MacRumors

Amazon today has a large collection of Apple Watch Series 9 models on sale at all-time low prices, including both GPS and cellular devices. It's been a few weeks since we last tracked any notable markdowns on the Series 9, so if you've been waiting for a deal now is definitely the time to buy the wearable.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

You can get up to $100 off most Apple Watch Series 9 models right now on Amazon, starting at $299.00 for the 41mm GPS watches. We've rounded up all of the deals in lists below, focusing on the aluminum devices, but you can also find $100 discounts on a few stainless steel models as well.

All of the Apple Watch Series 9 devices in this sale lack the Blood Oxygen feature that were available on models prior to the sales ban that began in the United States back in January. The sales ban covers any Apple Watch model with blood oxygen sensing, and since it began most retailers continued to sell through their stock of devices that still supported the feature.

Now that it's been a few months, retailers like Amazon are starting to see their stock dwindle on Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models with blood oxygen support. Other than this, the Apple Watch Series 9 is the exact same as it was when it launched, the new models just have blood oxygen disabled.

41mm GPS

• (PRODUCT)RED Aluminum with (PRODUCT)RED Sport Band - $299.99, down from $399.00
• Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band - $299.00, down from $399.00
• Silver Aluminum Case with Storm Blue Sport Band - $299.99, down from $399.00
• Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band - $299.00, down from $399.00
• Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Loop - $299.00, down from $399.00
• Silver Aluminum Case with Winter Blue Sport Loop - $299.00, down from $399.00
• Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Loop - $299.00, down from $399.00

45mm GPS

• (PRODUCT)RED Aluminum with (PRODUCT)RED Sport Band - $329.99, down from $429.00
• Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band - $329.00, down from $429.00
• Pink Aluminum Case with Light Pink Sport Band - $329.00, down from $429.00
• Silver Aluminum Case with Storm Blue Sport Band - $329.00, down from $429.00
• Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band - $329.00, down from $429.00
• Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Loop - $329.00, down from $429.00
• Pink Aluminum Case with Light Pink Sport Loop - $329.00, down from $429.00
• Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Loop - $329.00, down from $429.00

41mm Cellular

• (PRODUCT)RED Aluminum with (PRODUCT)RED Sport Band - $399.00, down from $499.00
• Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band - $399.00, down from $499.00
• Pink Aluminum Case with Light Pink Sport Band - $399.00, down from $499.00
• Silver Aluminum Case with Storm Blue Sport Band - $399.99, down from $499.00
• Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band - $399.00, down from $499.00
• Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Loop - $399.99, down from $499.00
• Pink Aluminum Case with Light Pink Sport Loop - $399.99, down from $499.00
• Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Loop - $399.00, down from $499.00

45mm Cellular

• (PRODUCT)RED Aluminum with (PRODUCT)RED Sport Band - $429.99, down from $529.00
• Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band - $429.00, down from $529.00
• Pink Aluminum Case with Light Pink Sport Band - $429.99, down from $529.00
• Silver Aluminum Case with Storm Blue Sport Band - $429.00, down from $529.00
• Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band - $429.99, down from $529.00
• Pink Aluminum Case with Light Pink Sport Loop - $429.99, down from $529.00
• Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Loop - $429.99, down from $529.00

Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.

Apple is expected to announce iOS 18 in one week from now, and the update is rumored to include many new features for the Messages app on the iPhone.

iOS 18 is set to be unveiled during the WWDC keynote on June 10, and the first beta should be made available to members of the Apple Developer Program immediately after the presentation. The first public beta of iOS 18 will likely follow in July, and the update should be widely released to all users with a compatible iPhone in September.

Below, we recap what to expect from the Messages app on iOS 18.

RCS Support

Last year, Apple announced that it would support the cross-platform messaging standard RCS (Rich Communication Services) in the Messages app starting "later" in 2024, so it will likely be an iOS 18 feature based on that timeframe.

RCS support should result in the following improvements to the default messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices:

• Higher-resolution photos and videos
• Audio messages
• Typing indicators
• Read receipts
• Wi-Fi messaging
• Improved group chats, including the ability for iPhone users to leave a conversation that includes Android users

These features are already available for iMessage conversations with blue bubbles, and RCS will extend the capabilities to green bubbles over both Wi-Fi and cellular networks. It is expected that SMS will remain available as a fallback option.

Per-Word Effects

Apple plans to add a per-word text effects option to the Messages app on iOS 18, multiple sources familiar with the matter told MacRumors.

While it is already possible to send iMessages with entire-bubble or full-screen effects, such as invisible ink or confetti, the text effects would allow you to animate individual words within a message. Our hope is that Apple will also add bold, italics, and underline formatting options, but we have not confirmed that possibility.

Suggested Replies

iOS 18 will add AI-generated suggested replies to the Messages app, according to Bloomberg and AppleInsider. This feature would analyze recent messages in a conversation and provide a few suggested replies that users could tap on to send.

Custom Emoji

Another rumored AI-powered feature is the option to send custom emoji that are automatically generated based on the context of recent messages.

Message Recaps

iOS 18 is rumored to provide AI-generated recaps of information from several apps, including recent messages received in the Messages app.

New Tapback Icons

Tapback icons (the heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, "haha," exclamation marks, and question mark that can be added to messages) may be redesigned on iOS 18, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said in his latest Power On newsletter.

Apple has seemingly updated its tech specs webpage for the latest M2 iPad Air models to indicate the M2 chip has a 9-core GPU, rather than 10 cores as previously stated.

The change was first reported by 9to5Mac. Based on available web snapshots, the update to Apple's US website was made within the last 10 days. However, the equivalent webpage on many of Apple's regional stores still lists the M2 iPad Air as having a 10-core GPU.

Apple's press release originally announcing the product on its Newsroom also mirrors the original 10-core spec, as does support documentation for the device.

Apple has not commented on the change, which, if accurate, makes the new iPad Air the first M2-based Apple device with a 9-core GPU. Since the change went live on Apple's site, the going theory is that Apple's processor yield of 10-core chips was not sufficient, so it is using a "binned" version of the 10-core chip with one of the GPU cores disabled. The practice of "binning" is sometimes used to optimize processor yields and reduce waste.

In all likelihood, every M2 iPad Air model that Apple has sold includes a 9-core GPU, and Apple is simply updating its product information for accuracy. Any real-world performance difference between an M2 iPad Air with a 9-core versus a 10-core GPU would have arguably been unnoticeable to most users. Even so, some customers will probably want to know why Apple's marketing materials were mistaken.

Justin Long, the face of Apple's iconic "I'm a Mac" commercials, now stars in a short Qualcomm skit promoting Snapdragon-powered PCs.

At the Computex 2024 keynote, Qualcomm unveiled the new skit featuring Long, who is well-known for his role in Apple's "Get a Mac" commercials nearly two decades ago. Long is depicted as being overwhelmed by a barrage of notifications about app compatibility, low disk space, and battery issues in macOS, prompting him to search for an alternative in the form of a Windows on ARM PC. The ad concludes with Long stating, "Things change," a sentiment echoed by Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon during the event's closing remarks. Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chips debut in new Copilot Plus PCs on June 18.

Long's participation in the skit is the latest development in a series of marketing strategies where tech companies use his association with the "I'm a Mac" persona to promote their products. The trend began in 2017 when Huawei featured Long in an ad for its Mate 9 smartphone. In 2021, Intel also employed Long to create commercials that praised PCs and mocked various aspects of Apple's M1 MacBooks, including the Touch Bar and its limited color options.

Apple launched the original "Get a Mac" ad campaign in 2006. Long played a personified Mac, characterized as easygoing and efficient, while John Hodgman portrayed a PC, depicted as conformist and prone to problems like viruses and system crashes. The ads ran for three years and consisted of 66 different commercials, although Long revealed in 2019 that approximately 300 were filmed.

Sonos in May decided to get into the headphone market with the launch of the Sonos Ace headphones. The $449 Sonos Ace headphones have some enticing design elements and features you won't see in Apple's headphones, so we thought we'd compare them to the $549 AirPods Max to see which is ultimately better.

In terms of design, both the Sonos Ace and ‌AirPods Max‌ are over-ear headphones that have a premium look, but the ‌AirPods Max‌ have a fancier feel because of the aluminum material. While Apple opted for brushed aluminum ear cups in a range of colors, Sonos went for recycled plastic in either black or white.

Both have a minimal aesthetic, but the lack of aluminum makes the Sonos Ace lighter and more comfortable to wear. The ‌AirPods Max‌ are 13.6 ounces, and the Sonos Ace weigh 11 ounces. Two ounces might not sound like a lot, but it impacts comfort. The ‌AirPods Max‌ also tend to clamp tightly to the head, which the Sonos Ace don't do, so it's just easier overall to wear the Sonos Ace with the gentler fit.

The ear cups on the Sonos Ace are made from memory foam covered with vegan leather, and Apple's ear cups are made from a mesh acoustic fabric that's supposed to better conduct sound than other materials. The soft Sonos Ace ear cups will probably be more comfortable for most people, but there might be less breathability just because of the nature of the fabric. Apple created a u-shaped mesh headband with telescoping arms, while the Sonos Ace uses the same vegan leather material also with telescoping arms.

You can't fold the ‌AirPods Max‌, and you also can't fold the Sonos Ace, but Sonos made a better case. It's slim, light, and offers full protection, unlike the unpopular case Apple offers with the ‌AirPods Max‌.

Sound quality is similar, but the Sonos app has an adjustable EQ for tweaking sound to your liking, which is something that can't be done on the ‌AirPods Max‌. Both support spatial audio and Dolby Atmos, and Sonos' spatial audio is just as impressive as Apple's. The Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency options perform close to the same, and while Apple has the best Transparency mode, Sonos is right behind.

You can pair the ‌AirPods Max‌ and the Sonos Ace to a TV set, but for the AirPods you'll need a $129 Apple TV, and for the Sonos Ace, you'll need the Arc Soundbar, which is $719. Sonos plans to add Ace integration to its other soundbars, but none are cheap.

Both pair to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac with no additional hardware, but you get better connectivity with the ‌AirPods Max‌ thanks to fast switching and one tap pairing. It's more of a hassle to pair the Sonos Ace because it uses standard Bluetooth with no automatic pairing via iCloud, so when you're changing devices, you'll need to manually reconnect.

Sonos' headphones are several years newer than the ‌AirPods Max‌ at this point, and battery technology has improved. The ‌AirPods Max‌ only offer 20 hours of battery life with ANC and spatial audio turned on, while the Sonos Ace offer 30 hours of battery. Apple also hasn't updated the ‌AirPods Max‌ with USB-C, so they're still using the Lightning port that's being phased out. Unless you want to have to use a Lightning port for several more years, it's best to go with the Ace, another set of headphones, or wait for the ‌AirPods Max‌ USB-C refresh that's supposed to be coming later this year.

Sonos priced the Ace $100 cheaper than the ‌AirPods Max‌, but it's pretty easy to find the ‌AirPods Max‌ at a discount these days. If you can live without quick pairing, automatic switching, and the Apple aesthetic, the Sonos Ace offer the same sound quality and ANC, plus they're more comfortable.

Do you prefer the ‌AirPods Max‌ or the Sonos Ace? Let us know in the comments below.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Apple's upcoming iPhone 16 Pro models will have the thinnest bezels of any smartphone, beating the screen border thinness of even its latest iPhone 15 Pro devices. That's according to the leaker known as "Ice Universe," who has divulged accurate information about Apple's plans in the past.

According to multiple sources, despite minimal design changes, both iPhone 16 Pro models will increase in size this year. The iPhone 16 Pro is said to be 6.3 inches (up from 6.1), while the iPhone 16 Pro Max is expected to measure in at 6.9 inches (up from 6.7), potentially making it Apple's biggest iPhone ever.

But it seems that Apple isn't just relying on larger physical dimensions to make the viewing experience more immersive. According to Ice Universe, this year's Pro models will also have reduced bezels that could be the thinnest yet seen on any smartphone, including those on the Samsung Galaxy S24.

The breakthrough for achieving this could be Apple's rumored use of Border Reduction Structure (BRS) technology, which allows for a more compact and efficient layout of the circuitry under the display, resulting in even slimmer bezels. Ice Universe did not mention BRS, but two rumors out of Asia have referenced the technology in relation to iPhone 16 models.

• 5 Biggest Changes Rumored for iPhone 16 Pro Max

Last year, Apple reduced the bezels on iPhone 15 Pro models using low-injection pressure over-molding, or LIPO, to shrink the display border size to 1.5 millimeters (versus around 2.2 millimeters on iPhone 14 models). Besides that, Apple has not significantly tweaked iPhone screen sizes since the introduction of the ‌‌iPhone‌‌ 12 models in 2020. But as mentioned, things are set to change with the Pro models in the 2024 iPhone 16 lineup.

Amazon today has Apple's AirPods 2, AirPods 3 with Lightning Charging Case, and AirPods Pro 2 on sale, with up to $59 in savings on these earbuds. For the AirPods 3, this is the first time we've tracked a discount on the device in about a month.

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.

The AirPods 2 are on sale for $89.00, down from $129.00, and the AirPods 3 with Lightning Charging Case are on sale for $139.99, down from $169.00. This discount on the AirPods 2 isn't quite an all-time low price, but it's still a good deal on the headphones that's about $10 higher compared to the typical record low price.

If you're looking for a Pro model, Amazon also has the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C on sale for $189.99, down from $249.00. This is another solid second-best price on the AirPods, and similar to the other models it'll arrive between June 4 and June 8, depending on shipping speed.

Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman does not expect Apple to announce any new hardware during its WWDC 2024 keynote on June 10.

"There's no hardware slated to be announced at WWDC, unless Apple unexpectedly previews a new device launching later (to be clear: I don't expect that)," said Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today.

Notably, Gurman now says a new Apple TV model "isn't imminent," despite previously reporting that Apple was aiming to release a new Apple TV in the first half of 2024. The current Apple TV was introduced in October 2022.

Here is when the previous five Apple TV models were announced:

• Third-generation Apple TV 4K: October 2022
• Second-generation Apple TV 4K: April 2021
• First-generation Apple TV 4K: September 2017
• Apple TV HD: September 2015
• Third-generation Apple TV: March 2012

The next Apple TV is rumored to feature a faster processor than the current A15 Bionic chip, and even lower pricing. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that the next Apple TV could have a $99 starting price in the U.S., down from $129 currently.

No major design changes have been rumored for the next Apple TV specifically, but Gurman said Apple has considered adding a built-in camera to a future model. tvOS 17 added a FaceTime app to the Apple TV, allowing for users to have video calls on the TV, but this currently requires using the rear camera on a connected iPhone or iPad.

Best Buy has a huge collection of discounts on Apple's MacBook Air this weekend, including both the previous generation M2 models from 2022 and the brand new M3 computers that launched this year. In regards to the M2 models, you'll find the best deals at Amazon.

M2 MacBook Air

Amazon today has every model of the 2022 13-inch MacBook Air available for $170 off, representing new all-time low prices on the notebooks. These prices are available to all shoppers and do not require a coupon code.

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.

The 256GB model is on sale for $829.00 and the 512GB model is available for $1,029.00. These deals beat the previous prices we tracked earlier in the year by about $50.

You can get both models in all four colors: Starlight, Space Gray, Silver, and Midnight. Following the introduction of the M3 MacBook Air, Apple knocked the price of the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air down by $100, and it's still selling them alongside the M3 model.

M3 MacBook Air

You can find all-time low prices across the 15-inch M3 MacBook Air lineup at Best Buy, including up to $100 off these 2024 computers. Prices start at $1,199.00 for the 256GB model, and include both 512GB versions of the computer as well.

Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.

Update: We've updated the M2 MacBook Air section with new record low prices from Amazon.

WWDC month is here! Rumors about what we may see at Apple's annual developer conference have been building for months, and now we're just days away from the keynote event where Apple will unveil what it has in store for iOS 18, macOS 15, and more.

Apple's Beats brand also has some new products that should be launching shortly, while Apple has finally made refurbished iPhone 14 models available at a discount for those looking to save some cash, so read on below for all the details!

Apple Shares WWDC 2024 Schedule, Including Keynote Time

Apple's five-day developers conference WWDC is just over a week away, and the schedule for biggest sessions of the event is now available.

Apple's keynote will kick things off on June 10 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, with iOS 18 and other major software updates expected to be announced.

Apple Now Selling Refurbished iPhone 14 Models

Apple this week began selling refurbished iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max models in the U.S. and some other countries for the first time since the devices were released in September 2022. The models quickly sold out, but inventory should be replenished over time.

Apple's refurbished iPhones come with a new battery, outer shell, and box, along with a charging cable.

These 10 New AI Features Are Reportedly Coming in iOS 18

iOS 18 is widely rumored to add a wide range of new AI features to the iPhone, and a new report has provided more details about what to expect.

The new features will allegedly include AI-powered photo retouching, voice memo transcription, suggested replies to emails and messages, auto-generated custom emojis based on the content of a user's messages, improved Safari web search, and much more.

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, Dan and Hartley discuss a wide array of rumors about iOS 18 across Apple's built-in apps and beyond.

What to Expect From CarPlay on iOS 18

iOS 18 will include some new features for Apple's in-vehicle software system CarPlay.

In a press release earlier this month, Apple highlighted three new accessibility features coming to CarPlay as part of the update, including Sound Recognition, Voice Control, and Color Filters. In addition, Apple's website says the first vehicles with next-generation CarPlay will arrive in 2024, so that rollout could coincide with iOS 18.

Beats Solo Buds Available to Order June 18, Launch June 20

Beats Solo Buds were first announced in April, and now Apple has shared availability details.

Apple says the Solo Buds will be available to order on June 18, and launch on June 20. Priced at $79.99, the wireless earbuds feature up to 18 hours of battery life, a USB-C carrying case, and Find My support on iOS and Android. However, they lack active noise cancellation, and the carrying case does not have a built-in battery.

New Beats Pill Speaker Listed on Apple's Regulatory Website

After appearing alongside famous athletes, in iOS 17.5 code, and in the FCC database, a new Beats Pill speaker has now been listed on Apple's regulatory compliance website for Europe.

Apple discontinued the previous Beats Pill+ speaker in 2022. The new version is likely to feature a USB-C charging port, support for a newer Bluetooth version, a built-in lanyard option, longer battery life, and more.

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.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

Rumors from multiple reliable sources suggest that Apple is working on a MacBook that has a foldable screen, and it could in fact be Apple's first foldable device, coming before a foldable iPhone. We've rounded up six key features that we've heard about the device so far.

Design

The all-display design of the foldable MacBook would be distinct from the current MacBook, which has a display and keyboard. It would feature a single large screen that's able to be folded in half.

When unfolded, the MacBook could be used as a monitor when paired with a keyboard and a trackpad or mouse, and when folded, it could serve as a notebook machine. Presumably this kind of design would not have a separate keyboard, instead using an on-screen keyboard with digital keys and haptic feedback for a key-like feel.

Size

Display research analyst Ross Young claims the foldable MacBook will have an 18.8-inch display, with Apple aiming to make the screen "as crease-free as possible" when it is unfolded. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also suggested Apple is planning for a screen around 19 inches.

Display Technology

Apple has been rumored to be working with LG Display to develop a foldable OLED panel, and LG has been developing foldable ultra-thin cover glass for the last several years.

Apple has also tested electronic paper display (EPD) technology that it could use in future foldable devices. EPD could potentially be used in the outer-most display in a foldable device, if Apple goes with some kind of dual display design with an outside and inside screen.

EPD is a form of e-ink technology, which is known for being much more viewable than LED or OLED screens in bright light.

At an 18.8-inch size, the foldable notebook would likely have a 5K or higher resolution.

M-Series Chip

Mass production on foldable display panels for a future MacBook could begin in the fourth quarter of 2025 for a launch in late 2025 or early 2026. That would be timed with the future M5 chip, a successor to the 2024 M4.

We don't know what to expect from the M5, but it is likely to be manufactured on a next-generation 3-nanometer node or even a 2-nanometer node. TSMC is working on 2nm chips, and they're supposed to be ready somewhere around the second half of 2025.

3nm and 2nm reference the architecture that TSMC is using for its chips, and a decrease in node size corresponds to a decrease in transistor size, allowing more transistors to fit on a processor. This often results in faster performance and better energy efficiency. Right now, Apple's M4 chips are built on a 3-nanometer mode, much like the M3 chips.

Price

Apple will need to use high-cost components for the foldable MacBook, and Kuo believes it could be almost as expensive as the $3,500 Vision Pro headset when it launches. The 16-inch MacBook Pro currently starts at $2,500, so presumably the larger foldable model would be more expensive than that.

Release Date

If rumors are accurate and Apple is planning to have LG Display begin mass production on a foldable MacBook in the fourth quarter of 2025, the device could launch in 2025 or 2026. Kuo estimates that Apple will ship more than one million units in 2026.

Apple analyst Ross Young believes that a foldable MacBook could come as soon as 2025, the same timeline suggested by analyst Jeff Pu.

Rumors about a foldable MacBook have been all over the place, however, and just two months prior to suggesting a Q4 2025 mass production schedule, Kuo said a foldable MacBook wouldn't come until 2027. It's best not to read too much into launch date rumors at this point, because Apple's plans could change.

With the upcoming iOS 18 and macOS 15 updates, Apple plans to streamline the Settings app, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman confirmed today. He said that while it's not a "huge deal," there are some changes planned.

The Settings app on iPhone and iPad and the System Settings on Macs will get an updated UI with a "reorganized, cleaner layout" that's simpler to navigate. Search in the Settings app is also set to improve, and that's been a major issue with prior versions of iOS and macOS.

On iOS specifically, searching for an option in the Settings app often returns no results or the wrong result. A search for "Charging Optimization," a setting on the iPhone 15 Pro models, does not bring up the interface, for example. There are several other smaller settings options that are similarly inaccessible when searching.

Part of the changes planned for ‌iOS 18‌ and macOS 15 include major updates to Spotlight and search throughout the operating systems, as well as an overhauled version of Siri that is able to control all individual features in apps. Combined, these updates should make it easier to get to some of the more hidden settings on Apple devices.

A prior rumor suggested that Apple would overhaul the macOS System Settings app, introducing rearranged menus and app UIs in an update that will be the biggest since the Settings app was refreshed in macOS Ventura. On the Mac, Apple is said to be using an organizational system focused on "priority and overall importance," and the same changes could be made on iOS as well.

The Notifications and Sound categories in System Settings will be moved lower in the list, with General settings moved up under Network settings. Wallpaper and Displays will join General settings, and Privacy and Security will be paired with Touch ID and Password.

Apple is also planning to refresh the Control Center on ‌iOS 18‌ and Apple has been testing the changes internally, but specific updates are unclear at this time.

More on the features that are coming to iOS and macOS can be found in our iOS 18 and macOS 15 roundups, which are updated regularly with all of the new rumors that we've heard.

The 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference keynote is set to take place on Monday, June 10, with Apple unveiling ‌iOS 18‌, macOS 15, and also iPadOS 18, tvOS 18, visionOS 2, and watchOS 11.

Apple today made three changes to its vintage and obsolete products list, involving the iPhone 5s, sixth-generation iPod touch, and an older iMac model.

First, Apple now considers the iPhone 5s to be an "obsolete" product worldwide, meaning that Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers no longer offer repairs or other hardware service for the device. Apple says it considers a product "obsolete" once seven years have passed since the company last distributed it for sale.

Apple released the iPhone 5s in September 2013, with its key new feature being the Touch ID fingerprint sensor built into the Home button. The device also introduced the A7 chip, which was Apple's first iPhone chip with 64-bit architecture.

Second, the sixth-generation iPod touch and the late 2015 edition of the 21.5-inch iMac with a Retina 4K display are now classified as "vintage" products, as more than five years have passed since the company stopped distributing the devices for sale. Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers can continue to offer repairs for vintage products for up to two more years, but only if the necessary parts remain available.

The sixth-generation iPod touch was released in 2015, and it was the second-last model of the device. Apple discontinued the iPod touch line in 2022.

For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with GRID Studio to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an iPad Pro. For those unfamiliar with GRID Studio, it is a small company that crafts art out of old, discarded Apple products.

GRID Studio buys and recycles old electronics, taking them apart and arranging each component carefully under a glass frame. Their work turns a hodgepodge of parts into display pieces designed for Apple enthusiasts who want to own a piece of Apple's history.

The $400 GRID 1 is perhaps GRID Studio's most iconic offering, featuring the original Apple iPhone from 2007. The GRID 1 includes all of the components of the first ‌iPhone‌, complete with labeling and interesting facts like all of GRID's pieces. The original ‌iPhone‌'s unmistakable housing is displayed next to the button, headphone socket, speaker, logic board, ear piece, and other components, and it's particularly interesting because it was before the days when Apple started making its own chips.

The GRID 4S is an affordable way to get a piece of GRID Studio's art, as it's on sale for $99 this week. The GRID 4S was the final ‌iPhone‌ that was introduced while Steve Jobs was still alive, and the first ‌iPhone‌ Tim Cook launched without Jobs. The "S" stood for Siri, and it was the first ‌iPhone‌ that included the ‌Siri‌ personal assistant.

For Mac fans, the $600 GRID MacBook Air showcases the first-generation MacBook Air that Apple released, and it is one of GRID Studio's larger pieces at 30 inches by 18.5 inches. At the time, the 2008 ‌MacBook Air‌ was marketed world's thinnest notebook computer, and it is definitely one of Apple's most well-known later-stage Macs.

The GRID ‌MacBook Air‌ has the machine's display at the top, followed by all of the interior components, and then the keyboard and trackpad combo. The hard drive, fan, network card, and MagSafe components are all neatly displayed, and it's a fun look at some vintage components that Apple has long since abandoned.

We have an 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ for one MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner(s) and send the prize(s). You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, following us on Threads, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

The contest will run from today (May 31) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on June 7. The winner will be chosen randomly on or shortly after June 7 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.

Some of the best deals of the last week included steep markdowns on Apple-related accessories from companies like Sonos and Anker, but you'll also find discounts on a number of Apple products. This includes new record low prices on the 10th generation iPad and M2 iPad Air, and a sale on the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

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.

iPad

• What's the deal? Get $49 off the 10th gen iPad
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

The best iPad deal we tracked this week was on the 10th generation iPad, which dropped down to just $299.99 for the 64GB Wi-Fi model, from $349.00. These iPads saw their prices cut by $100 earlier in the month, and deals have been coming in fast ever since those price cuts.

Sonos

• What's the deal? Get up to 25% off Sonos products
• Where can I get it? Sonos
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Sonos began its Father's Day sale this week, offering up to 25 percent off select home theater equipment during the event. You'll find deals on the company's most popular devices including the Arc soundbar, Move 2 speaker, Sub (Gen 3) Subwoofer, and more.

Anker

• What's the deal? Save on popular accessories from Anker and Eufy
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Anker had quite a few discounts as part of its Memorial Day sale earlier this week, and many are still available right now. One highlight of the sale is the best price we've ever seen on the popular Portable Power Station with Smart Display + Retractable Light, available for $94.99 for Prime members and with an on-page coupon, down from $149.99.

In our original article, you'll also find sales on MagSafe-compatible accessories, Bluetooth speakers, and Eufy's Bluetooth trackers.

• Soundcore Motion 300 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker - $64.99 with on-page coupon, down from $79.99
• Nano Power Bank with Built-In USB-C Cable - $34.99 for Prime members, down from $49.99
• MagGo Power Bank - $69.99, down from $89.99
• Prime Power Bank 20,000 mAh with Smart Digital Display - $89.99 for Prime members, down from $129.99
• Prime Power Bank 20,000 mAh with 100W Charging Base - $139.99, down from $184.99
• 3-in-1 MagSafe Charging Cube - $129.99, down from $149.99
• SmartTrack Link 1-Pack - $15.99 for Prime members, down from $19.99
• SmartTrack Link 2-Pack - $29.88, down from $35.99
• SmartTrack Link 4-Pack - $48.99 for Prime members, down from $69.99

M2 iPad Air

• What's the deal? Get up to $80 off the new iPad Air
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon continues to have the best discounts on the new 11-inch and 13-inch M2 iPad Air, with up to $80 in savings on these tablets. A few of these are dwindling in stock as we head into the weekend, so be sure to shop soon if you want to save on Apple's latest iPad Air.

Apple Watch Ultra 2

• What's the deal? Get $85 off the Apple Watch Ultra 2
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Finally, this week saw Amazon expand its sale on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 with a few new models getting an $85 discount. This is a solid second-best price on the high-end wearable, and only Amazon has the deal.

Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss some of the latest rumors about iOS 18, including deeper Home Screen customization, AI-generated emojis, and more.

With ‌iOS 18‌, Siri is expected to undergo a substantial overhaul with improved natural language processing, enabling more conversational interactions and proactive intelligence. The assistant will apparently understand and perform more complex tasks within apps. These tasks range from moving notes between folders and deleting emails to summarizing articles and recent notifications.

Spotlight search will also allegedly see similar enhancements, integrating deeper with system-wide information to provide more intelligent and relevant results. In Messages, AI will suggest responses and create custom emojis based on message content. The Photos app will incorporate AI-powered retouching tools and Apple Music will offer auto-generated playlists and smoother song transitions.

‌iOS 18‌ is also expected to introduce a more customizable ‌Home Screen‌. Users will have the freedom to place app icons anywhere on the grid and change app icon colors.

Safari is expected to gain an Intelligent Search option, summarizing key topics and phrases on web pages, and a new Web Eraser tool, which allows users to remove unwanted portions of websites. The Calculator app will be redesigned to include recent calculations and better unit conversion tools, becoming a universal app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Apple Maps will introduce custom routes and topographic maps, enhancing navigation and outdoor activities.

Accessibility is another focus area for ‌iOS 18‌ with new features like Eye Tracking, which uses the front-facing camera to navigate the interface, and Vehicle Motion Cues, designed to reduce motion sickness. Music Haptics will provide tactile feedback in sync with music, and Vocal Shortcuts will enable users to assign custom phrases for ‌Siri‌ to execute complex tasks.

The adoption of the Rich Communication Services (RCS) standard should improve messaging between iPhones and Android devices with support for higher resolution photos, audio messages, typing indicators, read receipts, and improved group chat functionality.

‌iOS 18‌ is expected to be compatible with all iPhones that support iOS 17, including models as old as the ‌iPhone‌ XR and ‌iPhone‌ XS. However, iPadOS 18 may drop support for older models such as the first-generation 10.5-inch iPad Pro and the second-generation 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌. The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips:

You can also listen to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player.

If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion about Apple's new iPad Air and ‌iPad Pro‌ models, the latest rumors about an all new iPhone 17 "Slim" model, and the newly announced Sonos Ace over-ear headphones.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Kevin Nether, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Luke Miani, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Jon Prosser, Sam Kohl, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.

‌The MacRumors Show‌ is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.

Apple plans to add a new text effects feature to the Messages app on iOS 18, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

While it is already possible to send iMessages with bubble effects or full-screen effects, such as invisible ink or confetti, the text effects would allow you to animate individual words within a message. With the Messages app set to gain RCS support on iOS 18, it is possible the text effects will also work with green bubbles.

Our hope is that Apple will also add bold, italics, and underline formatting options alongside the text effects, but we have not confirmed that possibility.

In addition to the text effects and RCS support, the Messages app on iOS 18 will reportedly gain an AI-powered autocompletion tool.

As a refresher, RCS support will provide an improved messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices compared to the current SMS standard. Just like iMessage, RCS features higher-resolution photos and videos, audio messages, typing indicators, read receipts, the ability to send messages over a Wi-Fi network, and better functionality for group chats.

iOS 18 is set to be unveiled during the WWDC keynote on June 10, and the first beta should be made available to members of the Apple Developer Program immediately after the presentation. The first public beta of iOS 18 will likely follow in July, and the update should be widely released to all users with a compatible iPhone in September.

It's been just over two weeks since the M4 iPad Pro launched, which means it's time for a longer term review of the updated OLED display, AI-focused processor, super thin design, and new accessories that include the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard.

The design of the new ‌iPad Pro‌ is probably the best overall feature, and the drop in weight and thickness makes a difference whether you're traveling or just using the iPad around the house. At 5.1mm, the 13-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ is Apple's thinnest device to date, and a tablet of this size and thickness continues to be impressive. Two weeks on, there's no hint of a "bendgate" thanks to the reinforced rib that Apple included under the hood. There's an argument to be made that some people would have preferred a bigger battery to a slimmer design, of course.

Apple moved the front camera to the landscape side of the ‌iPad Pro‌, and it's a small but notable change. If you use your ‌iPad‌ with a keyboard in landscape orientation but have had to awkwardly turn it to portrait mode for a FaceTime call, this is a tweak you'll appreciate. It's much more natural than treating the ‌iPad‌ like a giant iPhone.

The ‌iPad Pro‌'s OLED display has no competition. It is by far the best display that Apple has introduced in an ‌iPad‌, and you won't find a better tablet display available from competing products, either. Apple used tandem OLED technology (basically stacking two OLED displays on top of each other), and the brightness and contrast are unparalleled. Movies look amazing, the ‌iPad‌ does well in bright lighting, and the HDR makes images pop.

Compared to the prior-generation ‌iPad Pro‌ with mini-LED display, the OLED display is better, but not so much so that it's worth upgrading for that alone. Coming from an LCD, though, the difference is much more notable.

The last ‌iPad Pro‌ with an M2 chip is incredibly fast, and the M4 is even quicker, based on benchmarks. You're not going to find much that's going to max out the M4 processor in day to day usage, but you'll see bigger numbers on benchmarking tests comparing the M4 ‌iPad Pro‌ to the ‌M2‌ ‌iPad Pro‌. Editing videos and creating songs in Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro is super fast with the M4, but it was also super fast with the ‌M2‌. Maybe the M4 chip will shine when iPadOS 18 is updated with a slew of new AI features, but for now, it's overkill.

Apple nixed both the Ultra Wide camera and mmWave 5G in this version of the ‌iPad Pro‌, and most people probably won't miss these features. Whether a 13-inch tablet needs any kind of rear camera is up in the air, and mmWave 5G speeds are still fairly limited in availability. Sub 6GHz 5G remains, and that's plenty fast enough for downloads, watching streaming content, and playing games.

As for accessories, the ‌Apple Pencil‌ Pro is basically the same as the ‌Apple Pencil‌ 2 but with a couple new tricks. You can squeeze to bring up menus so you don't need to go hunting for settings to do things like change line thickness or color, and there's a barrel roll feature that basically does things like vary line thickness when tilting the ‌Apple Pencil‌ so it behaves more like a real writing or drawing tool. Find My might be the most useful addition so you can track down the ‌Apple Pencil‌ if it goes missing, and Haptic Feedback is also nice to have.

The Magic Keyboard is way more Mac like thanks to that larger glass trackpad and the aluminum palm rest. The trackpad is more pleasant to use than before, and the function keys are also a big plus for controlling media, changing screen brightness, and more without having to dig into the Settings app or Control Center.

Unsurprisingly, the ‌iPad Pro‌ is without a doubt Apple's best ‌iPad‌, and it's probably the best tablet on the market. The major downside is the price, with the 11-inch model starting at $999 and the 13-inch model starting at $1299. Those are Mac prices, and while the ‌iPad‌'s hardware is worth it, it's a lot to pay for the limitations that you're stuck with when using iPadOS. There are workflows out there that work with a tablet, but many people aren't going to be able to replace a Mac with an ‌iPad‌.

You also have to shell out for the 1TB+ ‌iPad Pro‌ if you want maximum performance, as the 1TB and 2TB models have an extra CPU core (10 cores vs. 9 cores) and 16GB RAM instead of 8GB.