MacRumors

Apple internally believes its iOS 18, macOS 15, watchOS 11, and tvOS 18 updates next year will be "ambitious and compelling," thanks to major new software features and designs in the works for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Mac. That's according to the latest information relayed by Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman.

While little is known about the specifics, many of the changes are believed to involve generative AI, including a smarter version of Siri that takes the virtual assistant's integration with the operating systems to a new level. According to the leaker @Tech_Reve, Apple is relying on large-language models (LLMs) to completely revamp Siri and make it the "ultimate virtual assistant" and "Apple's most powerful killer AI app."

Apple is reportedly working on revamped interaction between ‌Siri‌ and the Messages app, enabling users to field complex questions and auto-complete sentences more effectively, according to Gurman. We may also see auto-generated Apple Music playlists and integration with productivity apps like Pages and Keynote, such as AI-assisted writing and slide deck creation.

Apple is said to be on course to spend $1 billion per year on AI research, with some of the company's biggest executive names overseeing development. Indeed, Gurman says the company is "racing to catch up with Google and OpenAI" in the generative AI space, and with few major iPhone 16 hardware advances on the cards next year, the stakes are even higher. As a result, Gurman believes iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 could be "groundbreaking" relative to updates in the last few years.

With so much riding on the outcome, however, Apple is said to be taking a particularly cautious approach to its software development. Recently we learned that all development on future features was paused within Apple to allow its engineers to work solely on improving the existing software.

According to Gurman, Apple last month finished the first "M1" versions of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15, but the software engineering management team found too many bugs that were missed in internal testing, so a week was set aside to address the issues. Development has since resumed, but Apple is still said to be debating whether to deploy its new generative AI technology via the cloud, as an on-device experience, or a mixture of both.

Apple is expected to reveal its LLM-powered version of Siri at WWDC 2024 during its iOS 18 developer preview, although other generative AI features it is working on could be exclusive to iPhone 16 models and therefore may not be revealed until Apple launches its next-generation flagship smartphones in September 2024.

Wi-Fi 6E, the latest advancement in Wi-Fi technology, offers several benefits when enabled on your iPhone or Mac, but it can also cause problems. This article explains what Wi-Fi 6E is, which Apple devices support it, and how to turn it off if you encounter issues.

What is Wi-Fi 6E?

Wi-Fi 6 operates on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, while Wi-Fi 6E also works over the 6GHz band for increased bandwidth. Wi-Fi 6E offers faster wireless speeds, lower latency, and less signal interference, so long as a supported device is connected to a Wi-Fi 6E router, which are available from brands like TP-Link, Asus, and Netgear.

Wi-Fi 6E can handle more simultaneous connections without a decrease in performance, making it ideal for environments with many connected devices, such as smart homes and modern offices.

Does My Apple Device Support Wi-Fi 6E?

As Wi-Fi 6E is relatively new, not all devices support it yet. This means you might not be able to take full advantage of its features if other devices in your network are not Wi-Fi 6E compatible. Apple devices that support the standard are as follows:

• iMac (24-inch, Nov 2023)
• MacBook Pro (14-inch, Nov 2023)
• MacBook Pro (16-inch, Nov 2023)
• MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2023) or MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2023)
• Mac mini (2023)
• Mac Studio (2023)
• Mac Pro (2023)
• iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation) or iPad Pro 12.9 inch (6th generation)

Using Wi-Fi 6E Networks

To use a Wi-Fi 6E network with an Apple device, you need a Wi-Fi 6E router that also has its 2.4GHz or 5GHz bands enabled. For the best Wi-Fi performance, Apple recommends using a single network name across the router's 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands. Otherwise, your Apple device will identify the network as having "limited compatibility," and the overall experience with some activities over the network might not be as expected.

Disabling Wi-Fi 6E Networks

The 6 GHz frequency band can have a shorter range and less ability to penetrate walls and other obstacles compared to the lower 2.4 GHz band. This might require more strategic placement of routers or the use of range extenders in larger spaces. Additionally, if your Mac is experiencing the "limited connectivity" issues described above, it may potentially lead to increased power consumption on your Mac, which could impact battery life.

Fortunately, if you experience any issues with a Wi-Fi 6E network, you can turn off Wi-Fi 6E mode for that network, and your Apple device will no longer use that network's 6GHz band.

On Mac

1. Click the Apple logo () in the menu bar and select System Settings.
2. Click Wi-Fi in the side column.
3. Click Details next to the name of the Wi-Fi 6E network you're connected to.
4. From the pop-up menu next to "Wi-Fi 6E Mode," choose Off.

On iPhone and iPad

1. Open the Settings app and tap Wi-Fi.
   

2. Tap the name of the Wi-Fi 6E network you're connected to.
3. Tap Wi-Fi 6E Mode, then tap Off.

Note that Wi-Fi 6E is not available in China mainland, while in Japan, Wi-Fi 6E requires iOS 16.2 or later or macOS 13.2 or later.

iPhone users in the EU next year will be able to download apps hosted outside of Apple's official App Store to comply with European regulations, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Otherwise known as sideloading, the change coming sometime in the first half of 2024 will allow customers to download apps without needing to use the App Store, which will mean developers won't need to pay Apple's 15 to 30 percent fees.

Writing in the latest subscriber edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman said Apple will introduce a "highly controlled system" that lets EU users install apps hosted elsewhere. Apple also will reportedly alter Messages and payment apps as part of the changes, likely via a localized iOS 17 update.

Gurman's update contradicts a recent report that suggested sideloading could arrive with Apple's iOS 17.2 software update, which is expected to be released next month. The report mistook as sideloading-related some new code that has to do with an upcoming framework for organizations to distribute apps to employees.

The European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which went into effect on November 1, 2022, requires "gatekeeper" companies to open up their services and platforms to other companies and developers.

The DMA will have a big impact on Apple's platforms, and it could result in Apple making major changes to the ‌App Store‌, Messages, FaceTime, Siri, and more.

Apple has claimed that sideloading will "undermine the privacy and security protections" that iPhone users rely on, leaving people vulnerable to malware, scams, data tracking, and other issues. Regardless of its stance, Apple must comply with the DMA or it risks fines of as much as 20 percent of its global revenue if the EU laws are violated.

In a December 2022 report, Gurman said Apple was considering implementing security requirements such as verification, a process that it could charge a fee for in lieu of collecting money from app sales. Apple has a verification system on Mac that allows users to be safe while giving them access to apps outside of the Mac App Store.

If other countries introduce similar legislation, alternate app stores could conceivably expand beyond the European Union. The United States, for example, is considering legislation that would require Apple to allow sideloading.

Apple will add a new larger 12.9-inch iPad Air to an entirely refreshed iPad lineup coming next year, with two ‌iPad Air‌ models taking priority in Apple's launch roadmap, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In his latest outlook, Kuo predicts that Apple will compensate for this year's lack of movement in its ‌iPad‌ lineup by updating all existing models, starting with a refreshed 10.9-inch and new 12.9-inch ‌iPad Air‌ with new chips scheduled for mass production in the first quarter of 2024.

Kuo says the previously rumored all-new 12.9-inch ‌iPad Air‌ will have an LCD screen that lacks the mini-LED technology of Apple's current iPad Pro models, but will benefit from the same oxide backplane. This will offer better display performance than the current 10.9-inch ‌iPad Air‌ that uses an a-Si backplane.

Next in line for release are the OLED ‌iPad Pro‌ models that have been rumored for some time. Apple will launch a new 11-inch and 13-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ with a redesigned chassis and new M3 chip in the second quarter.

Kuo believes that last on Apple's 2024 production roadmap are a new iPad mini, and an 11th-generation ‌iPad‌ – a new version of Apple's most affordable tablet. This will see the discontinuation of Apple's 9th-generation ‌iPad‌ currently still offered alongside the 10th-generation model in Apple's lineup.

Kuo believes these changes will see only modest gains in ‌iPad‌ shipments compared to this year, and predicts around 52-54 million units in 2024 compared to 2023. Such an increase remains way off Apple's peak of 63 million iPads shipped in 2022 during the pandemic.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently also suggested Apple will update its entire ‌iPad‌ lineup throughout 2024, but his timeline prediction is slightly different to Kuo and does not mention a new larger ‌iPad Air‌.

Gurman previously reported that the low-end to mid-range iPads could be updated as early as March 2024, while he expects new 11-inch and 13-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ models with the M3 chip and OLED displays to launch in the first half of 2024. The next ‌iPad Air‌ and ‌iPad mini‌ are likely to be equipped with M2 and A16 Bionic chips, respectively.

Following Apple's "Scary Fast" event on October 30, the new M3-based MacBook Pro and iMac models have officially launched, so media and everyday users alike have been sharing their thoughts on what's almost certainly the last of Apple's new hardware for 2023.

While hardware may be wrapping up for the year, Apple's still hard at work on software updates with a number of bug-fix releases this week plus a new round of betas for more significant updates we're expecting to see released before the end of the year. Black Friday deals are also starting to get underway several weeks ahead of the big day, so be sure to read on below for all of this week's top stories!

New MacBook Pro Reviews: Scary Fast, But M3 Pro Chip Has a Catch

The new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips began arriving to customers and launched in stores this week, and the first reviews of the laptops have been shared. We also shared our own hands-on video of the new MacBook Pro.

The new iMac with the M3 chip is also now available, and we rounded up reviews of the all-in-one desktop computer.

Apple Says There Won't Be a 27-Inch iMac With Apple Silicon

Apple discontinued both the Intel-based 27-inch iMac and iMac Pro over the past two years, and it has yet to launch a larger-screen iMac with an Apple silicon chip as a replacement, leaving the 24-inch iMac as its only all-in-one desktop computer.

Apple this week confirmed that it has no plans to release a new version of the 27-inch iMac with Apple silicon, but that does not explicitly rule out the rumored 32-inch iMac Pro.

Apple Releases iOS 17.1.1 With Bug Fixes for BMW Wireless Charging and Weather Widget

Apple this week released a minor iOS 17.1.1 update for the iPhone with a pair of bug fixes. Specifically, the update resolves a BMW wireless charging issue affecting the iPhone 15 lineup, and it addresses a bug related to the Weather widget displaying snow.

The update is available for the iPhone XS and newer, and it can be installed in the Settings app by tapping on General → Software Update.

Apple Releases watchOS 10.1.1 With Fix for Apple Watch Battery Drain Bug

Alongside iOS 17.1.1, Apple also released a minor watchOS 10.1.1 update for the Apple Watch. The update resolves an issue causing excessive battery drain on a variety of Apple Watch models that had been updated to watchOS 10.1.

Apple had acknowledged the battery drain issue in an internal memo obtained by MacRumors, and it has now delivered on its promise to make a fix available.

iOS 17.2 Will Add These 10 New Features to Your iPhone

iOS 17.2 remains in beta testing, and while we published an overview of ten features coming in the update based on the first beta, the second beta released late this week added even more.

New features in the second iOS 17.2 beta include the ability to record spatial video on iPhone 15 Pro models for viewing on Vision Pro and an expansion of the optional Sensitive Content Warning feature to include Contact Posters, stickers in the Messages app, and more.

Apple Silicon Buyer's Guide: Which Chip Should You Choose?

Choosing a new Mac often involves consideration of the many Apple silicon chips now on offer, so our comprehensive guide covers their generations, variations, and performance benchmarks to help you decide which is best for you.

Our guide includes Apple's latest M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips announced for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, 16-inch MacBook Pro, and 24-inch iMac last month.

The Best Early Black Friday Apple Deals

Black Friday is still two weeks away, but the holiday shopping season is already ramping up with tons of solid deals on Apple products and more.

We're keeping track of the best deals, regularly updating our coverage to reflect the rapidly changing deal situation, and we've got dedicated deal guides for Apple's major product categories linked in there for closer looks.

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!

Repair website iFixit today shared a video teardown of the new 14-inch MacBook Pro with both the M3 and M3 Pro chips, providing a closer look inside the laptops. The internal design is virtually unchanged compared to the previous MacBook Pro models.

iFixit also shared a blog post in which it explains how it believes Apple achieved its new, darker Space Black finish for the MacBook Pro. In short, it said that Apple managed to make the Space Black finish's anodized surface "more uneven" at a microscopic level, resulting in more light reflecting off it for a darker appearance.

"Apple found they could etch the already rough anodized surface, making it more uneven," wrote iFixit's Kevin O'Reilly. "The resulting nooks and crannies further diffuse incoming light rays, sending them off in even more directions. Less white light makes its way to our eyeballs—resulting in that slick matte finish."

iFixit provides an in-depth, scientific overview of the Space Black finish, including the new anodization seal that reduces fingerprints, in its blog post.

The new MacBook Pro models launched earlier this week.

Over the last several months, we've heard reports that Apple is working on a second-generation AR/VR headset, although there have been few details shared about the device. MacRumors has now received new information about the project, giving us some insight into the design and hardware of the successor to the Vision Pro.

The second-generation Apple Vision Pro headset, known internally under the codename Project Alaska and device identifier N109, bears striking resemblance to the first-generation Vision Pro announced at WWDC 2023. While the device maintains the curved aesthetic and button placement of the first Vision Pro, the speaker placement is expected to be different.

Early designs of the second-generation Apple headset do not include the rounded areas that house the speakers on the first-generation model. Instead, the headset features temples that are flat and uniform throughout their entire length. Documentation related to the Alaska project contains references to a non-descript audio accessory, possibly an external speaker. At one point in development, there were two different design configurations for the top vents – one being the same as the vents on the first-generation ‌Apple Vision Pro‌, and the latter featuring two clusters of tiny speaker-type holes.

Another key difference has to do with the rear straps. The second-generation headset features straps that are simpler in design and appearance, being somewhat reminiscent of the flat straps commonly found on laptop bags or backpacks. Prior rumors have suggested that the next Apple headset could be cheaper than the Vision Pro, and the design of the rear straps on the second-generation headset lends some credence to this theory. More streamlined straps would presumably be easier to mass produce, perhaps resulting in a lower overall price for end consumers.

Along with the possibility of an audio accessory, information from our sources suggests that Apple has plans for an external battery pack, similar to the battery pack used for the first-generation ‌Apple Vision Pro‌.

In terms of hardware, the second-generation Vision Pro will continue to include an array of cameras and sensors similar to those in the first headset. To be more specific, the device will feature a compass, ambient light sensor, magnetometer, and gyroscope, all of which are already present in the iPhone. For connectivity, the second generation Apple headset will support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5, and ultra-low latency audio (ULLA).

Key hardware components of the second-generation Apple headset:

• 2 micro-OLED displays
• 1 TrueDepth camera
• 4 computer vision (CV) cameras
• 2 RGB cameras
• 2 low light infrared illuminators
• Semi-automatic interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustment
• Compass, ambient light sensor, magnetometer, accelerometer, gyrocope

Current information indicates that the second-generation Apple headset is scheduled for the product validation testing (PVT) stage of development in 2025, suggesting a release date of late 2025 or early 2026. The information we've shared comes from a reliable source that has provided us with details about Apple's plans in the past, but it is worth noting that this is pre-production information and Apple's plans could change before final mass production begins on the second-generation headset.

For more information on the current ‌Apple Vision Pro‌, check out our dedicated Vision Pro roundup.

We're just two weeks away from Black Friday, and Apple deals are in full swing right now. We're tracking the year's best prices on Apple Watch Series 9, AirPods 2, HomePod, HomePod mini, and more in our recap of the week's best deals. For a more in-depth look at the current best Black Friday deals, check out our post on early Black Friday Apple deals.

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.

Anker

• What's the deal? Take 25% off Anker accessories
• Where can I get it? Anker
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Anker is always a reliable source for deals throughout the year, and Black Friday season is definitely no different. The company is currently offering 25 percent off your entire order when you buy two or more accessories at once, as well as quite a few straight cash discounts without needing a bundle.

Apple Watch Series 9

• What's the deal? Take $50 off Apple Watch Series 9
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

One great early Black Friday deal can be found on the new Apple Watch Series 9, which Amazon has for $50 off right now. This includes both GPS and cellular models, with prices now starting at $349.00 for 41mm GPS, a new record low price.

AirPods 2

• What's the deal? Take $60 off AirPods 2
• Where can I get it? Walmart
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Walmart kicked off its Black Friday sale with a major discount on AirPods 2, now available for $69.00, down from $129.00. Amazon briefly matched this price, but we haven't seen it return in two days. This is a new all-time low price on the 2019 earbuds, and a great Black Friday deal.

HomePod

• What's the deal? Take $20 off HomePod mini and $19 off HomePod (Gen 2)
• Where can I get it? OWC and B&H Photo
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Notable HomePod discounts have arrived for Black Friday, starting at $78.99 for the HomePod mini at OWC in new condition but in bulk packaging and with a 90 day OWC fulfilled limited warranty. This is a solid record low price on the mini smart speaker.

B&H Photo has the second generation HomePod for $279.99, which is another match of an all-time low price that's available in all colors.

You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2023.

Starting with iOS 17.2, which is currently in beta and expected to be released in December, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max can record spatial video with 3D depth for playback on Apple's upcoming Vision Pro headset. When held in landscape orientation, the iPhone's main and ultra wide cameras combine to record 3D video.

The feature can be toggled on in the Settings app under Camera → Formats, and when it is, an extra button to record spatial video appears in the Video section of the Camera app. Spatial videos are recorded in 1080p at 30 fps, and Apple says the iPhone needs to be in landscape orientation and stabilized for the best results. Apple says the toggle will be turned on automatically for future Vision Pro owners.

When played on the iPhone, spatial videos are regular 2D videos without any extra depth effect.

While the Vision Pro does not launch until "early 2024" in the U.S., Apple invited some members of the press to record their own spatial videos on the iPhone 15 Pro and watch them on the headset this week. Apple is still not allowing the press to share photos or videos of the Vision Pro, so there are only written impressions for now.

The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern, in her Tech Things newsletter:

At the demo, I recorded a sushi chef holding a piece of sushi. When I watched it back in the Vision Pro, the sushi and the chopsticks really looked 3-D. They were clearly in the foreground, hovering closer to me than the rest of the imagery. Of course the lighting was perfect when recording—we'll have to see how it does in imperfect conditions.

Apple showed me some other spatial videos. In one, a dad was telling his young kids a story in the back of an RV. It was so lifelike and cozy that it almost creeped me out. Why am I spying on this random family? That's obviously the big appeal here: spatial videos create intimacy in ways 2-D photos and videos don't.

TheStreet's Jacob Krol:

Likely as Apple intended, capturing Spatial Video is simple and feels just as intuitive as shooting in another one of the modes on the iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max. You'll turn the phone into the landscape to unlock the recording mode, indicated by a headset icon, and see a level appear as you're filming.

Horizon view and level are important, as an ultra-shaky video can be more jarring when playing back on the Vision Pro. In my experience, I captured a professional sushi chef creating a few standard rolls and rice balls, as well as the chef holding up the end product. I gradually approached, placing the roll while it was suspended in the air via chopsticks by about a foot and a half way. The iPhone did an excellent job of switching focus while I was moving around the piece of sushi and capturing the chef in the background. You can also manually click to focus if you'd like.

CNET's Scott Stein:

The videos look great and the 3D is compellingly realistic. They're also easy to record, and can save as videos that will play back in 2D in a normal video format. But ultimately this feature is made for a 2024 product that, at $3,500, it's safe to say most people won't buy anytime soon. Still, the experience is impressive.

Stein noted that Apple's professional video editing app Final Cut Pro will be updated with spatial video editing support at some point next year.

Spatial video recording on iPhone 15 Pro models was added in the second beta of iOS 17.2 seeded to developers yesterday and to public beta testers today.

Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 updates to public beta testers, allowing non-developers to try out the software ahead of its release. The second iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 public betas come two weeks after Apple released the first public betas.

Public beta testers can get the beta 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 Public Beta. Signing up on Apple's beta testing website is required.

iOS 17.2 adds the Journal app, designed to let iPhone and iPad users record their daily activities and thoughts. Apple offers prompts that can be used as inspiration, and journal entries can be outfitted with images, voice recordings, location tags, and more.

Collaborative playlists are now available in Apple Music so you can create playlists that multiple people contribute to, and there's also now a Favorites playlist that has all the music you've favorited. Stickers can be used as tapback reactions in the Messages app, the Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro models can now be set to a new Translate function, and Apple has implemented support for iMessage Contact Key Verification.

There are new Weather and Clock widgets, tweaks to the TV app, updates to Message syncing across devices, new Memoji options, and more, with the full list of features we've found so far available in our iOS 17.2 beta features article.

Apple today seeded the second public beta of an upcoming macOS Sonoma 14.2 update, allowing non-developers to test out the software ahead of its release. The second public beta comes two weeks after the first public beta.

Beta testers can opt-in through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. Under Beta updates, simply toggle on the Sonoma Public Beta. Note that you must sign up to participate on Apple's beta testing website.

macOS Sonoma 14.2 adds Messages sticker reactions, which make it quicker to add a sticker or an emoji to an iMessage. It also includes support for collaborative Apple Music playlists, allowing multiple people to add songs to a single playlist.

There's a new Favorites ‌Apple Music‌ playlist as well, better support for Messages in iCloud syncing, and iMessage Contact Key Verification for people who face extraordinary digital threats.

Best Buy is back with a few steep discounts on MacBook Air models today, including $200 off the 13.6-inch MacBook Air and $300 off the 15.3-inch MacBook Air. The best deals can be found if you're a My Best Buy Plus or My Best Buy Total member, with everyone else able to buy these notebooks at solid second-best prices.

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.

If you don't have a membership, you can sign up for one on Best Buy's website. They start at $49.99 per year for My Best Buy Plus, providing you access to exclusive sales and events, free two-day shipping, extended 60-day return window on most products, and more.

13.6-Inch M2 MacBook Air

Starting with the smaller model, Best Buy has the 256GB 13.6-inch M2 MacBook Air at $899.00 for My Best Buy Plus/Total members, down from $1,099.00. If you aren't a member, you can still get this notebook at a great price of $949.00, which is $150 off.

Additionally, there's also the 512GB 13.6-inch M2 MacBook Air at $1,199.00 for My Best Buy Plus/Total members, down from $1,399.00. Non-members can get this notebook for $1,249.00, which is another $150 discount on the MacBook Air.

The My Best Buy Plus and Total member pricing represent the current best deals you can get on these MacBook Air models right now. For the 256GB notebook, this is also a match of the best price we've ever tracked.

15.3-Inch M2 MacBook Air

Best Buy has the 256GB 15.3-inch M2 MacBook Air at $999.00 for My Best Buy Plus/Total members, down from $1,299.00, which is a new record low price at $300 off. Non-members can get the computer for $1,049.00, which is the typical sale price we track on this model.

There's also the 512GB 15.3-inch M2 MacBook Air at $1,199.00 for My Best Buy Plus/Total members, down from $1,499.00, which is another steep $300 markdown on the 2023 MacBook Air. If you don't have a membership, you can again get this one at $250 off the regular price.

You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2023.

TouchArcade's Jared Nelson and Eli Hodapp join us on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show to talk through the current state of gaming in Apple's ecosystem.

TouchArcade is MacRumors' sister site that focuses on iOS gaming. Jared is the website's Editor-in-Chief and host of The TouchArcade Show podcast, while Eli is Jared's predecessor, the founder of iOS gaming subscription service GameClub, and director of mobile publishing at GameMill Entertainment.

We discuss Apple's recent gaming push prompted by the A17 Pro and M3 chip's hardware-accelerated ray-tracing, as well as the arrival of console-level games on Apple platforms like "Resident Evil Village." We look at where Apple has made progress with gaming in recent years and where it still faces limitations, what the company should address to bolster gaming experiences on its devices, and the direction of Apple Arcade. We also consider the gaming potential of Apple's Vision Pro headset and how the new product line could evolve over time.

Listen to more of Jared and Eli over on The TouchArcade Show podcast. The MacRumors Show is now on its own YouTube channel, so head over and subscribe to keep up with new episodes and clips going forward:

You can also listen to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Castro, Google Podcasts, 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 "Scary Fast" event and the new Macs it introduced.

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 exciting guests like Luke Miani, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Kevin Nether, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Jon Prosser, Sam Kohl, Quinn Nelson, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.

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Apple's new MacBook Pro models are powered by cutting-edge M3 Apple silicon, but the base configuration 14-inch model starting at $1,599 comes with just 8GB of working memory. In 2012, Apple launched the first MacBook Pro with Retina display, which also started with 8GB of RAM. Of course, Apple now uses integrated chips with unified memory architecture, which is why the company feels confident in arguing that 8GB on a Mac is comparable to 16GB on rival systems.

But not everyone is convinced. Apple's decision not to equip base models with at least 16GB of RAM in late 2023 has proved incongruous to many users, including Vadim Yuryev, co-host of the YouTube channel Max Tech. Yuryev decided to perform several real-world tests on two 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro models, one with 8GB and the other upgraded to 16GB of unified memory. The embedded video above has all the results.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Yuryev saw significant performance improvements across the board using the 16GB machine under both middling and heavier workloads. The 8GB model suffered double-digit losses in Cinebench benchmarks, and took several minutes longer to complete photo-merging jobs in Photoshop as well as media exports in Final Cut and Adobe Lightroom Classic.

These tests were conducted as single operations with nothing else running, but also repeated with browser tabs, YouTube videos, spreadsheets, emails, and the like, open in the background to simulate typical real-world multi-tasking scenarios. As expected, the performance gap between the two machines widened further as the 8GB increasingly relied on its SSD swap file, while all-round responsiveness took a hit. Yuryev even reported crashes on the 8GB model during Blender rendering and a Final Cut export.

Notably, Blender's raytracing acceleration was available as an option on the 16GB models, but was conspicuously absent on the 8GB MacBook Pro for an identical rendering job, suggesting the reduced memory pool actually prevents the GPU cores from utilizing certain features.

Tests like these present a dilemma for customers looking to purchase a new MacBook Pro (or a new 8GB iMac, for that matter). Settling for 8GB appears to hinder the M3 chip's performance, but choosing 16GB or 24GB configuration options at checkout costs an extra $200 and $400, respectively, and Apple's machines cannot be upgraded at a later date because of their unified memory architecture.

After factoring in the extra $200 for 16GB on a 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro, an M3 Pro model with 18GB and several other extra features is only $200 more at $1,999. More galling perhaps is the fact that rival laptops at similar ballpark prices (Microsoft Surface or Lenovo Thinkpad, for example) come with at least 16GB of memory as standard. Apple customers are expected to pay $200 extra each jump up, which surely includes a healthy markup, however much Apple pays its RAM suppliers.

Is Apple's 8GB starting configuration for a $1,599 MacBook Pro really acceptable in 2023? And has the company's memory pricing policy affected your own purchase options? Let us know in the comments.

Apple's upcoming iPad Pro models with OLED displays will be followed by sequential OLED MacBook Pro and OLED MacBook Air launches over the next three years, according to analyst Jeff Pu from Haitong International Technology Research.

In a new investor memo seen by MacRumors, Pu said Apple intends to update the 14-inch and 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ models with OLED screens sometime in 2026, which tallies with the timeframe previously predicted by Ross Young of research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants.

Pu also reiterated widely rumored next-generation 11-inch and 13-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ models launching in 2024 that will also be equipped with OLED displays, with Apple aiming to ship 10 million units in the first year.

There are currently no Macs or iPads with OLED displays. Compared to current ‌iPad Pro‌ and ‌MacBook Pro‌ models with LCD-based mini-LED screens, benefits of OLED technology would include increased brightness, higher contrast ratio with deeper blacks, improved power efficiency for longer battery life, and more.

Pu also said that Apple is actively developing an OLED screen for the ‌MacBook Air‌, although the release of the OLED ‌MacBook Pro‌ is expected to come first. Previous reports have suggested that Samsung Display is developing a 13.3-inch OLED panel for a future ‌MacBook Air‌ model amid Apple's plans to switch several of its product lines to the display technology.

Apple in iOS 17.1 began allowing ‌iPhone‌ users in the UK to view the account balances of select bank cards and credit cards in the Wallet app, and now several more banks have added support for the feature.

Apple added the transaction and card balance functionality to the Wallet app in October as part of its Connected Cards feature, but initially only a handful of bank cards were compatible.

According to Apple's updated support document, account balance and full transaction history viewing now works with cards from Barclays, Barclaycard, First Direct, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds, M&S Bank, Monzo Bank, NatWest Bank, and Royal Bank of Scotland.

• How to View UK Bank Account Balance in Apple Wallet

UK banks support the Open Banking API to integrate with the Wallet app, which made the feature widely available to UK users from the off, but the Connected Cards rollout in the United States has been slower.

Following the release of the feature, MacRumors discovered that code in iOS 17.1 and references on Apple's website suggested that the feature would expand to the US, which turned out to be accurate. For example, users of Discover cards were first to see the option to view their total card balance and transaction history in Apple Wallet.

Note that if you don't see the option to Get Started below your card in the Wallet app, your card issuer currently isn't eligible.

Humane, a tech startup run by former Apple designer Imran Chaudhri and former Apple software manager Bethany Bongiorno, today officially unveiled its first product, the Ai Pin. Priced at $700, the Ai Pin is a standalone device that Humane says was built from the ground up for artificial intelligence.

The Ai Pin attaches to a clothing item using a magnetic system that involves a detachable battery, which is also how the device is powered. The idea is to swap the battery out for a new battery when necessary, resulting in what Humane calls a "perpetual power system." It is not clear how long each battery lasts.

Design wise, the Ai Pin looks something like an Apple Watch with a rounded rectangular shape, It is made from aluminum, comes in three colors, and has a Gorilla Glass touchpad. There's also an "optical sensing capsule," a 3D depth sensor, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip to power it.

A laser projector inside the Ai Pin can project information onto the user's hand, and it is necessary because there is no standard display on the device itself. Humane calls the laser projector system a "Laser Ink Display." Interacting with the Laser Ink Display can be done by rolling and tilting the hand, and selecting an item is done with a finger tap similar to the tap used for Apple's own Double Tap feature on Apple Watch.

Touching the Ai Pin and speaking activates the "Ai Mic" that can answer questions and help users find information, including details they have previously relayed to the device, such as reminders. It plays music through a "Personic Speaker" that creates a bubble of sound around the wearer, plus there is an Interpreter feature. Humane says that the Ai Pin is "fluent in many languages" and can translate spoken words in real-time. There are no apps, with all actions and functions accessed through the AI.

A built-in 13-megapixel ultra wide-angle camera can be used to capture photographs and videos, either using a two-finger double tap or a voice command. Photos can be viewed using the "Center" website on any web browser. Center also houses notes that have been taken, music listened to, reminders, and more.

Users can tell the Ai Pin about their activity and nutrition goals to keep tabs on their progress and better understand the energy they take in and put out. Holding up a food item to the Ai Pin will allow the device to provide nutritional information and can let a user know if it's "safe" to eat based on their health goals.

The device has cellular connectivity and can be used to answer phone calls from trusted contacts that are designated by the wearer. Humane says the Ai Pin is able to intelligently determine what takes priority if an untrusted contact calls or sends a message, allowing interactions such as a food delivery person arriving with an order. Calls and text messages can be sent using the Ai Pin, with messages composed through voice requests.

The Ai Pin cannot be activated without direct user interaction, so it is not listening or recording by default. When the camera, phone, or microphone are activated, there is a colored "Trust Light" that lets other people around the user know when the Ai Pin is in use.

Orders for the Ai Pin are set to begin in the United States on November 16. Ai Pin is priced at $700, and there is also a $24 monthly subscription required to use the device on the Humane network, which is powered by T-Mobile.

Apple is making some updates to the App Store with the iOS 17.2 software that is in beta testing, introducing a new focus on app categories.

In the "Apps" section of the ‌App Store‌, there is a new top navigation bar that allows users to scroll through various app categories, such as Entertainment, Education, Photo & Video, Music, Navigation, and more. The categories mirror the categories that can be found at the bottom of the app section in the "Browse Categories" menu.

The "Games" section also has a similar list of categories, such as puzzle, casual, racing, indie, simulation, casino, and adventure. These also mirror the categories at the bottom of the Games tab.

Tapping into one of the categories listed in Apps or Games shows apps that are part of that category. Apple previously had these kind of top bar navigation options for Apple Arcade, but they have been expanded to the other ‌App Store‌ sections.

Apple is also mirroring the "Browse Categories" design first introduced in the ‌Apple Arcade‌ tab. Each category is now a card, with a detailed icon. In iOS 17 and earlier, categories were just text lists with a simpler icon design.

iOS 17.2 is being beta tested right now and it is expected to see a public release sometime in December.