MacRumors

The Apple Watch Series 9 and second-generation Apple Watch Ultra will offer several previously undisclosed features, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claims.

In a detailed report outlining his full expectations for Apple's "Wonderlust" event, Gurman said that the ‌Apple Watch Series 9‌ and second-generation Apple Watch Ultra will offer various sensor and component upgrades, with a general "focus on speed, efficiency, and accuracy." These changes will include a new version of Apple's optical heart rate sensor. The Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8 feature Apple's third-generation optical heart rate sensor.

The new Apple Watches will also feature an all-new "U2" ultra wideband chip, the first generational iteration of the component since the U1 chip's 2019 introduction in the iPhone 11 Pro. The new chip will improve the Apple Watch's location capabilities, allowing people and devices to be tracked more precisely in the Find My App. It is apparently set to come to all of the next versions of Apple's major products, including the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro.

The second-generation Apple Watch Ultra will be manufactured with more recycled materials, as well as come in a black color option for the first time. As previously reported, the stainless steel ‌Apple Watch Series 9‌ will feature a 3D-printed casing. Apple plans to start manufacturing the Apple Watch Ultra with the technology starting next year.

This year's main Apple Watch upgrade will be a new processor, which has to date effectively not been changed throughout three successive generations of the device. Apple apparently plans to "heavily tout major gains in processing speed" during its "Wonderlust" event.

The new Apple Watch models will otherwise be largely unchanged compared to their predecessors. The company also plans to shift away from some of its leather watch bands, and there are signs that Apple may finally update or discontinue the Link Bracelet introduced alongside the original Apple Watch.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today shared his expectations for Apple's "Wonderlust" event, revealing several significant new features for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models.

Gurman claims that the new titanium chassis of the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ models will be more durable, reduce weight by around 10 percent, and have a brushed effect, unlike the polished finish of the current devices that have stainless steel frames, to reduce fingerprints. The edges where the metal sides and glass front and back of the device meet are now more smooth and rounded. He added that the displays of both Pro models will look perceptibly larger due to their reduced bezels, which are about one-third smaller.

While the A17 Bionic will offer improved performance thanks to its first-of-its-kind 3nm fabrication process, one of the main benefits of the chip will apparently be enhanced battery life. The iPhone 14 Pro and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max currently have a battery life of around 23- and 29-hours, respectively. The next-generation devices will also feature more memory, increasing from the 6GB of memory that have been offered in Pro iPhone models in recent years.

The new "Action Button" that replaces the mute switch have customizable functionality to perform tasks including "silencing the phone, turning on a Focus mode, opening the flashlight, launching the camera, starting a voice recording, opening Siri shortcuts, pulling up the digital magnifying glass and opening accessibility settings."

In addition, the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max's telephoto and ultra wide cameras will feature more megapixels than their predecessors, increasing beyond 12-megapixels for the first time. Gurman also clarified that the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max will retain its "Pro Max" moniker, and will not be branded as an "Ultra" model as some previous rumors have suggested.

Both the standard and the Pro ‌iPhone‌ models will feature an all-new "U2" ultra wideband chip, the first iteration of the component since the U1 chip's introduction in the ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro in 2019. The new chip will improve location capabilities, allowing people and devices to be tracked more precisely in the Find My App. It is apparently set to come to all of the next versions of Apple's major products. Another improvement coming to the entire ‌iPhone‌ lineup is faster wireless charging speeds and a more repairable design.

Gurman also reiterated several previously reported rumors, such as the Dynamic Island, A16 Bionic chip, and 48-megapixel main camera coming to the ‌iPhone 15‌ and ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus, as well as the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max's periscope telephoto camera with up to 6x optical zoom.

With Apple's iPhone 15 series launch potentially now just two weeks away, Apple retail employees are reportedly being drilled to emphasize to customers at the point of sale that the switch to USB-C means the new devices cannot be charged with existing Lightning charging cables that they may already own.

When customers purchase a new ‌iPhone 15‌ model, Apple staff will be trained to caution that while a USB-C to USB-C cable is included in the box, a USB-C charger is not. Employees will therefore direct customers to the in-store availability of Apple USB-C power adapters and additional Apple-certified USB-C cables to meet the need for multiple charging locations.

Apple has used its proprietary Lightning port on iPhone models for over 10 years, but in recent years Apple's Macs and iPads have all transitioned to the more common USB-C charging standard. Pressure to comply with new regulations implemented in Europe reportedly hastened the company's decision to switch to USB-C for iPhones, however despite its initial reluctance to make the change in 2023, Apple stands to profit enormously from the switch.

According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple in March significantly increased the total shipment forecast of its 20W USB-C charger by approximately 120% for the third quarter of this year, and set 20W USB-C charger shipments at about 70 million units for the fourth quarter. Overall, Apple's 20W USB-C charger shipments in 2023 are anticipated to see a significant 30–40% year-on-year growth, amounting to 230–240 million units, thanks to the strong replacement demand.

Kuo believes Apple's upcoming ‌iPhone 15‌ series will include support for faster charging speeds when used with MFi-certified USB-C chargers, including its own 20W Power Adapter, while Leaker ShrimpApplePro has said that ‌iPhone 15‌ models will only officially support USB-C accessories certified by the Apple Made for ‌iPhone‌ (MFi) program.

Meanwhile Apple supplier Foxconn is said to be producing accessories like EarPods and cables with USB-C connectors that are MFi certified, and Apple is also expected to release a new AirPods Pro USB-C charging case.

At least some of the ‌iPhone 15‌ models could support charging speeds up to 35W, which would allow for quicker charging with an appropriate power adapter. It is not clear if this is a feature that will be available for all of the ‌iPhone 15‌ models or just the iPhone 15 Pro models.

At the current time, the iPhone 14 models can charge at a maximum of around 27W, with the Pro models able to charge a bit faster. An increase to 35W would speed up charging times. If the ‌‌iPhone 15‌‌ models support up to 35W charging, Apple could start recommending its 30W MacBook Air charger or its 35W Dual USB-C charger for maximum charging speed.

Overall, Apple stands to gain significant revenue from USB-C accessory sales as it effectively renders obsolete Lightning cables and connecting USB-A chargers already used by millions of Apple customers worldwide. With ‌iPhone 15‌ prices expected to increase, many customers in the market for a new model this year will also therefore have to brace themselves for the additional financial burden of replacement chargers and cables.

Apple will unveil the ‌iPhone 15‌ series at an event scheduled for Tuesday, September 12 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. A live stream of the event will be available on YouTube, on Apple's website, and in the Apple Events app for the Apple TV.

In iOS 17, Siri has learned a few more useful features worth knowing about. One is the ability to use Siri to send messages to friends and family over compatible third-party apps. Keep reading to learn how it's done.

When you ask ‌Siri‌ to send a message in iOS 17, you can now tap to select which app on your iPhone that you want to send it from. This allows you to send messages not just from Apple's built-in Messages app, but also third-party apps like Telegram and WhatsApp.

The feature is compatible with any third-party app whose settings include the "Use with Ask ‌Siri‌" option. To check if an app has the option, or to enable/disable it, follow these steps.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Siri & Search.
3. Scroll down to the apps list and tap the app in question.
4. Toggle the switch next to Use with Ask Siri.

• When Will iOS 17 Be Released?

If "Use with Ask Siri" is enabled for a particular app, you can manually choose it each time you ask the voice assistant to send a message. Here's how.

1. Activate Siri by saying "Hey Siri" or just "Siri," or by pressing and holding the Side button on your iPhone until the Siri orb appears on the screen.
2. Ask Siri to send a message to one of your contacts.
3. In the message card that appears at the top of the screen, tap the Messages icon next to the person's name.
4. Tap another compatible messaging app in the dropdown to select it.
5. Type your message in the input field, then tap Send.

There's nothing more to it. ‌In iOS 17, Siri‌ is also able to recognize and respond to multiple back-to-back requests without needing to be reactivated.

• Will My iPhone Run iOS 17?

You can, for example, ask ‌Siri‌ to tell you the time, and then follow that up with a request to text your friend that you're going to be late all in the same ‌Siri‌ request. For more details on what's new for Siri in iOS 17, check out our dedicated guide.

While rumors have been circulating about a $100 price increase for both iPhone 15 Pro models, Taiwanese research firm TrendForce today predicted that the smaller iPhone 15 Pro will start at $999 in the U.S., just like the iPhone 14 Pro.

TrendForce believes that only the iPhone 15 Pro Max will cost extra. The research firm predicted that the device will start at $1,199 in the U.S., which would be a $100 price increase compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The device is expected to exclusively feature a periscope lens that enables up to 6x optical zoom, double the current limit.

Despite predicting a price increase for the Pro Max model this year, TrendForce expects that the device will continue to start with 128GB of storage, rather than 256GB as previously rumored. On the other hand, the research firm expects both iPhone 15 Pro models to be equipped with 8GB of RAM, up from 6GB in the iPhone 14 Pro models.

Time will soon tell if TrendForce is accurate with its latest predictions, as Apple will unveil the iPhone 15 series at its event on Tuesday, September 12 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. Stay tuned for in-depth coverage of Apple's announcements next week.

Apple's upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will have the same 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacity options as the iPhone 14 Pro models, according to information shared today by Taiwanese research firm TrendForce.

The research firm reiterated its claim that both iPhone 15 Pro models will be equipped with 8GB of RAM, compared to 6GB for the iPhone 14 Pro models. Increased RAM can contribute to improved performance, particularly for multitasking. The lower-end iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models will have 6GB of RAM, the research firm said.

TrendForce believes the iPhone 15 Pro will start at $999 in the U.S., just like the iPhone 14 Pro. However, the research firm predicts that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will start at $1,199, which would be a $100 price increase compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

All four iPhone 15 models are expected to be equipped with a USB-C port and the Dynamic Island, while many additional features are rumored for the Pro models, including a titanium frame, customizable Action button, A17 Bionic chip, Wi-Fi 6E support, a periscope lens with up to 6x optical zoom on the Pro Max, and more.

Apple will unveil the iPhone 15 series at an event scheduled for Tuesday, September 12 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. A live stream of the event will be available on YouTube, on Apple's website, and in the Apple Events app for the Apple TV.

Today on Amazon you can get Apple's AirPods Pro 2 at $199.00, down from the original price of $249.00. Amazon provides an estimated delivery date between September 9 and September 13 for most residences in the United States.

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.

This has been one of the most consistent deals on the AirPods Pro 2 all year, and is about $5 away from the all-time low price that we last saw in March. Given that we haven't tracked that rare sale again, we definitely recommend jumping on this deal if you've been waiting for a deal on the AirPods Pro 2.

This model of the AirPods Pro can charge via Lightning, Qi, or an Apple Watch charger. We're expecting Apple to introduce a model that adds USB-C charging to the AirPods Pro 2 next week, but it could be a while before those models are discounted.

We track sales for every model of the AirPods in our Best AirPods Deals guide, so be sure to bookmark that page while you shop around for the wireless headphones.

The macOS 13.5.2, iOS 16.6.1, iPadOS 16.6.1, and watchOS 9.6.2 updates that Apple released today includes fixes for security vulnerabilities that Apple says may have been actively exploited in the wild.

According to Apple's security support page, in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, processing a maliciously crafted image could lead to arbitrary code execution, allowing a hacker to gain access to the operating system with a simple picture. Apple fixed the ImageIO process by addressing a buffer overflow issue to improve memory handling.

In iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS, a maliciously crafted attachment in the Wallet app could also lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple addressed the validation issue with improved logic.

As these updates include important security fixes, everyone should install iOS 16.6.1, iPadOS 16.6.1, macOS 13.5.2, and watchOS 9.6.2 as soon as possible. Apple recommends these software updates for all users.

Update: As reported by Citizen Lab, the vulnerabilities are part of a "BLASTPASS" exploit chain that was observed having been used in the wild to deliver NSO Group's Pegasus spyware. Pegasus is of critical concern to government officials, journalists, activists, and others with potentially sensitive information on their devices.

The zero-click vulnerability allowed attackers to send a maliciously crafted PassKit (Wallet) image to a target via iMessage, infecting their device "without any interaction from the victim."

The attacks can be blocked by applying today's updates or by enabling Lockdown Mode on your device.

Apple today released iOS 16.6.1, iPadOS 16.6.1, and watchOS 9.6.2, minor updates for the iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS operating systems that came out last September. The launch of iOS 16.6.1 comes over a month after the release of iOS 16.6, an update that brought bug fixes.

‌‌iOS 16‌‌‌.6.1 and iPadOS 16.6.1 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. It can take a few minutes for the updates to propagate to all users because of demand.

watchOS 9.6.2 can be downloaded for free through the Apple Watch app on the iPhone by opening it up and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌iPhone‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌.

According to Apple's release notes for the updates, they includes unspecified bug fixes and security improvements.

Apple today released macOS Ventura 13.5.2, a bug fix update for the macOS Ventura operating system released last October. macOS Ventura 13.5.2 comes almost a month after the launch of macOS Ventura 13.5.1.

The ‌‌‌‌macOS Ventura‌‌‌‌ 13.5.2 update can be downloaded for free on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Settings.

macOS Ventura 13.5.2 focuses on minor bug fixes and security improvements, and it does not include any notable new features.

China earlier this week banned government officials from using iPhones and other foreign smartphones for work or from bringing such devices to their government offices, and now China is expanding the ban. According to Bloomberg, multiple state agencies and state companies have started telling workers not to bring their iPhones in to their jobs.

The restriction is expected to expand to additional government-controlled organizations in the future as China aims to block foreign technology. China does not yet have a formal injunction, so it is not yet known how many companies may adopt the iPhone restrictions. China has a huge number of state-owned enterprises in power generation, seaport construction, mining, manufacturing, education, and investment markets. Foreign devices have historically been discouraged in sensitive agencies, but China is now taking a firmer stance.

China is an important market for Apple, and the ban could push customers to purchase Chinese-made devices if they are unable to use their personal iPhones for much of the day. Bloomberg suggests that the strictness of the bans could vary from company to company, with some banning Apple products from the workplace and some preventing employees from using Apple devices entirely.

Apple stock has been dropping since yesterday, and it is down over 5 percent as of Thursday.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Apple this week started selling certified refurbished 15-inch MacBook Air models through its online store in select European countries, as noted by @SaranByte on X, formerly known as Twitter. So far, these countries include the U.K., Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, and Switzerland. Availability will likely expand to the U.S., Canada, and additional countries within the next few weeks.

As usual for refurbished Macs, prices are discounted by approximately 15% compared to brand new models. A variety of configurations are available to order.

Apple inspects, cleans, tests, and repackages all refurbished Macs to ensure they are fully functional and in good condition, and Apple's refurbished products are covered by a one-year limited warranty and eligible for AppleCare+ coverage.

Apple released the 15-inch MacBook Air at WWDC in June, with pricing starting at $1,299 in the U.S. The laptop has the same overall design and M2 chip as the 13-inch MacBook Air, but it features a larger display and two additional speakers. The laptop is available in four color options: Midnight, Starlight, Space Gray, and Silver.

Keep in mind that the 15-inch MacBook Air is frequently on sale at resellers, so be sure to keep track of our MacBook Air deals guide.

The iPhone 15 Pro and ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max will be priced at $1,099 and $1,199 in a $100 price increase over the current models, according to Wedbush analyst Dan Ives.

In an investor note seen by MacRumors, Ives becomes the latest analyst to emphasize the expected price rises for Apple's Pro iPhone models, which have been widely reported in recent months. He also reinforced previous reports that the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will maintain the same pricing as the current models.

Ives believes there will be considerable promotional activities and discounts from U.S. carriers in the coming months. Such initiatives are likely to further drive sales for the ‌iPhone 15‌, offsetting potential resistance from the price increment. He also highlighted that 25 percent of Apple's 1.2 billion user base has not upgraded their devices in over four years. This apparently indicates a significant pent-up demand that could lead to what Ives terms a "mini super cycle."

Earlier this year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was contemplating raising the price for both the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ and the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max. Analyst Jeff Pu has also said that the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ models could be more expensive than the iPhone 14 Pro models. Most recently, DigiTimes' Luke Lin noted the impending "major price hike" for Apple's upcoming Pro ‌iPhone‌ models. The entire ‌iPhone 15‌ lineup is due to be unveiled at Apple's "Wonderlust" event on Tuesday, September 12.

The UK government has denied that it has dropped a controversial plan to scan encrypted messaging services for harmful content as part of its Online Safety Bill, which is due to become law later this year.

A provision in the bill allows regulator Ofcom to order messaging services to use "accredited technology" to look for and take down child sexual abuse material.

However, according to a Financial Times report, the British government's minister for arts and heritage, Stephen Parkinson, said on Wednesday that Ofcom would only be able to intervene if scanning content was "technically feasible" and if the process met minimum standards of privacy and accuracy.

Many security experts believe that such tech tools may never exist, while tech firms have argued that content moderation policies such as client-side scanning are impossible to implement without circumventing end-to-end encryption, which ensures that only the user and the person they are communicating with can read or listen to what is sent.

Apple has threatened to pull services including FaceTime and iMessage in the UK if the online safety bill goes ahead in its current form, while WhatsApp and Signal have said they will quit the UK altogether.

Despite the government's apparent concession to tech companies' arguments, technology minister Michelle Donelan on Thursday denied that the bill had changed, arguing that if necessary it will still require companies to work to develop technology to scan encrypted messages if they cannot take action to stop child abuse on their platforms.

Donelan told reporters further work to develop the technology was needed, adding that government-funded research had shown it was possible, however she did not offer evidence to back her claim.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Apple today sent out emails inviting developers to visit the Apple Developer Center in Cupertino, California for a workshop on app optimization. Apple says that developers can learn to maximize app performance to "give people a great experience."

Attendees will learn how to optimize Apple frameworks and what Apple tools can be used for identifying and resolving performance issues. Apple engineers will be on hand to provide support, app testing, and advice.

The all-day event that runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time is set to take place at the Apple Developer Center on September 27, 2023. The event is free, and registration is first come, first serve. It is not clear how many spots are open to developers

Join us for an all-day, in-person event and discover how to improve your app experience by maximizing performance. Learn how to optimize your use of Apple frameworks, identify and resolve performance issues with tools like Instruments and Xcode Organizer, and get advice from Apple engineers on reducing launch time, hang rate, memory footprint, and more. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to test your apps and get hands-on support. Hosted at the Apple Developer Center in Cupertino.

Apple opened the Apple Developer Center in June of 2022, just ahead of the 2022 Worldwide Developers Conference. Apple has described the Developer Center as a "world class facility" where developers can meet with Apple engineers, designers, and experts.

There are dedicated lab areas at the Developer Center, along with work pods, briefing centers, a studio with stage, and more. Meeting rooms are named after prior macOS releases, and the studio room is named Big Sur.

Outside of WWDC 2022 and 2023, Apple has extended limited invitations to developers to visit the Developer Center at Apple Park. The September 27 meetings will take place following the introduction of new iPhones on September 12 and after the launch of iOS 17, which we are expecting to see released around September 20.

Apple in iOS 18 plans to use language models to make Siri smarter, according to The Information. Apple wants ‌Siri‌ to be able to help users automate complex, multi-step tasks with voice-based commands.

As an example, ‌Siri‌ might be able to do something like take a series of five photos, turn them into a GIF, and send the resulting GIF to a friend, all as one single action. Automatically converting photos into a GIF is possible right now with the Shortcuts app, but it has to be set up manually.

‌Siri‌'s functionality will be similar to what's possible with the Shortcuts app, and it is likely that it will see ‌Siri‌ integrating more deeply with Shortcuts. Shortcuts have become a key part of the iPhone operating system and can be used for some powerful automated actions. Apple maintains a gallery of Shortcut options for everything from removing backgrounds from images to creating chore lists.

The Information says that Apple is aiming to release the new ‌Siri‌ capabilities as part of the ‌iPhone‌'s operating system next year, which suggests that it will be part of ‌iOS 18‌. Apple competitor Google is also working to upgrade Google Assistant with language model software able to handle more complex tasks, so Apple may want to beat Google to the punch or at least launch similar functionality around the same time.

Apple's ‌Siri‌ personal assistant has long been criticized for being notably behind voice assistants from other companies like Google and Alexa, primarily due to Apple's focus on security and privacy. Many ‌Siri‌ tasks are performed on-device rather than through a cloud server, so Apple will need to find a balance between privacy and functionality with the adoption of language models for ‌Siri‌.

The iOS 17 update that is set to see a public release in just a couple of weeks has very little in the way of new Siri functionality, but there is key functionality that would be a precursor to multi-step tasks. ‌Siri‌ in ‌iOS 17‌ able to recognize and respond to multiple back-to-back requests without needing to be reactivated, something not possible in iOS 16. You can, for example, ask ‌Siri‌ the time and follow that up with a request to text your friend that you're going to be late without two separate requests.

With ‌iOS 17‌, Apple is also eliminating the "Hey" wake word, so you are now able to just say "‌Siri‌" to activate the personal assistant. Eliminating "Hey" allows for more natural ‌Siri‌ interactions.

Apple follows a strict schedule for its software releases, so we can expect to see ‌iOS 18‌'s feature set unveiled at the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference.

Apple has significantly ramped up its spending on artificial intelligence, according to a new report from The Information that highlights Apple's AI and machine learning research.

Though Apple's AI chief John Giannandrea is said to be skeptical of AI chatbots, he established a team that is working on conversational AI four years ago. We have heard prior rumors about "Apple GPT" from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman in July said that Apple was experimenting with large language models, and some Apple employees have access to an "Ajax" internal chatbot.

With the 2022 debut of OpenAI's ChatGPT, chatbots suddenly became the must-have feature. Microsoft and Google have both launched chatbots, but there are so far no signs that Apple has a consumer-oriented product launching in the near future.

Apple's "Foundational Models" team that works on conversational AI includes just 16 people, but Apple is spending millions of dollars per day training its language models. Training large language models requires a lot of hardware, and as an example, OpenAI Sam Altman said the company spent more than $100 million for GPT-4.

According to The Information, Apple has other AI goals. The company is aiming to develop a feature that would allow a voice assistant like Siri to automate multi-step tasks. That functionality is available on the iPhone today, but workflows must be manually set up using the Shortcuts app.

The ‌Siri‌ team could have multi-step voice-controlled automation ready for use in iOS 18.

Apple also appears to have AI teams that are working on software to generate videos and images and multimodal AI that works with images, video, and text. The aforementioned Ajax chatbot that Apple is working with is supposedly more capable than the original ChatGPT 3.5 and has been trained on 200 billion parameters, but OpenAI's newer models are more powerful.