MacRumors

Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 betas to developers for testing purposes, with the updates coming two weeks after Apple seeded the first betas.

Registered developers are able to opt into the betas by opening up the Settings app, going to the Software Update section, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option, and toggling on the iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 Developer Beta. An Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.

iOS 17.4 introduces sweeping changes to the way the App Store and apps operate in the European Union, paving the way for alternative app marketplaces, alternative payment systems, third-party browser engine support, and NFC access for banks and third-party payment providers. These features are limited to the EU, and won't be available in other countries.

There are, however, changes to gaming apps, and with the launch of iOS 17.4, Apple will be allowing cloud gaming apps like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce NOW. Mini games, chatbots, and plug-ins are also now able to use the in-app purchase system.

Along with these updates, iOS 17.4 adds new emoji characters, transcripts for podcasts in the Podcasts app, support for using SharePlay with the HomePod, Stopwatch Live Activities, and more. Full details on everything new in iOS 17.4 can be found in our iOS 17.4 features article.

Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming watchOS 10.4 update to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming a week after the release of the first watchOS 10.4 beta.

To install the ‌watchOS 10.4‌ update, developers need to open the Apple Watch app, go to the Software Update section under "General" in Settings, and toggle on the watchOS 10 Developer Beta. An Apple ID linked to a developer account is required.

Once beta updates have been activated, watchOS 10.4 can be downloaded under the same Software Update section. To install software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life and it must be placed on an Apple Watch charger.

watchOS 10.4 includes new emoji characters such as a lime, an edible brown mushroom, a phoenix, a broken chain, shaking head vertically (as in a "yes" nod), and shaking head horizontally (a "no" head shake).

There is also a Vision Pro setting to disable the Double Tap feature on Apple Watch, as the hand gestures might interfere.

Apple's new Vision Pro headset can serve as an external display for a Mac, letting you view and control your computer's screen in a visionOS window. The feature can currently be used with only a single Mac display, but analyst Ben Thompson today suggested that Apple has internally tested the ability to use multiple displays.

"I have heard through the grapevine that Vision Pro users at Apple headquarters can project two Mac screens," said Thompson, in his review of the headset.

Apple engineers have access to future visionOS versions, and feature flags that enable extra functionality, so this revelation is certainly believable. However, it's unclear if Apple plans to let the public use the feature with multiple displays.

For now, if your Mac has external displays connected to it, the Vision Pro only shows the main display that you have set in the Mac's System Settings app. While the Vision Pro is showing a Mac's display, the computer's built-in display and any external monitors that are connected to it appear black and cannot be used during that time.

The feature is compatible with any Mac running macOS Sonoma, but the maximum display resolution is limited to 3K for Intel-based Macs.

We're tracking a new record low price on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 today at Best Buy, available for $729.00, down from $799.00. Best Buy has a few models of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 at this best-ever price, including multiple Alpine Loops and Trail Loops.

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.

Shoppers should note that this sale will last today only, and many models have already sold out, so be sure to shop soon if you're interested. Amazon is matching the new best-ever price, with a focus on Trail Loop and Alpine Loop band styles as well.

We've been tracking a lot of Apple Watch deals so far in February, the latest focused on steep discounts on the Apple Watch SE. You can still get the 40mm GPS model for $189.00 and the 44mm GPS model for $219.00 right now on Amazon.

As of last month, a sales ban was reenacted in the United States on any Apple Watch model sold by Apple that has blood oxygen sensing. While Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models purchased directly from Apple currently come with blood oxygen sensing disabled, retailers like Amazon are able to continue selling through their existing stocks that include the feature.

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

Sonos has kicked off its first major sale of 2024, offering up to $340 off select home theater audio equipment through February 11. This includes record low prices on the Sonos Arc soundbar ($719), as well as various discounted bundles, all of which are deals we haven't tracked since the holidays.

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

This sale is mainly focused on Sonos product bundles that should help elevate your home theater setup with various soundbars, subwoofers, and speakers. The only two products available outside of a bundle are the Sonos Arc for $719 ($180 off) and Sonos Sub Gen 3 for $639 ($160 off).

Sonos very rarely offers discounts this steep on its website, so it'll likely be quite a long time before these sales return after this sale ends on February 11. We've accumulated a few of the devices in the sale below, but be sure to browse this landing page on the Sonos website for everything being discounted.

• Arc Soundbar - $719, down from $899
• Arc + Wall Mount Bundle - $798, down from $978
• Arc + Move 2 Speaker Bundle - $1,168, down from $1,348
• Arc + 2x Era 100 Speakers Bundle - $1,217, down from $1,397
• Sub (Gen 3) Subwoofer - $639, down from $799
• Beam + Sub Bundle - $1,138, down from $1,298
• Arc + Sub Bundle - $1,358, down from $1,698
• Beam + Sub + 2x Era 100 Speakers Bundle - $1,636, down from $1,796

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.

The iPhone 16 lineup's new Capture Button will be able to detect multiple levels of pressure to emulate a two-step shutter button from dedicated digital cameras, according to a Weibo leaker.

MacRumors was first to reveal the presence of a new button on the iPhone 16 models called the "Capture Button" last year. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman remarked that the Capture Button will be able to record video and The Information reported that the Capture Button will add features like the ability to zoom in and out by swiping left and right on the button, and focus on a subject with a light press.

Now, the Weibo user "Instant Digital" corroborates that the Capture Button's main function will be to trigger image or video capture, but a light press will enable the user to adjust focus. This is effectively the same functionality found on most DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, where the shutter button features two stages: Pressing it down half way locks in focus or exposure and pressing it down all of the way capture a photo. The leaker added that the debut of the Capture Button reinforces the iPhone's pivot toward photography.

As explained in an early look at the iPhone 16 prototypes, the Capture Button will be located on the bottom right side of the ‌iPhone 16‌. It will take the place of the mmWave antenna on U.S. ‌iPhone‌ models, with the mmWave antenna to be relocated to the left side of the device below the volume and Action buttons. Non-U.S. models do not have a mmWave antenna that needs to be relocated in order to accommodate the Capture Button.

Instant Digital has a mixed track record in terms of revealing accurate information about Apple's plans. The source was first to report the iPhone 14's Yellow spring refresh, Spatial Video capture on the iPhone 15 Pro, and the Apple Watch Series 9's minor hardware update, as well as being the only source of the only rumor claiming that the ‌iPhone 15‌ and ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus would feature frosted back glass. However, they also made claims about several iOS 17 features and the release of a new iPad Air in October 2023 that did not pan out.

Apple Vision Pro owners have been warned by the U.S. Department of Transportation not to use the headset when at the wheel of a car, even if their vehicle has a semi-autonomous driving mode, because of the obvious danger it poses to themselves and others.

U.S. Secretary for Transport Pete Buttigieg took to X (formerly Twitter) to warn drivers that all current vehicles require the driver to be engaged "at all times."

The warning came after videos of drivers wearing Apple's newly launched spatial computing headset went viral on social media, one of which Buttigieg reposted.

Another video showed a man appearing to get pulled over by the police while wearing the headset in a Tesla. The driver later admitted to Gizmodo that it was a "skit" made with the help of friends, and yet incredibly he reportedly "drove with the headset for 30-40 seconds." Vision Pro has passthrough video, but overlays interactive virtual content onto physical space, which is clearly going to be distracting for a driver.

Apple in its Vision Pro support documentation cautions users to "never use the device while operating a moving vehicle, bicycle, heavy machinery, or in any other situations requiring attention to safety." Apple says to use Vision Pro outside "only in controlled environments."

Avoid situations that could cause you to trip and fall, like uneven terrain, or obstacles that you could collide with. If you are outside, avoid extreme temperatures, rain, fog, or moisture of any kind. Apple Vision Pro shouldn’t be used near roadways or areas where moving objects present a collision risk.

Apple Vision Pro launched in the U.S. on Friday, and there are already several YouTube videos of people wearing the headset while skateboarding along busy streets, walking around airport terminals, using the subway, and navigating other public places.

Apple's price increases for its upcoming iPad Pro models with OLED displays could be up to $160, which is substantially lower than early reports have predicted, claims DigiTimes.

Apple's current 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $799, while the 12.9-inch model with a mini-LED display starts at $1,099. Previous reports have claimed that the pricing for the next-generation 11-inch ‌OLED ‌iPad‌ Pro‌ could start at $1,500, while the 13-inch model might start at $1,800.

One report even quoted up to $2,000 for the larger model, although this could be referring to a higher storage tier available for the 13-inch.

DigiTimes does not cite a source for the $160 price increase figure, but if it is accurate or even approximately correct, that could see the starting price of Apple's 11-inch OLED iPad Pro remain under $1,000, with the 13-inch variant starting at around $1,200 to $1,300.

The increase in cost is attributed to the OLED panels, which Apple has not used in iPads before. OLED panels are more expensive to source than LCD panels, and Apple's specific requirements for the screens, such as a very thin design using a tandem-stack design, contribute to the higher cost of these OLED panels compared to others on the market.

On the plus side, OLED technology not only improves display longevity and efficiency but also allows for higher brightness levels. Apple is sourcing these OLED panels from Samsung and LG Display, who are rumored to be developing these special two-stack tandem OLED panels specifically for Apple.

The new iPad Pro models are expected to be powered by Apple's latest M3 chips. MagSafe charging is a possibility for the upcoming devices, and they are also likely to be accompanied by a refreshed version of the Magic Keyboard that includes a larger trackpad to make the ‌iPad Pro‌ look more like a laptop than the current models.

New ‌iPad Air‌ and ‌‌iPad Pro‌‌ models and accompanying accessories are expected to launch around the end of March. For everything else we know about the forthcoming ‌iPad Pro‌ models, be sure to check out our dedicated roundup.

Apple's Vision Pro headset will be released in China as early as April and "no later than May," according to supply chain sources quoted by Asia's Wall Street News (via IT Home).

According to the report, the registration process for the device at China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is nearing completion, which will pave the way for the Vision Pro's launch in the country, although unit availability is initially expected to be tight.

Officially, Apple has said that following its recent U.S. launch on February 2, Apple Vision Pro will be coming to more countries later in the year, though the company has so far stopped short of saying which countries and when exactly.

According to insider sources at Apple cited by Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, the launch of Vision Pro in other countries around the world will not "actually be that much later" than its release in the United States.

Apple is discussing the United Kingdom and Canada as two of the first international markets to get the mixed reality headset this year, according to Gurman.

Soon after, Apple is said to be looking at bringing the Vision Pro to the rest of Europe as well as Asia, with Apple engineers working to localize the device for France, Germany, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple will likely launch its Vision Pro headset outside the United States before Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2024. Kuo bases his prediction on information that suggests Apple plans to share new details about visionOS – the device's operating system – with developers around the globe at its upcoming developers conference.

China-based companies account for over 60% of Apple's Vision Pro supply chain, according to DigiTimes. Luxshare is said to be the exclusive assembler of the Vision Pro, with Chinese lens manufacturer Lens Technology being the exclusive supplier of the headset's laminated front glass. Batteries, speakers, and sensor modules are also all sourced from China.

Significantly, Apple may be forced to change the name of its new mixed reality headset in China unless it can come to an agreement with Huawei, which already owns the "Vision Pro" trademark in the country. The trademark was originally granted to Huawei on May 16, 2019, and gives the company exclusive rights to its use in China from November 28, 2021 to November 27, 2031.

Huawei actively uses the trademark in China, and offers a number of products under the Vision name, including smart TVs and smart glasses. If Apple intends to sell its headset in China and call it Vision Pro, it may have to enter into negotiations with Huawei to release the trademark for a price.

Apple is widely expected to bring a microLED display to the Apple Watch Ultra, but a new report out of Korea suggests the company may not have the supply chain configured early enough to launch the device by 2026.

Throughout last year, Taiwanese research firm TrendForce predicted a 2026 launch timeframe for the device. That's later than several other sources, which have centered on 2025. However, according to The Elec, problems relating to high manufacturing costs and production yields remain the biggest obstacles to mass production of the microLED Apple Watch Ultra and could even delay the release beyond 2026.

Apple has reportedly been working on custom microLED display technology for almost a decade. The advanced display offers improved brightness, color reproduction, dynamic range, viewing angles, and efficiency, making images look more like they are "painted" atop the display glass.

The current Apple Watch Ultra has a display size of 1.93-inches, whereas the upcoming microLED model is expected to feature a 2.12-inch screen. Apple's problem is that the cost of manufacturing a screen with such a high pixel density is still considered prohibitive for a device that currently sells for $799. According to the report, simulation yields indicate a 2.12-inch screen costs as much as $150, which is four times the cost of producing the existing OLED display ($38). As a benchmark, consumer sales of products with a panel price of $150 are usually around $1,500.

For example, $150 is more expensive than it costs to make the OLED displays for the 6.1-inch and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15, which are $80 and $120, respectively. In terms of the cost of the panel right now, the microLED Apple Watch Ultra would have a higher price tag than Apple's latest premium iPhones. The issue is so problematic that even a 2027 release for the device could be overly optimistic, claims today's report.

Apple is said to have plans to replace all of its existing LCD, OLED, and mini-LED panels with microLED in the long term, with the technology being designed to be scaled up from the Apple Watch to the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro headset. The project is part of Apple's plan to reduce its reliance on Samsung as a supplier while reaping benefits from engineering its own displays in-house. But unless the company can get all its ducks in a row on the component supply chain side, microLED adoption could still be some way off.

Apple Vision Pro owners who forget the passcode they set will need to take the device to an Apple retail location to get it reset, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. There is apparently no on-device way to reset a Vision Pro passcode if it is forgotten.

By default, the Vision Pro asks for a six-digit passcode when it is being set up, which must be entered twice. Customers can opt for a longer or shorter passcode. Optic ID can be used in lieu of a passcode, but it works like Face ID or Touch ID, and the passcode is required after a restart and in certain other situations.

Customers who have forgotten their Vision Pro passcodes have been told by Apple that they will need to visit a retail store for a fix or will need to ship the headset to Apple if there isn't a nearby store. Like Apple's iOS devices, the incorrect passcode cannot be entered too many times or the device will be disabled, with a waiting period before a passcode can be entered again. Removing the passcode requires erasing all content on the Vision Pro.

The iPhone and iPad also must be erased to get rid of a passcode, but it is a process that can be done at home with a Mac or PC. The Apple Watch, which cannot connect to a Mac or PC, can be reset on the device itself using the Digital Crown or on a connected ‌iPhone‌.

There is an erase content setting on the Vision Pro, but there is no way to get into the reset mode using a combination of button presses. Erasing Vision Pro can only be done through the Settings app.

Customers who have the $300 Developer Strap may be able to wipe the device from a Mac, but most users will not be able to get this accessory as it is limited to registered developers in the United States.

Apple appears to be internally testing an iOS 17.3.1 update for the iPhone, based on evidence of the software version in our website's analytics logs this week.

Our logs have revealed the existence of several iOS 17 versions before Apple released them, ranging from iOS 17.0.3 to iOS 17.2.1, so there is a good chance that Apple will follow through with releasing iOS 17.3.1.

iOS 17.3.1 should be a minor update that addresses software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. iOS 16.3.1 was released on February 13 last year, and iOS 15.3.1 was released on February 10 in 2022, so it is likely that iOS 17.3.1 will be released within the next week or so if Apple sticks to a similar timeframe as in the past few years.

A larger iOS 17.4 update remains in beta testing with many new features, including major changes to the App Store in the EU, Apple Podcasts transcripts, SharePlay for the HomePod, new emoji, preparations for the launch of next-generation CarPlay later this year, and more. In a press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 17.4 will be released in March.

Honda recently announced that owners of 2018-2022 Accord models in the U.S. are now eligible for a wireless Apple CarPlay upgrade option for a fee.

The update can be completed at any Honda dealership in the U.S. for a suggested price of $112, plus a labor fee, according to the announcement. Eligible customers can book a service appointment on their local Honda dealership's website.

Approximately 631,000 Accords with wired-only CarPlay are eligible for the upgrade, said Honda.

"Enhancing the ownership experience and market value of Honda vehicles already in use is a key strategy in pursuit of our goal to have zero environmental impact by 2050," said Honda's sustainability vice president Jay Joseph.

The upgrade also adds wireless Android Auto.

The Apple Vision Pro App Store launched without a few key apps, such as Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify. A YouTube app could be coming in the future, though, according to a statement the company gave to The Verge.

YouTube says that it is "excited" by the Vision Pro launch and that an app is on the company's roadmap, but no timing was provided. YouTube's full statement:

We're excited to see Vision Pro launch and we're supporting it by ensuring YouTube users have a great experience in Safari. We do not have any specific plans to share at this time, but can confirm that a Vision Pro app is on our roadmap.

YouTube and parent company Google have sometimes taken years to adopt new Apple features, so it is entirely unclear when we might actually see a YouTube app for the device. In the meantime, Apollo developer Christian Selig has created an app called "Juno" for watching YouTube on the Vision Pro. Alternatively, YouTube videos can be watched from the Safari browser.

Neither Juno nor YouTube on the web work allow Vision Pro owners to watch YouTube's collection of 360 and 3D videos. An Apple spokesperson told The Verge that this is because the content "was created for devices that do not deliver a high-quality spatial experience."

In some cases, this content could also cause motion discomfort. We've focused our efforts on delivering the best spatial media experience possible including spatial photos and videos, Apple Immersive Video, and 3D movies available on Apple TV.

There is no word on whether YouTube's eventual app will work with its 3D content.

Apple did say that it is working on supporting WebXR content which could eventually allow for YouTube VR videos to be viewable on the web using Safari, but it is still a new standard. WebXR doesn't yet "take full advantage of the power, performance and interaction capabilities of ‌Apple Vision Pro‌ and visionOS," but Apple is contributing to W3C web standards including WebXR.

We're just over one week away from Valentine's Day, which falls on Wednesday, February 14, this year. Similar to years past, many third-party Apple resellers and accessory companies have opened up notable discounts on Apple products and accessories to coincide with the holiday.

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.

Additionally, there are a few solid discounts on Apple products like the iPhone 15, AirPods, Apple Watch, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and iPad. In this article you'll find deals from third-party retailers collected first, including special Valentine's Day themed sales from AT&T, ZAGG, Belkin, eBay, and more.

Valentine's Accessory Sales

• Best Buy - Purchase $100 Apple gift card, get a $10 Best Buy e-gift card
• Anker - Bundle gifts up to 20% off
• Sonos - Save up to $340 on soundbars, speakers, and subwoofers
• AT&T - iPhone 15 Pro at no cost with eligible trade-in
• Samsung - Get up to $750 instant trade-in credit with purchase of new Galaxy S24 smartphones
• Twelve South - Buy one, get one 20% off
• ZAGG - Save 30% off your entire cart when you purchase two or more products
• Belkin - Save 20% sitewide with code VDAY24
• Casely - Save up to 50% sitewide
• eBay - Save up to 60% on tech, home, and more
• ESR - Buy two, get 20% off

AirPods

There are quite a few AirPods deals going on in early February on Amazon, including big savings on the AirPods 2, AirPods 3, and AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C. Starting with the cheapest model, the AirPods 2 are available for $89.99, down from $129.00.

The AirPods 3 have dropped to $139.99 on Amazon, down from $169.00. This is the model with the Lightning Charging Case, and this sale is a match of the all-time low price on the AirPods 3.

Finally, Amazon has the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C for $189.99, down from $249.00. This is another match of an all-time low price, and an overall great deal on the newest model of AirPods.

Apple Watch

The best Apple Watch-related deals you can find right now are on the second generation Apple Watch SE. The 40mm GPS Apple Watch SE has hit $189.00 on Amazon, down from $249.00, while the 44mm GPS model is available for $219.00, down from $279.00.

Series 9 deals aren't as steep, but are still notable if you're shopping for an Apple Watch this month. You can get the 41mm GPS Apple Watch Series 9 for $329.00 on Amazon, down from $399.00, and the 45mm GPS model for $359.00, down from $429.00. These prices are being matched at Best Buy.

Finally for Apple Watches, it's worth noting the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is down to an all-time low price of $729.00 on Amazon, down from $799.00. Only the Indigo Alpine Loop in Medium is available at this price.

As of last month, a sales ban was reenacted in the United States on any Apple Watch model sold by Apple that has blood oxygen sensing. While Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models purchased directly from Apple currently come with blood oxygen sensing disabled, retailers like Best Buy are able to continue selling through their existing stocks that include the feature.

iPad

Right now Amazon has Apple's 9th and 10th generation iPad at numerous record low prices, starting at just $249.00 for the 64GB Wi-Fi 9th generation iPad. You can also get the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad for $379.00, which is $100 off and an all-time low price.

There are even more 10th generation iPads on sale on Amazon, with nearly every model getting a best-ever price. This includes both Wi-Fi and cellular tablets, starting at $349.00 for the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad.

Lastly, there are a few iPad mini models on sale on Amazon, but only on the 64GB Wi-Fi model. You can get this tablet in multiple colors for $399.99, down from $499.00, a solid second-best price.

MacBook

There aren't many MacBook Pro and MacBook Air deals right now, but if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook you can still find some solid discounts on Amazon. The most notable MacBook Pro markdown is the 14-inch M3 512GB MacBook Pro for $1,399.00, down from $1,599.00, as well as the M3 Pro 512GB model for $1,799.00, down from $1,99.00.

The 13-inch M1 MacBook Air is available for $749.99 in all three colors on Amazon, which is $249 off and an all-time low price. This is a great entry-level MacBook and perfect for anyone who needs a notebook for simple Internet browsing and checking email.

Apple Accessories

We're tracking a few notable discounts on Apple accessories on Amazon below, as well as a great deal on the MagSafe Duo Charger at Woot.

• AirTag 1 Pack - $24.00, down from $29.00
• MagSafe Charger - $32.99, down from $39.00
• AirTag 4 Pack - $79.00, down from $99.00
• Apple Pencil USB-C - $69.00, down from $79.00
• Apple Pencil 1 - $69.99, down from $99.00
• MagSafe Duo Charger - $79.99, down from $129.00
• iPhone 15 FineWoven Case - $18.69, down from $59.00
• iPhone 15 Silicone Case - $25.55, down from $49.00
• iPhone 15 Plus FineWoven Case - $30.94, down from $59.00
• iPhone 15 Plus Silicone Case - $17.23, down from $49.00
• iPhone 15 Pro Silicone Case - $33.64, down from $49.00
• iPhone 15 Pro Max FineWoven Case - $51.99, down from $59.00
• iPhone 15 Pro Max Silicone Case - $35.16, down from $49.00

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

iOS 17 is installed on 76 percent of iPhones released in the last four years, according to newly released iOS 17 adoption statistics provided today by Apple. This is the first time that Apple has given us iOS 17 installation numbers since the operating system was released last September.

20 percent of iPhones released in the last four years are still running iOS 16, while four percent run an earlier operating system. Of all active iPhones, 66 percent are running iOS 17, 23 percent are running iOS 16, and 11 percent are running an earlier version of iOS.

Apple also shared iPadOS installation numbers. 61 percent of iPads introduced in the last four years have iPadOS 17 installed, while 29 percent have iPadOS 16, and 10 percent are running an earlier version of iPadOS.

Among all active iPads, 53 percent have iPadOS 17, 29 percent have iPadOS 16, and 18 percent run an earlier version of the iPadOS software.

Around this time last year, 81 percent of all iPhones introduced in the last four years had iOS 16 installed, so iOS 17 adoption has been slower. Only 53 percent of iPads were running iPadOS 16 in February 2023, however, so the pace of iPadOS 17 adoption has been faster than iPadOS 16 adoption.

iOS 17 was first released in September, and Apple has released three major updates so far. A fourth major update, iOS 17.4, is set to come out in March.

Apple today began accepting submissions for its 2024 Swift Student Challenge. Apple's annual challenges ask students to create an innovative coding project using the Swift Playgrounds app.

Apple first announced plans for an early 2024 launch in November 2023, giving students plenty of time to prepare for this year's event.

Apple will select 350 winners for this year's challenge, and there will be a category that recognizes a total of 50 Distinguished Winners for standout submissions. The Distinguished Winners will be invited to Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California, where they will be able to connect with their peers and the Apple team, and all 350 winners will be granted a free one-year membership in the Apple Developer program, a complimentary voucher to take an App Development with Swift certification exam, and a special gift from Apple.

Apple has been holding an annual Swift Student Challenge for several years now, but it is typically announced when Apple provides dates the Worldwide Developers Conference. Past winners have been invited to attend WWDC, and Apple says that this year's 50 Distinguished Winners will be invited to Cupertino "next summer," so the planned invite could again be tied to WWDC.

Students will have three weeks to submit their app playgrounds to Apple, and applications must be submitted by February 25. Apple judges entries on technical accomplishment, creativity of ideas, and content of written responses explaining the project.

Eligible students include those enrolled in an accredited academic institution (or an official homeschool equivalent), a STEM organization's educational curriculum, or an Apple Developer Academy. Apple also accepts applications from developers who have graduated from high school or the equivalent in the past six months and are awaiting acceptance to an accredited academic institution.