MacRumors

Ford CEO Jim Farley said that Ford has no plans to drop support for CarPlay due to its popularity with Ford customers. He made the comment in an interview with The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern.

"70 percent of our Ford customers in the U.S. are Apple customers. Why would I go to an Apple customer and say good luck?" he said.

Farley was commenting on car manufacturers that do not support ‌CarPlay‌, like Tesla and General Motors. Tesla has never added ‌CarPlay‌ support into its vehicles, and GM earlier this year announced plans to phase out support for both ‌CarPlay‌ and Android Auto starting in 2023.

GM plans go with a built-in infotainment system co-developed with Google as it transitions from combustion vehicles to electric vehicles. ‌CarPlay‌ will be available in non-electric models, but GM ultimately has plans to switch to an all-electric lineup by 2035.

iPhone users have been asking Tesla to support ‌CarPlay‌ for years, and unsurprisingly, GM's announcement has not been particularly popular with those who are in the Apple ecosystem. By removing control of the infotainment system from Apple, GM and Tesla have access to more data about their customers, and can also push vehicle-related digital subscription services.

Farley doesn't think there's money to be made in the content that car owners consume in their vehicles, with Ford instead focusing on safety, security, autonomy, and productivity features.

In terms of content, we kind of lost that battle 10 years ago. So like get real with it, because you're not going to make a ton of money on content inside the vehicle. It's gonna be safety, security, partial autonomy, and productivity in our eyes. So that relationship for content is between you, The Wall Street Journal, and the customer. I don't want to get in the middle of that, but Tesla and other companies believe differently. They want to have complete control over the interior experience.

Having a familiar navigation and infotainment system in the car is appealing to customers who don't want to have to transition between two incompatible software setups, so GM's decision to drop support for ‌CarPlay‌ and Android Auto will be off-putting to those who have become used to the way that in-car solutions from Apple and Google extend the smartphone experience to the vehicle. No ‌CarPlay‌ will be a dealbreaker for some customers, so it will be interesting to see how GM's transition affects future vehicle sales.

Starting in 2023, Apple plans to roll out a next-generation CarPlay experience that will offer even deeper integration into new vehicles for manufacturers who choose to continue to offer ‌CarPlay‌ as an option.

Apple is expected to announce iOS 17 during its WWDC 2023 keynote on June 5, which is just over a month away. Ahead of time, rumors suggest the update will include at least eight new features and changes for iPhones, as outlined below.

The first iOS 17 beta should be made available to members of Apple's Developer Program moments after the keynote, while a public beta will likely be available in July for members of Apple's Beta Software Program. As usual, the update should be widely released in September, around the time that new iPhones launch.

Some of the features and changes listed below might not be added until later iOS 17 versions, such as iOS 17.1 or iOS 17.2.

iMessage Contact Key Verification

In December, Apple previewed a new iMessage Contact Key Verification security feature and said it would launch globally in 2023. This timeframe means the feature would be available in iOS 17, although it could launch earlier.

iMessage Contact Key Verification allows users who face "extraordinary digital threats," such as journalists, human rights activists, and government officials, to further verify that they are messaging only with the people they intend. In conversations between users who have enabled iMessage Contact Key Verification, users are alerted if a state-sponsored attacker or other malicious actor were ever to succeed breaching cloud servers and inserting their own device to eavesdrop on the conversation.

As an additional layer of security, iMessage Contact Key Verification users can compare a Contact Verification Code in person, on FaceTime, or through another secure call to further verify they are communicating only with whom they intend.

Control Center Revamp

iOS 17 will feature a revamped Control Center, according to @analyst941, a source who accurately leaked some details about the iPhone 14 Pro's Dynamic Island before the device launched last year. The source said Control Center will be more customizable, and the flashlight brightness slider might become freely adjustable up or down, whereas it is currently limited to four preset brightness levels.

Wallet App Revamp

iOS 17 will include improvements to the Wallet app, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The leaker @analyst941 claimed the Wallet app will be redesigned with tabs and search functionality, as shown in the mockup above.

A revamp for Wallet could make sense as new features continue to be added to the app, including Apple Pay Later and Apple Card Savings.

Next-Generation CarPlay

At WWDC 2022, Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay, which will feature support for multiple displays, widgets, and integration with vehicle functions like the instrument cluster, climate controls, and FM radio.

Apple said the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience would be announced in late 2023, with committed automakers including Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Volvo, and others. Apple said it would share additional details about the next generation of CarPlay later this year, and this timeframe suggests it will be an iOS 17 feature.

Journal App

Apple is developing a journaling app for the iPhone that would compete with the likes of Day One, according to The Wall Street Journal. It's unclear when the app will be released, but it could be introduced alongside iOS 17 if ready.

App Sideloading in EU

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman last year reported that Apple was preparing to allow app sideloading on the iPhone in order to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act. This would allow users to install apps outside of Apple's App Store, but the change is only expected to be made in European Union countries, at least initially.

Gurman said Apple has aimed to have the sideloading functionality ready as part of an "update to iOS 17," such as iOS 17.1 or later.

Mood Tracking

iOS 17 will include new tools for tracking emotion and managing vision conditions in the Health app on the iPhone, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He also expects the Health app to launch on the iPad this year.

Unwanted Tracking Alerts Expansion

Apple and Google recently submitted a proposed industry specification to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth item trackers for unwanted tracking of individuals. As part of this initiative, Apple plans to expand AirTag-like unwanted tracking alerts to third-party item trackers in a future version of iOS. Tile, Chipolo, Samsung, Eufy, and Pebblebee have expressed support for the draft specification, according to Apple.

Apple plans to release a "production implementation" of the specification by the end of 2023 that will then be supported in a future version of iOS. Based on this timeframe, unwanted tracking alerts will likely be expanded in a later version of iOS 17.

Amazon and B&H Photo today have a collection of discounts on the 2021 MacBook Pro, including both 14-inch and 16-inch models. These savings reach up to $800 off select notebooks and are the best prices we've ever seen on each 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.

Starting with the 14-inch MacBook Pro (10-Core M1 Pro, 1TB), this model is available for $1,998.99, down from $2,499.00. Amazon has this notebook in Silver and Space Gray, with an estimated delivery window of May 5 through May 9 for most United States residences.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro (10-Core M1 Pro, 1TB) has hit $2,099.00 on B&H Photo, down from $2,699.00. Additionally, the 16-inch MacBook (10-Core M1 Max, 1TB) is available for $2,699.00 on Amazon, down from $3,499.00. These are both new all-time low prices.

Although we have tracked a few solid markdowns on the newer 2023 MacBook Pro, today's deals on the previous generation models are far steeper and perfect for anyone looking to purchase an Apple notebook and doesn't need the latest model.

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

Google today announced that it is introducing support for passkeys, providing an easier and more secure login method for Google accounts. Apple integrated passkeys into iOS with the launch of iOS 16, and it is also available in iPadOS 16.1 and later as well as macOS Ventura.

Passkeys are an industry standard developed by the FIDO Alliance and the World Wide Web Consortium, so Google's passkey integration will work on Apple devices as well as on other devices that support the feature. As Google notes:

Last year — alongside FIDO Alliance, Apple and Microsoft — we announced we would begin work to support passkeys on our platform as an easier and more secure alternative to passwords. And today, ahead of World Password Day, we've begun rolling out support for passkeys across Google Accounts on all major platforms. They'll be an additional option that people can use to sign in, alongside passwords, 2-Step Verification (2SV), etc.

Passkeys are both easier to use and more secure than passwords because they let users sign in to apps and sites the same way they unlock their devices: With a fingerprint, a face scan or a screen lock PIN. Passkeys are also resistant to online attacks like phishing, making them more secure than things like SMS one-time codes.

To create a passkey, Google users can log in to their Google account and then choose the "Create a passkey" option. Passkeys on iOS and Mac devices sync with iCloud Keychain for security purposes, and logins are authenticated with Face ID or Touch ID. This protects you from being locked out of your account in case you lose your devices, and makes it easier for you to upgrade from one device to another.

Google says the switch to passkeys will take time, which is why traditional passwords and two-step verification will still work for Google Accounts.

Google is just one of several companies to implement support for passkeys in recent months, with other supporting apps and websites including PayPal, Best Buy, eBay, Dashlane, and Kayak.

Reddit's official iOS app has received an update that gives users the ability to more easily share content on the social discussion website with the help of rich link previews.

Previously, sharing a link to a Reddit post via a messaging service such as Apple's Messages app only displayed the URL address in the conversation thread, offering the recipient little idea of its contents.

By contrast, rich link previews display a visual preview of the post being linked to, including the subreddit name, total upvotes, and comments, providing the recipient with a clearer gist of the content they can expect to see if they decide to tap the link and visit the post.

In another update addition, it's now easier for people to share content in the Reddit app to Instagram, thanks to a new Instagram Stories button in the sharing options. The new button automatically generates a similar preview of the post that appears on Instagram.

Outlining the new sharing features in a blog post, Reddit also mentions a new "one-tap screenshot-sharing experience that allows users to share content without saving images to their device – meaning they can link back to the content rather than only sending a screenshot."

The new share options are accessible via a new custom share sheet which appears when Reddit app users tap the share icon under a post. The redditor's most used sharing channels are displayed at the top of the sheet to make the sharing process more convenient without having to leave the app.

Alongside the update, Reddit says it is also making sharing simpler for publishers by introducing a new toolbox that makes it easier to display Reddit content on their own platforms. Publishers can learn more by referring to Reddit's documentation.

WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will allow users to transfer their chat history to another iPhone without using iCloud.

Currently, WhatsApp only lets ‌iPhone‌ users migrate their chat history and media to ‌‌another ‌iPhone‌ if they have created a Chat Backup which is uploaded to ‌iCloud‌.

With the new feature, called "Transfer Chats to ‌iPhone‌," users need only download WhatsApp on their new phone, register with the same number, and then use their old ‌iPhone‌ to scan a QR code shown on the new device to automatically transfer their chat history.

As noted by WaBetaInfo, the new built-in service offers a significant advantage to users limited to ‌iCloud‌'s 5GB of free storage who do not have the space available to back up their chat history on Apple's servers.

• How to End-to-End Encrypt Your WhatsApp Chat Backups in iCloud

The new chat transfer feature is currently available to some beta testers who have installed the latest version of WhatsApp beta for iOS from the TestFlight app. It is expected to roll out to even more people over the coming days, but it's not clear when the feature will appear for regular WhatsApp users.

News of the feature in testing follows parent company Meta's announcement last week that it is rolling out multi-device login support for more than one phone. The change means users will be able to log into the same WhatsApp account on up to four phones, instead of being limited to just one phone and multiple desktop devices.

With the new feature, said to be rolling out to all users within the coming weeks, users' messages will be synced across multiple devices including other phones. So even if one device is switched off, they can access the app on other devices.

The redesigned version of the Maps app that Apple has been rolling out worldwide since 2019 is now being tested in Taiwan, according to Apple Maps expert Justin O'Beirne. The refreshed look is not available to all Apple Maps users as of yet, and Apple has not officially announced it.

With the updated design, landmarks and buildings are shown in 3D, and green spaces, parks, trees, roads, and other areas are displayed in more detail and with more accuracy.

Apple's revamped map experience also provides iPhone, iPad, and Mac users with better navigation, turn-by-turn walking directions with augmented reality, and in general, a much more detailed and immersive Maps interface.

This design began rolling out in September 2018 in Northern California, and as of 2019, it was available across the United States. Apple has since expanded it to multiple other countries, most recently adding Finland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovenia.

O'Beirne expects the new ‌Apple Maps‌ design to be officially live in Taiwan in June.

Update: O'Beirne has updated his article to note that the new maps are also in testing for Hong Kong and Slovakia.

Apple will be adding the Thunderbolt Display and the first-generation iPad Air to its obsolete products list worldwide on May 31, according to an internal memo obtained by MacRumors. Obsolete products are no longer eligible for repairs or other hardware service at Apple Stores or Apple Authorized Service Providers.

Introduced in 2011, the Thunderbolt Display featured a 27-inch screen, a 1440p resolution, a 720p camera, three USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 800 port, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a Thunderbolt port. The monitor was priced at $999 in the U.S. and was discontinued in 2016, resulting in years without an Apple-branded external display. Its modern day successor is the Studio Display, released alongside the Mac Studio last year.

The original iPad Air launched in 2013 and was also discontinued in 2016. The device was equipped with a 9.7-inch display and the A7 chip, and it was advertised as being 20% thinner, 28% lighter, and having 43% narrower display bezels compared to the previous iPad. Pricing started at $499 in the U.S. for the Wi-Fi-only model.

Apple classifies a product as technologically obsolete once more than seven years have passed since the company stopped distributing it for sale.

Apple today released the fourth beta of macOS Ventura 13.4 to developers, and it appears that there are some issues with content filtering apps like Little Snitch, Radio Silence, and others.

After installing the beta, some users on the MacRumors forums and on Twitter had problems with network connectivity, and managed to narrow it down to interference with firewall apps. MacRumors reader Grant, for example, saw his network cycling on and off repeatedly until he uninstalled Little Snitch.

Twitter user @aaronp613 had an issue with his Mac disconnecting after updating and he was able to fix it by turning off Radio Silence.

Mac users who are having problems with network connectivity after installing macOS Ventura 13.4 beta 4 should disable their network filtering apps. Those who are concerned about not being able to use the apps for the time being should avoid installing the latest beta for now.

Apple today introduced new 5E135 firmware for the AirPods 2, the AirPods 3, the original AirPods Pro, the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2, and the AirPods Max, up from the 5E133 firmware that was released in April.

Apple does not offer immediately available release notes on what's included in refreshed firmware updates for the AirPods‌, but the company does maintain a support document with release information.

There is no standard way to upgrade the ‌AirPods‌‌ software, but firmware is installed over-the-air while the ‌‌AirPods‌‌ are connected to an iOS device. Putting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ in the case, connecting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to a power source, and then pairing the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to an iPhone or an iPad should force the update after a short period of time.

You can check your ‌‌‌AirPods‌‌ or ‌‌‌‌‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ firmware by following these steps:

• Connect your ‌‌AirPods‌‌ or ‌‌‌‌‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌‌‌‌‌ to your iOS device.
• Open the Settings app.
• Tap General.
• Tap About.
• Tap ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌.
• Look at the number next to "Firmware Version."

If we find notable changes after the firmware updates are installed, we'll update this article, but the software likely includes performance improvements and bug fixes.

Apple today released new firmware updates for the Beats Fit Pro and Powerbeats Pro. The Beats Fit Pro and ‌Powerbeats Pro‌ now feature firmware version 5B66, up from the prior 5B55 firmware that came out in November 2022.

Apple does not offer information on what's included in refreshed firmware updates for the Beats Fit Pro and ‌Powerbeats Pro‌, so we don't know what improvements or bug fixes the firmware brings.

There's no standard way to upgrade the ‌Beats‌‌ software, but firmware is generally installed over-the-air while the earbuds are connected to an iOS device. Putting the Beats‌‌‌‌‌ in the case, connecting them to a power source, and then pairing them‌‌‌‌‌ to an iPhone or an iPad should force the update after a short period of time.

If we find notable changes after the firmware update is installed, we'll share details, but the software likely includes performance improvements and bug fixes rather than outward-facing changes.

Apple today released new firmware designed for the MagSafe Charger that is compatible with the iPhone 12 and later and the latest AirPods and Apple Watch models. The updated firmware is version 10M3761, up from the prior 10M1821 firmware. In the Settings app, you'll see a different version number than the firmware number, with the update displayed as version 258.0.0 (the prior firmware was 255.0.0).

The ‌MagSafe‌ Charger was initially released in the fall of 2020 alongside the ‌iPhone‌ 12 models, and this is the fourth firmware update that Apple has provided since the accessory launched.

Because firmware updates are released quietly over the air, Apple does not provide release notes. We do not know what new features or bug fixes might be included in the software.

There is no clear method for updating a ‌‌MagSafe‌‌ charger's firmware, but it needs to be plugged in and connected to an Apple device for a firmware update to initiate. You can check your ‌‌MagSafe‌‌ Charger's firmware by following the instructions in our MagSafe Charger how to.

OWC this week has a collection of discounts on Thunderbolt docks and particularly steep markdowns on Atlas memory cards and adapters, many of which will last throughout the month of May. If you've never shopped at OWC before, the company is known for making memory accessories, USB-C hubs, Thunderbolt docks, and more, all built with Apple computers in mind.

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

Memory Cards and Adapters

OWC is currently running a 25 percent discount on its Atlas memory cards and adapters this week only, and you can stack this discount with our exclusive 20 percent promo code MACRUMORS on the cart page prior to checkout. With this you can get a total 45 percent discount on these accessories through Sunday.

We've listed a few of the memory cards on sale below, but be sure to check out OWC's website to find the full sale. The higher storage memory cards will find the best discounts during this event, with as much as $225 off these cards for this week only. Remember to enter the promo code MACRUMORS on the cart page prior to checkout to get the total 45 percent off.

OWC Atlas Pro SD V60 Memory Cards

• 64GB - $15.39, down from $27.99
• 128GB - $27.49, down from $49.99
• 256GB - $49.49, down from $89.99
• 512GB - $87.99, down from $159.99
• 1TB - $158.39, down from $287.99

OWC Atlas Ultra SD V90 Memory Cards

• 64GB - $41.24, down from $74.99
• 128GB - $76.99, down from $139.99
• 256GB - $142.99, down from $259.99
• 512GB - $274.99, down from $499.99

Thunderbolt Docks

The new sale has eight Thunderbolt and USB drive docks on sale, most of which will require you to add the accessory to your cart in order to see the discounted price. One of the highlights of the sale is the 14-Port Thunderbolt 3 Dock for $229.99, which is $50 in savings.

• USB-C Travel Dock - $49.99, down from $59.99
• USB Drive Dock - $99.00, down from $119.99
• Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock - $119.99, down from $129.99
• Thunderbolt Hub - $119.99, down from $129.99
• Thunderbolt Dock - $229.99, down from $249.99
• 14-Port Thunderbolt 3 Dock - $229.99, down from $279.99
• Thunderbolt Go Dock - $329.99, down from $349.99
• Thunderbolt 3 Pro Dock - $359.99, down from $379.99

Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

Apple today seeded the fourth betas of upcoming iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.5 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after the launch of the third betas.

Registered developers can opt in to the betas by opening up the Settings app, going to Software Update, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option and toggling on the iOS 16/iPadOS 16 Developer Beta. Note that an Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.

iOS 16.5 adds a Sports tab in the Apple News app, making it easier to access sports-focused content. You can choose to follow your favorite teams to get updates on a regular basis. The update also includes a new Siri option for starting a screen recording with a voice command, and multi-viewing options for sports content.

Apple today seeded the fourth beta of macOS Ventura 13.4 to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming a week after the launch of the third beta.

Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and after the appropriate profile is installed, with the betas available through the Software Update mechanism in System Settings.

macOS 13.4 adds the simplified beta installation method that was first introduced in iOS 16.4. With the update, developers and public beta testers enrolled in Apple's respective programs can toggle on beta updates from System Settings on the Mac, without the need to install a profile.

An Apple ID associated with either a public beta account or a developer account is required to turn on beta updates, which means that it is no longer possible to use a developer profile not associated with a developer account to install the developer betas.

Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming watchOS 9.5 update to developers for testing purposes, with the software update coming one week after the launch of the third watchOS 9.5 beta.

To install the watchOS 9.5 update, developers will need to download the configuration profile from the Apple Developer Center.

Once installed, ‌watchOS 9.5 can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software update. To update to new software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life, it has to be placed on the charger, and it will need to be in range of the ‌‌iPhone‌‌ it is paired with.

watchOS 9.5 adds the simplified beta installation method that was first introduced in iOS 16.4. With the update, developers and public beta testers enrolled in Apple's respective programs can toggle on beta updates from the Software Update section of the Watch app on ‌iPhone‌.

An Apple ID associated with either a public beta account or a developer account is required to turn on beta updates.

Apple Pay, Apple Card, and Apple Cash are currently experiencing issues for some users, according to Apple's system status page.

The page notes that some users are experiencing unspecified issues with Apple Pay, while some Apple Card and Apple Cash features may not be available to some users right now. Apple ensures that purchases made with the Apple Card and Apple Cash will continue to be unaffected as it investigates the issues and works to implement a fix.

The issues began just before 7:30 a.m. Pacific Time today, according to the page. We'll update this story when the issues are marked as resolved.

The issues come on the same day as Apple Pay launched in a few additional countries, including Guatemala and El Salvador, according to @aaronp613. First launched in the U.S. in 2014, Apple Pay is now available in around 70 countries and regions.

Two other related features that recently launched are Apple Pay Later for financing purchases and Apple Card Savings for earning interest on Daily Cash.

Update: Apple says the issues have been resolved.