Top Stories: Apple Watch X Rumors, New Final Cut App for iPhone, and More

The avalanche of news coming out of WWDC earlier this month is finally starting to slow, but that doesn't mean there wasn't still lots to talk about in Apple news and rumors this week.

top stories 22jun2024
This week saw some additional rumors about the upcoming Apple Watch models, the release of major Final Cut Pro updates, the launch of Apple's annual Back to School promo in the U.S. and Canada, new budget-friendly Beats earbuds, and more, so read on below for all the details!

Apple Watch Series 10 Rumored to Feature Larger Screen and Thinner Design

2024 could be a big year for the Apple Watch, with rumors suggesting that Apple plans to unveil a special tenth-anniversary model with a major redesign, just like it did with the iPhone X.

Apple Watch X Feature
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo this week said the tentatively-named "Apple Watch Series 10" (which could end up being named the Apple Watch X or something else) will feature larger 45mm and 49mm screen size options, along with a thinner design.

Kuo also believes the Apple Watch Ultra 3 could be available in a black or dark finish if production is successful. The devices should be unveiled in September alongside the iPhone 16 series.

Final Cut Pro Gets Major Update, New Camera App for iPhone

Major new versions of Apple's professional video creation app Final Cut Pro were released this week for compatible Mac and iPad models. Read our coverage to learn about all of the new features included.

final cut pro ipad
Notably, Apple has released an all-new Final Cut Camera companion app for the iPhone. The app powers the new Live Multicam feature in Final Cut Pro for iPad, and it also works as a standalone video recording app.

Apple's Back to School Sale Launches in U.S. and Canada

Apple's annual Back to School promotion has returned in the U.S. and Canada, offering students and select educational staff a free Apple gift card with the purchase of an eligible new Mac or iPad.

back to school 2024
We have outlined the exact gift card values in our coverage of the sale, which runs through September 30. As usual, the Back to School promotion is on top of Apple's regular educational discounts for students.

These iOS 18 Features Aren't Coming to iPhones Until iOS 18.1 or Later

iOS 18 includes many new features for the iPhone, but not all of them will be available when the update is initially released to the public in September.

Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock
In an article this week, we listed all of the new features and changes that will not be available until a later version of iOS 18, according to Apple's website. These features should begin rolling out with iOS 18.1 in October, followed by iOS 18.2 in December, with more to come next year.

Beats Solo Buds Now Available: 18-Hour Battery and a Tiny Case for $79.99

The new Beats Solo Buds wireless earbuds are now available to order on Apple's online store for delivery, and they can also be purchased in person at select Apple retail stores and resellers around the world.

Beats Solo Buds Hands on 2
Beats Solo Buds feature an affordable $79.99 price, up to 18 hours of battery life, and a compact USB-C carrying case. However, they lack active noise cancellation, and the carrying case does not have a built-in battery.

Apple Seeds First Beta of iOS 17.6

The first betas of iOS 17.6, macOS 14.6, tvOS 17.6, visionOS 1.3, and other software updates are now available for testing.

iOS 17
There is not a whole lot new in the iOS 17.6 beta so far for the iPhone, with only minor changes discovered within the update's code. Apple has already shifted its focus towards iOS 18, which is currently in beta for developers and will be released to the public later this year.

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Top Rated Comments

aidler Avatar
9 months ago
Hopefully, the next generation of the Apple Watch will not be called "X". For obvious reasons, this name is loaded with baggage and leaves a sour aftertaste. A lot has changed since the release of the iPhone X.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Donoban Avatar
9 months ago

Apple Watch X will be interesting for the indicating the foreseeable future of Apple Watch. I still have my series 4 and considering a battery replacement. Then buying a new Apple Watch in 3 years when the new design will have matured… ?

One thing for certain. My series 4 is still a fantastic watch, but when I upgrade I’m sure it will be wow
I started with a series 0 but then each subsequent Apple Watch version kept getting thicker.

I thought I'll hold off until they can ge the size back to the series 0.

Happened when the series 6 came out and I'm still running with it today. Although battery health is now 72% and some of the menus feel a bit slow, it's still working well.

As someone that upgraded from series 0 to 6, the always on screen is nice but it's still the same experience. A notification and Apple Pay device attached to your wrist.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fuzzball84 Avatar
9 months ago

Huh? iPhone X got OS support right up until iOS 16 - only the latest iOS 17 drops support for it. That’s just as much support as most other iOS devices these days. (I’ll bet you iOS 18 drops the Xs, iOS 19 drops the 11, and so on…)

The iPhone X was also a very refined and reliable design. I bought mine on the day of release and used it as my main phone for over 5 years, right up until the end of 2022 when I upgraded to a 13. Great phone.
I also had the iPhone X and I loved it. It truly was a premium phone. I loved the design and the stainless steel… it just looked wow.

In terms of refinement I just wish they had given it 4 GB RAM, was a little lighter… but I guess stainless steel meant that was not possible and it was built like a tank, for robustness. It wasn’t until iPhone XS there was the step up to 4 GB RAM. I think it should have happened at iPhone X. A landmark iPhone should have got that extra RAM for increased longevity. Its processor was otherwise still super fast. It was in 2022 I upgraded to the mini 13… 4 GB RAM, but oh well the last premium small iPhone they offered and I had to jump on that.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ThunderSkunk Avatar
9 months ago
Cool, so I can connect an external drive containing an FCP project & all its media to my phone or ipad and continue work on it on there, any Apple device…. lol
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Reason077 Avatar
9 months ago
A larger screen only makes sense if you make good use of it. On my Series 7, a lot of the UI elements seemed to get shrunk down with watchOS 10?!

Things that used to extend to the edge of the screen (especially watch faces) no longer do, it feels like having a smaller screen than with watchOS 9.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fuzzball84 Avatar
9 months ago

A larger screen only makes sense if you make good use of it. On my Series 7, a lot of the UI elements seemed to get shrunk down with watchOS 10?!

Things that used to extend to the edge of the screen (especially watch faces) no longer do, it feels like having a smaller screen than with watchOS 9.
I wish series 4 had ended support on watchOS 9. watch OS 9 was perfect for it and I absolutely regretted updating to version 10. Now it’s stuck on version 10.

I dunno, a cynical person would suspect it’s a deliberate action to force upgrades ?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)