, Apple TV+ still accounts for a smaller share of top ten hits than any streaming service except Paramount+.
Apple's initial foray into streaming was marked by lavish spending on high-profile projects and talent, including deals with big names like Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, and Jennifer Aniston. The company's Hollywood operation, led by studio chiefs Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht, positioned itself as a talent-friendly destination, reminiscent of HBO, offering creators seemingly unlimited financial resources.
Apple spent more than $500 million combined on movies from directors Martin Scorsese, Ridley Scott, and Matthew Vaughn, and upwards of $250 million on the World War II miniseries Masters of the Air. Despite the strong reviews and awards nominations, these projects have not yielded the viewership that Apple apparently hoped for.
The company's new strategy is said to involve tighter budget controls and a more cautious approach to spending. This includes paying less upfront for shows, being quicker to cancel underperforming series, and delaying productions to manage costs better. For instance, the production of the sci-fi series Foundation was postponed to prevent budget overruns caused by delays related to the 2023 actors and writers strikes.
The cost of the second season of Severance surged to over $20 million per episode due to pandemic-related delays, internal conflicts, and additional expenses such as hiring House of Cards creator Beau Willimon for script contributions. Management has asked the producers of Severance to reduce the budget for future seasons, emphasizing the need for financial sustainability.
Apple has also become more selective in acquiring new projects, declining to buy some shows that sellers believe the company would have accepted just a few years ago. The company allegedly wants to shed the image of being Hollywood's biggest spender and bring more discipline and strategy to its content investments.
While still willing to invest heavily in certain high-profile projects, such as The Morning Show, where cast salaries alone exceed $50 million for the upcoming season, Apple TV+ is becoming more fiscally conservative. The Morning Show stars Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon will each earn more than $2 million per episode. This recalibration comes at a time when other major studios like Disney, Warner Bros., and Paramount are similarly cutting back on streaming budgets due to mounting losses.
Key details about the overall specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup have been shared by the leaker known as "Ice Universe," clarifying several important aspects of next year's devices.
Reports in recent months have converged in agreement that Apple will discontinue the "Plus" iPhone model in 2025 while introducing an all-new iPhone 17 "Slim" model as an even more high-end option sitting above the iPhone 17 Pro Max in the lineup. The latest information from Ice Universe, shared yesterday on Weibo, corroborates this and claims that the alleged display sizes and price points will be as follows:
iPhone 17: 6.27-inch LTPO display ($799)
iPhone 17 Pro: 6.27-inch LTPO display ($1,099)
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.86-inch LTPO display ($1,199)
iPhone 17 "Slim": 6.65-inch LTPO display ($1,299)
Notably, all four iPhone 17 models will apparently feature LTPO displays for the first time, enabling ProMotion for a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz. To date, ProMotion displays have been exclusive to Apple's "Pro" devices, so the iPhone 17 may be the first time that the technology expands to a lower-cost device.
The iPhone 17 "Slim" is said to become the new iPhone flagship with a price tag of approximately $1,299, making it the most expensive iPhone model to date. It will allegedly feature a 6.65-inch display, placing it between the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max in size.
The iPhone 17 Pro models will purportedly feature 12GB of memory, a triple 48-megapixel rear camera system, and an A19 Pro chip fabricated with TSMC's N3P process, whereas the standard model will feature a separate A19 chip. This contrasts with the iPhone 16 lineup, which is expected to feature the same A18 chip across the board.
The post also suggests that the iPhone 17 "Slim" will feature an A19 chip, a dual dear camera system, an aluminum chassis, and 8GB of memory, but it is not clear if this is accurate. It is possible that this information has simply been assumed based on its replacement of the "Plus" model and it seems potentially strange for the new high-end model to have inferior specifications to the Pro models. The iPhone 17 lineup is expected to be introduced in September 2025.
OWC this week knocked the price of the popular 14-Port Thunderbolt 3 Dock down to $99.99, from its original price of $279.99, and this deal is still around this weekend. This is a match of the all-time low price on the accessory, which we last tracked way back in April.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with OWC. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Besides this dock, you'll find a large collection of accessories on sale at this time on OWC, including USB-C hubs, external drives and enclosures, and internal memory upgrade kits for Mac.
In regards to the 14-Port Thunderbolt 3 Dock, this accessory features two Thunderbolt 3 ports, five USB Type-A ports, one USB Type-C port, one Mini DisplayPort port, one gigabit Ethernet port, one S/PDIF digital audio output port, and one 3.5mm stereo audio input/output port. There are also two memory card slots for microSD and SD cards.
All of the devices listed below are in new condition at OWC, although the retailer does provide various item condition options for anyone who might want to save money by purchasing open box items. Be sure to visit OWC's sale landing page to browse the full sale, which also features deals on cables, Mac accessories, keyboards, and headphones.
The public betas of iOS 18 and other upcoming major operating system updates are finally here! Apple has spent the past month refining the betas through developer testing, and it's now time to open them up for broader access ahead of a full public launch several months from now.
We also got a surprise hardware update this week, but it was one of the most minor updates imaginable – swapping out the Space Gray color of the HomePod mini for a new version in an extremely similar Midnight color. This week also saw us taking a look ahead at the upcoming iPhone 16 and Apple Watch lineups that should now be less than two months way, while we went hands-on with Samsung's new earbuds that have some striking similarities to Apple's AirPods Pro, so read on below for all the details!
Apple Releases First iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 Public Betas
The first public beta of iOS 18 is now available for the iPhone, allowing anyone to test the update for free. We recommend installing the beta on a secondary iPhone, rather than the one that you use daily, as there are often bugs and other issues with pre-release software.
iOS 18 features more Home Screen and Control Center customization options, a completely redesigned Photos app, the ability to use any emoji as a Tapback in the Messages app, an option to lock apps behind Face ID or Touch ID, and much more. The tentpole feature of iOS 18 is Apple Intelligence, which is Apple's new suite of generative AI features coming to iPhone 15 Pro models and newer later this year.
There does not appear to be any other changes to the HomePod mini, which continues to start at $99 in the United States. In fact, Midnight looks nearly identical to Space Gray, so there is little reason for any existing HomePod mini owners to purchase the new color option.
iPhone 16 Series Is Just Two Months Away: Everything We Know
Apple's next-generation iPhone 16 series is just two months away from being unveiled, and there are already many rumors for the devices.
2024 Apple Watch Lineup: Key Changes We're Expecting
Alongside the iPhone 16 series later this year, we can expect the next-generation Apple Watch lineup, including so-called Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3 models.
Earlier this week, we rounded up key changes to expect from the next Apple Watch lineup, including larger display sizes for some models. As is often the case, new health features like sleep apnea detection have also been rumored.
iOS 18 Passwords App: All the Features
iOS 18 features a standalone Passwords app from Apple that surfaces some of the iCloud Keychain functionality built into the Settings app on previous versions of iOS for more convenient access.
Apple's AirPods Pro 2 vs. Samsung's Galaxy Buds3 Pro
Samsung last week introduced its latest earbuds, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro, which look quite a bit like Apple's AirPods Pro 2. Given the similarities, we thought we'd compare Samsung's new earbuds to the AirPods Pro.
Check out our hands-on video that goes through the design similarities and differences, performance comparisons, and other features to get an idea of how they match head-to-head. Apple users will almost certainly want to stick with AirPods Pro while Android users would want to opt for the Galaxy Buds, but it's always good to see what the competition is up to.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
Apple is expanding how its cross-platform Continuity features work in 2024, introducing an iPhone Mirroring option in macOS Sequoia and iOS 18. As the name suggests, iPhone Mirroring lets you control your iPhone with your Mac by mirroring your iPhone's display to your Mac's display. You can manage your iPhone from your Mac with iPhone Mirroring, using your mouse, keyboard, and trackpad with iPhone apps, notifications, and more.
This guide walks through all of the iPhone Mirroring features and explains how it works.
iPhone Mirroring Basics
After upgrading to iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, there's a new iPhone Mirroring app in the Dock, and that's how you start an iPhone Mirroring session.
From your Mac's Dock, click on the iPhone Mirroring app.
Click on Continue at the pop-up informational screen.
Select the iPhone that you want to use if you have more than one iPhone.
Unlock your iPhone with a passcode to allow the connection.
Click on Get Started.
Use Touch ID on the Mac to authenticate (alternatively, enter your password).
When you start up iPhone Mirroring for the first time, you can opt to have it require authentication with every connection or to allow a connection automatically. If you choose automatic authentication, you will not need to authenticate with Touch ID or a password to use iPhone Mirroring when your Mac is unlocked.
Otherwise, you will need to authenticate on your Mac each time you want to use iPhone Mirroring. Note that an iPhone needs to be locked while an iPhone Mirroring session is in progress, so you can't use your iPhone while it's being mirrored to your Mac.
If your iPhone is not locked and you attempt to initiate iPhone Mirroring from your Mac, you will get a warning that the iPhone is in use.
There is no option for launching an iPhone Mirroring session from an iPhone -- it needs to be done from a Mac. While the iPhone Mirroring app icon should be in the Dock, if it's not there, you can get to it from the Launchpad or the Applications folder, because it is treated as a standard app.
iPhone Mirroring Interface
Your full iPhone interface is shown as a dedicated app on the Mac, with your wallpaper and app icons all visible and accessible. You can click in to any of your apps and use it on the Mac just like you would on the iPhone.
You can get to your Home Screen by clicking on the bottom bar, and swap between pages with the trackpad or with a click and drag gesture using a mouse. There are menu options for getting to the Home Screen and for bringing up the app switching interface, but most control is done within the iPhone Mirroring window.
iPhone Mirroring Requirements
To use iPhone Mirroring, you need a Mac that runs macOS Sequoia and that has an Apple silicon chip (M1 or later) or a T2 security chip. Macs with T2 security chips are Intel-based and include the following machines:
Your iPhone and Mac need to be signed into the same Apple ID, and two-factor authentication must be enabled for the iPhone Mirroring feature to work. You will also need to turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and the two devices will need to be near each other.
During an iPhone Mirroring session, your Mac and your iPhone need to be close to one another, essentially in the same room.
Privacy and Security
You need to be signed into the same Apple ID on your iPhone and your Mac for iPhone Mirroring to work. While iPhone Mirroring is active, your iPhone does not need to be unlocked.
Your iPhone can remain tucked away in a pocket or a bag while you control it from your Mac, so no one can access it or see what you're doing with it. You do need to have your iPhone close enough to your Mac for there to be a Bluetooth connection, likely for security purposes.
Using a Mouse and Keyboard with iPhone
Your Mac's keyboard, trackpad, and mouse can be used with your iPhone, which is useful if you need to type something lengthy in an iPhone app.
Audio, Camera, and Microphone
If you play a video on your iPhone while iPhone Mirroring is enabled, the audio comes through your Mac. You can't turn on the Camera app or use the microphone, though.
iPhone Notifications on Mac
With iPhone Mirroring turned on, incoming iPhone notifications show up right alongside your Mac notifications in the Notification Center at the upper right hand corner of the Mac's display.
iPhone notifications are denoted with a small iPhone icon, but they otherwise look like native Mac notifications.
You can click on a notification and open up the app on your iPhone, interacting with it directly from the Mac.
StandBy
While your iPhone is being mirrored to your Mac, it can be on a charger and in StandBy mode, displaying the time and other information.
Drag and Drop
Later this year, Apple plans to add iPhone Mirroring's best feature, file transfers. You will be able to transfer files, photos, and videos from your Mac to your iPhone and vice versa using drag and drop gestures.
Apple says that it will work just like dragging files from one Mac app to another.
While drag and drop has yet to be implemented, you can sort of work around this by using AirDrop to move photos and files from your iPhone to your Mac, initiating AirDrop from the iPhone without having to unlock it.
Resizing
There are three size options for iPhone Mirroring. You can have it mirror the display size of your iPhone or set it to be one size bigger or one size larger, with these options available from the iPhone Mirroring settings options.
If an app or a game is displayed in landscape orientation, the window will shift into landscape.
Home Screen Management
You can click and hold on an area of the iPhone's Home Screen while iPhone Mirroring is activated to bring up jiggle mode, which allows you to then rearrange your iPhone apps, delete them, and add and manage widgets.
iPhone Mirroring Limitations
iPhone Mirroring will not work if the Mac is using AirPlay to stream music or video content to another device, or if Sidecar is enabled with an iPad. Continuity Camera cannot be enabled either, so if you're using your iPhone as a webcam for your Mac, you can't use iPhone Mirroring at the same time.
Attempting to watch movies and TV shows from some apps like Hulu and Netflix does not work, with the iPhone Mirroring app showing just a blank black screen, likely due to DRM restrictions.
You cannot access the Control Center or the Notification Center with iPhone Mirroring, nor can you manage the Lock Screen.
Apple this week updated the Apple Maps app in Paris in preparation for the 2024 Summer Olympics, which are set to begin on Friday, July 26. All permanent venues, such as the Parc de Princes and Centre Aquatique Olympique, are displayed as custom, hand-built 3D landmarks.
Iconic sites like Gare de l'Est, Pont d'Iéna, and Place de la Madeleine are also rendered with more detail, and for the first time, the Maps app is displaying pop up locations that include temporary venues, souvenir shops, and public gathering sites. support for pop up locations will help attendees find important places for the summer games.
All game locations and ceremony sites have special icons to help visitors find where they need to be, and Apple says that Maps displays all of the latest updates on road closures and advisories due to the games to help users navigate the city. There are curated Maps Guides for restaurants, hotels, and shopping, with dozens of new Guides from Le Bonbon, Le Fooding, Radio France, Madame Figaro, and My Little Paris.
Along with the Maps updates, Apple plans to feature stories spotlighting popular events like gymnastics and swimming in the App Store, and it recommends that people download the official Paris 2024 Olympics app to follow along. Sports-themed mobile games and health and fitness apps will be highlighted as well.
Full coverage of Olympic events will be available through the Peacock and NBC Sports apps, which can be downloaded from the App Store. A daily Olympic recap will be available on Peacock for fans in the U.S., offering customized playlists of highlights from relevant events from the prior day.
There is a dedicated NBC Olympics Hub in the Apple TV app for quick access to NBC coverage.
Apple Podcasts will feature shows and episodes celebrating sports and the power of gathering together in Paris, while Apple Newswill have curated coverage of the events and the stars of the games along with a schedule of events. Apple Music also plans to publish a Guide to French Music, which is an in-depth editorial feature of all the musical genres in France. It will go live later this week.
The Summer Olympics will begin next Friday with an Opening Ceremony that begins at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time or 7:30 p.m. Paris time. Soccer games will begin on July 24, with badminton, handball, rowing, volleyball, fencing, field hockey, shooting, diving, and gymnastics set to begin on July 27. Events will continue until August 11.
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