MacRumors

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.

Apple plans to use its own modem chip for iPhones starting in 2025, according to information shared today by supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. He previously said the fourth-generation iPhone SE would be Apple's first device with the custom-designed 5G modem, but it's not entirely clear if this is still the plan anymore.

In July, it was reported that mass-production of the fourth-generation iPhone SE was delayed until 2025, so there is still a chance that it could be the first device with Apple's modem, but there have been conflicting rumors about the project.

Apple has reportedly been planning its own modem for over five years, and it acquired the majority of Intel's smartphone modem business in 2019. Based on the 2025 timeframe, iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models are expected to stick with Qualcomm modems. The switch to an Apple modem could begin with a future iPhone SE and iPhone 17 models, if previously reported development challenges can be overcome.

It's unclear if an Apple-designed 5G modem would have any consumer benefits over Qualcomm modems, but it would reduce Apple's reliance on Qualcomm on the supplier side. In 2017, Apple sued Qualcomm over alleged anticompetitive practices and $1 billion in unpaid royalty rebates. The two companies settled the lawsuit in 2019.

Apple's 256GB M2 Mac mini has returned to its all-time low price on B&H Photo, available for $499.00, down from $599.00. B&H Photo offers free two-day shipping on the Mac mini, with delivery as soon as September 8 for most 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.

Apple updated the Mac mini back in January, introducing the M2 and M2 Pro chips into the computer. We started tracking this all-time low price tag around springtime and as of now only B&H Photo is offering the sale.

B&H Photo also has the 512GB M2 Pro Mac mini for $1,149.00, down from $1,299.00. This one is a second-best price on the Mac Mini, but it's been a few months since we last tracked a record low price on the model so it's still a solid price for anyone in the market for the M2 Pro model.

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

While major new macOS versions were released in October or November for the past four years, there is a chance that macOS Sonoma could be released in September this year, based on how beta testing of the update is progressing.

As noted by @iSWUpdates on X, the seventh beta of macOS Sonoma seeded to developers last week has a build number ending in "a," while the seventh beta of macOS Ventura had a build number ending in "f" last year. A build number ending with an earlier letter in the alphabet typically indicates that beta testing is closer to completion.

macOS Mojave was released in September back in 2018. The seventh beta of that update also had a build number ending in "a."

macOS release dates since 2016:

• macOS Sierra: September 20, 2016
• macOS High Sierra: September 25, 2017
• macOS Mojave: September 24, 2018
• macOS Catalina: October 7, 2019
• macOS Big Sur: November 12, 2020
• macOS Monterey: October 25, 2021
• macOS Ventura: October 24, 2022

Other updates expected to be released in September include iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, tvOS 17, and HomePod software version 17.

There is no guarantee that Apple's past plans hint at the company's future plans, of course, so keep in mind that this is merely speculation. macOS Ventura had eleven beta versions and a Release Candidate before it was publicly released, while macOS Sonoma is only up to seven beta versions so far, so an October release cannot be ruled out. It is simply looking more likely that a September release could be in the cards in this year.

Apple today began accepting orders for Beats Studio Buds+ in new Cosmic Silver and Cosmic Pink color options that were announced last month. There are no other changes to the earbuds, and they remain priced at $169.99 in the United States. The original Transparent, Ivory, and Black color options that launched in May remain available.

Beats Studio Buds+ are essentially a sportier alternative to the AirPods Pro. Key features of the earbuds include up to 36 hours of battery life with the included USB-C charging case, and up to 1.6× as much active noise cancellation as the original Studio Buds. For more details about the earbuds, check out our hands-on coverage from May.

These earbuds are one of two major new Beats products released this year, with the other being new Studio Pro over-ear headphones in July.

Apple's 256GB 13.6-inch M2 MacBook Air is being discounted to $929.00 today on B&H Photo, down from $1,099.00. This sale is only available on B&H Photo as of writing, and you can get free two-day shipping on all versions of the computer.

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.

At $170 off this beats B&H Photo's previous discount from August by $20 and is an overall solid second-best price on the 256GB notebook. All four colors are available at this price: Space Gray, Silver, Midnight, and Starlight.

Additionally, you can get the 512GB M2 13.6-inch MacBook Air on sale at B&H Photo. This model has hit $1,199.00, down from $1,399.00, which is an all-time low price. It's available in Midnight, Starlight, and Silver.

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.

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 15 series at an event on Tuesday, September 12, and camera upgrades across the devices will be the "star of the show," according to a report today from Taiwanese research firm TrendForce. The upgrades are said to be a "pivotal factor" that "could tip the scales for potential buyers."

As previously rumored, TrendForce said both the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will be equipped with a stacked camera sensor supplied by Sony. Previous reports have indicated that this sensor will be able to capture more light, and the research firm said this will allow for improved dynamic range in photos.

TrendForce also corroborated rumors that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will be equipped with a periscope telephoto lens that boosts the device's optical zoom capabilities. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously said the lens will allow for up to 5x or 6x optical zoom, compared to the current 3x limit on the iPhone 14 Pro models.

Last, the research firm said all four iPhone 15 models will be equipped with a USB-C port and the Dynamic Island, as widely rumored. Replacing the notch on the iPhone 14 Pro models last year, the Dynamic Island surrounds the front camera and Face ID sensors, and it shows information such as system alerts and Live Activities.

Additional features are expected for the Pro models, including a lighter-weight titanium frame, customizable Action button, A17 Bionic chip, Wi-Fi 6E support, and more. For more details, read our in-depth iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro roundups.

Apple's App Store, Safari browser, and iOS operating system have today formally been designated as "gatekeepers" in the European Union, an official classification that requires adherence to strict new regulations (via Bloomberg).

The EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) seeks to curtail the power of major tech companies. Designated "gatekeeper" platforms will now face prohibition against favoring their own services over those of rivals. These platforms will also be prevented from combining personal data across different services and will have to allow users the option to download apps from alternative platforms. In a statement, Apple told Bloomberg "We remain very concerned about the privacy and data security risks the DMA poses for our users."

While Apple's ‌App Store‌, Safari, and iOS have been officially classified as gatekeepers, iMessage currently remains exempt from the list. Apple has recently stated that the user base of its iMessage service in Europe may not be large enough to warrant its inclusion under the DMA's regulations. The European Commission is in the process of investigating the validity of this claim, alongside Microsoft's Bing and Edge.

Alongside Apple, the European Commission has also listed services from other technology firms including Alphabet's Google Search, Amazon's marketplace, and Bytedance's TikTok, bringing the total to 22 services that now fall under DMA's provisions.

To be classified as a "gatekeeper" under the DMA, a company must fulfill certain criteria, including having sales across the EU of at least €7.5 billion, or a market capitalization of €75 billion or above. The designation also requires platforms or services to have more than 45 million monthly active users and over 10,000 active business users annually within the EU.

Companies that do not adhere to the new regulations risk facing EU investigations, substantial fines, and the imposition of "behavioral or structural remedies." The fines can amount to 10 percent of a company's global turnover, with a 20 percent penalty for repeat violations.

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.

The iPhone 15's expected move to USB-C this year may motivate a large number of Android users to switch phones, according to a survey conducted by SellCell.

SellCell asked over 1,000 iPhone users and over 1,000 Android users in the United States to gather its data. Of existing iPhone users surveyed, 63% said that Apple moving to a USB-C charging port would influence their decision to upgrade to an iPhone 15.

Of those that would be motivated to buy because of USB-C, the majority of iPhone users (37%) said they would upgrade because they would be able to use a single charging cable for iPhones, Macs, and iPads. Overall, 66% of iPhone users said that they will upgrade to an iPhone 15.

Perhaps the most surprising result of the survey was the number of Android users whose interest had been piqued by Apple's heavily rumored switch to the charging standard: 44% of existing Android owners surveyed said they would be tempted to buy an iPhone 15 if Apple adopts a USB-C port for the device. In the same group, 35% said their motivation stemmed from the fact that the iPhone would become compatible with chargers for non-Apple devices.

In the cohort of existing Android fans, 66% overall said they would not be buying an iPhone 15, and 34% said they will potentially upgrade to the iPhone 15.

Apple has kept the Lightning port on the ‌iPhone‌ for over 10 years. The company's proprietary charging port was introduced in September 2012 with the iPhone 5, but in recent years Apple's Macs and iPads have all transitioned to the more common USB-C charging standard. Apple's expected decision to switch the iPhone to USB-C this year was facilitated by pressure to comply with new regulations implemented in Europe for all consumer mobile and laptop devices to use a universal charging standard.

• What Not to Expect at Apple's 'Wonderlust' September 12 Event

Apple is expected to unveil its new iPhone 15 lineup at its "Wonderlust" September 12 event, alongside the Apple Watch Series 9 and a second-generation Apple Watch Ultra, among other possible new products.