MacRumors

WWDC is now just two months away, and we're starting to hear a bit more about what we might see with upcoming iOS 17 and watchOS 10 updates that should be unveiled during the keynote.

This week also saw the release of an iOS 16.4.1 bug fix update, another rumor about Apple's timeline for transitioning some of its Mac notebooks to OLED display technology, and a curious Bitcoin-related discovery in macOS, so read on for all the details on these stories and more!

iOS 17 Rumored to Feature 'Major' Changes to iPhone's Control Center

iOS 17 will feature "major" changes to Control Center on the iPhone, according to a MacRumors Forums member with a proven track record.

Control Center was introduced with iOS 7 nearly a decade ago and has looked largely the same since iOS 11 was released. The menu provides iPhone users with convenient access to controls for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, display brightness, volume, and many other system functions.

It was also claimed that iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 would drop support for the iPhone X, first-generation iPad Pro models, and some other devices, but this rumor was later disputed.

Is a New iMac Coming in 2023? What We Know So Far

Apple released the 24-inch iMac with the M1 chip and a colorful ultra-thin design in April 2021. Later this month, it will have been two years since the all-in-one desktop computer was last updated.

Rumors suggest that a new 24-inch iMac with an M3 chip could be released later this year. We've put together a guide covering the latest rumors about the next iMac, including new features and changes to expect.

watchOS 10 to Feature 'Notable Changes' for Apple Watch

The upcoming watchOS 10 update for the Apple Watch will include "notable changes" to the user interface, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Apple is expected to announce watchOS 10 during the WWDC 2023 keynote on June 5, alongside iOS 17, macOS 14, and other new software. On the hardware side of things, Gurman said only modest upgrades are planned for the next Apple Watch models coming later this year.

Apple Releases iOS 16.4.1 With Fixes For Siri Response Issues and Other Bugs

Earlier this week, we learned that Apple had an iOS 16.4.1 update in the works, and on Friday that update was released to the public with emoji and Siri bug fixes.

A parallel macOS Ventura 13.3.1 update with fixes for the emoji issue and a bug with the feature that allows you to automatically unlock your Mac while wearing an Apple Watch. Both the iOS and macOS updates also address a pair of security vulnerabilities that Apple says may have been actively exploited, so be sure to update your devices.

Apple Has Included Bitcoin Whitepaper in Every Version of macOS Since 2018

In every version of macOS that has shipped since 2018, Apple has included the original Bitcoin whitepaper by Satoshi Nakamoto within the filesystem, and no one seems to know why.

Anyone with a Mac running macOS Mojave or later can see the PDF for themselves by typing this command into Terminal. The document provides an overview of Bitcoin as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system.

14-Inch and 16-Inch MacBook Pros Reportedly Not Getting OLED Displays Until 2026

Apple is unlikely to release high-end MacBook Pro models with OLED displays until 2026, according to display industry analyst Ross Young.

In the meantime, Young said Apple plans to release a 13.4-inch MacBook Air with an OLED display as early as next year. The switch from LCD to OLED technology would allow for increased brightness, improved contrast ratio, and decreased power consumption for longer battery life.

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!

Following the release of iOS 16.4.1 today, Apple has stopped signing iOS 16.3.1, preventing iPhone users from downgrading to that software version. iOS 16.4, iOS 16.4.1, and the iOS 16.5 beta remain signed at the time of writing.

iOS 16.3.1 was released on February 13 and was a minor update with bug fixes, security improvements, and additional Crash Detection optimizations for iPhone 14 models. Apple routinely stops signing older iOS releases over time in order to prevent users from downgrading to an outdated software version.

iOS 16.4 will likely be unsigned later this month, so iPhone users who wish to downgrade to that version have limited time remaining to do so.

Apple today released iOS 16.4.1, iPadOS 16.4.1, and macOS 13.3.1 for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, respectively, and it's a good idea to install them as soon as you can because all three updates include important security fixes.

According to Apple's security support documents for iOS and macOS, the new software includes fixes for two separate vulnerabilities, both of which were known by Apple to have been actively exploited in the wild.

The IOSurfaceAccelerator vulnerability could allow an app to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple addressed the out-of-bounds write issue with improved input validation. The WebKit vulnerability could allow maliciously crafted web content to execute code. Apple fixed this issue with improved memory management.

Google's Threat Analysis Group and Amnesty International's Security Lab are credited with finding and reporting both issues to Apple.

Apple has also released a new Safari 16.4.1 update for macOS Monterey and macOS Big Sur, which likely addresses the WebKit vulnerability.

Apple today released macOS Ventura 13.3.1, a minor update to the macOS Ventura operating system released last October. macOS Ventura 13.3.1 comes almost two weeks after the launch of macOS Ventura 13.3.

The ‌‌‌macOS Ventura‌‌‌ 13.3.1 update can be downloaded for free on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Settings.

According to Apple’s release notes for the update, it introduces a fix for a bug that could cause Auto Unlock with Apple Watch not to work, plus it includes a fix for an issue that caused the pushing hands emoji not to show skin tone variations.

macOS Ventura 13.3.1 provides important bug fixes and security updates for your Mac including:

- Pushing hands emoji does not show skin tone variations
- Auto Unlock your Mac with Apple Watch may not work

Apple is already beta testing macOS Ventura 13.4, an update that will follow macOS Ventura 13.3 and should see a release in the next month or so.

Apple today released iOS 16.4.1, a minor update to the iOS 16 operating system that first came out last September. iOS 16.4.1 is a bug fix update that comes almost two weeks after the launch of iOS 16.4, an update that introduced new Emoji, Safari Web Push notifications, Voice Isolation for phone calls, and more.

‌iOS 16‌‌.4.1 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

According to Apple's release notes, iOS 16.4.1 add a fix for an issue that could cause Siri not to respond in some cases, and it adds skin tones variations for the pushing hands emoji.

This update provides important bug fixes and security updates for your iPhone including:

- Pushing hands emoji does not show skin tone variations
- Siri does not respond in some cases

Apple is already testing iOS 16.5, a follow up to iOS 16, and the company will soon transition to working on iOS 17, the next-generation version of iOS that is expected to see an introduction at WWDC in June.

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss the design of Apple's upcoming mixed-reality headset with professional product designer Marcus Kane.

Marcus is an industrial designer and UX consultant who uses virtual and augmented reality headsets on a daily basis to support his workflow. He recently created detailed concept renders of what he expects Apple's mixed-reality headset will look like with YouTuber David Lewis based on rumors, Apple patent filings, and his own expertise.

We talk through Marcus's approach to the design and what existing Apple products inspired him, looking at some of the key aspects that Apple will have had to consider with the device. We also discuss the broader user experience with the headset, including its rumored waist-mounted battery pack – which Marcus has envisioned as enclosed in a pouch on a shoulder-strap that also contains a cable to power the device, potential restriction to indoors use only, and real-world passthrough with a "reality dial."

Since Marcus uses existing headset products to support his design work, we learn about some of practical use-cases for this category of device, where Apple could compete, and what key software features the company could deliver. See more of Marcus's work over in David Lewis's latest video, and follow him on Instagram and Twitter.

We also discuss some of this week's latest Apple news, including the rumor that watchOS 10 will include significant UI changes, iOS 17's purported Control Center redesign, display changes for 2025's iPhone lineup, and more.

Listen to The MacRumors Show in 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. Watch a video version of the show on the MacRumors YouTube channel.

If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion about WWDC 2023 and whether Apple's headset will finally emerge at the event.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for more episodes, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by exciting guests like Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Andru Edwards, Tyler Stalman, Jon Prosser, Sam Kohl, Quinn Nelson, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Sara Dietschy, Luke Miani, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, iJustine, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, Jon Rettinger, Rene Ritchie, and Mark Gurman. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the show, and let us know what subjects you would like the podcast to cover in the future.

Back in December, Tesla announced the launch of a $300 multi-device wireless charger able to charge three Qi devices at one time. There are notable parallels to Apple's now-canceled AirPower charging mat, so we thought we'd check it out to see what it's like.

Design wise, the charger is a flat, angular platform made from aluminum with an alcantara fabric top, which Tesla says was inspired by the Cybertruck. There's some subtle Tesla branding at the front, an LED light to let you know when charging is taking place, and an integrated USB-C cable.

The charger is heavy and well made, but the integrated cable is a negative because if it breaks, there's no way to replace it. Tesla includes a 65W wall adapter that's also modeled after the Cybertruck, plus a removable stand that can be used to transition the charger from a flat orientation to more of an angled orientation.

The Tesla Wireless Charging Platform is able to charge up to three devices at one time from any position on the charging base, which is how Apple wanted the AirPower to work. Three devices can receive up to 15W of power, though iPhones will be limited to 7.5W since this is Qi charging.

Unlike the ‌AirPower‌, Tesla's Wireless Charging Platform does not work with the Apple Watch, but it is compatible with Qi-based iPhones and AirPod models. Given the size of the device, you're probably not going to be able to charge three large smartphones, but two smartphones and a set of AirPods works.

Tesla's charging mat is using FreePower, a technology from Aira that we have seen used in other Qi-based wireless chargers. The Base Station Pro from Nomad, for example, used FreePower and it was remarkably similar to the Tesla product. The Base Station Pro ran into trouble because it was not able to work properly with the iPhone 12 and later due to firmware issues, and it remains to be seen if the Tesla charger will have similar problems with future smartphones.

The Tesla Wireless Charging Platform works as advertised, and generally, you can place a device anywhere on the platform to get it to charge. Position does still matter somewhat, though, because you still need to make sure you have a good alignment with a coil to get the full charging speed.

At $300, and with only Qi-based charging, it's not worth buying the Tesla Wireless Charging Platform unless you're a Tesla superfan. At this point, a MagSafe charger is a much better use of your money if you're in the Apple ecosystem.

What do you think of Tesla's charger? Let us know in the comments below.

As we head into the Easter weekend, various retailers have kicked off notable deal events to coincide with the holiday. Alongside these sales, you'll find all-time low prices on Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch SE, and iPad Air still available this weekend.

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.

Easter Deals

Easter is coming up this Sunday, April 9, and coinciding with the holiday are a few deal events at retailers like Belkin, Casetify, Meross, and Pad & Quill. With these sales, you can save on wireless chargers, USB-C docks, iPhone cases, Bluetooth speakers, HomeKit-compatible products, leather iPad folios, and much more.

Most of these deals will last through Sunday, so you only have this weekend to take advantage of the sales. Also note that some do require you to enter a coupon code at checkout, and we've noted what codes you'll need in the list below.

• Belkin - Save up to 20 percent off chargers with code CHRGA23 and up to 25 percent off docks with code DOCKA23
• Casely - Buy one Power Pod, get an iPhone case for free
• Casetify - Buy one case, get 50 percent off a second case with code Easter23
• JBL - Save up to 50 percent on Bluetooth speakers and headphones
• Meross - Save up to 30 percent on smart home products
• Moment - Save up to 70 percent on photography equipment and more
• Pad & Quill - Save on leather iPad folios and iPhone cases

AirPods

• What's the deal? Take up to $49 off the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 3, and AirPods 2
• Where can I get it? Amazon

Amazon has Apple's AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro 2 for solid second-best prices this weekend, starting at just $99.00 for the AirPods 2 and rising to $199.99 for the AirPods Pro 2. There is also a deal on the AirPods 3 at $149.99, down from $169.00, but stock on this model has been very inconsistent on Amazon this year, so don't expect it to last long.

iPad Air

• What's the deal? Take $99 off the 2022 iPad Air
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon kicked off this week of deals with $99 discounts across nearly every model of the 2022 iPad Air, starting at $499.99 for the 64GB Wi-Fi model and $649.99 for the 256GB Wi-Fi model. You can also still save on cellular versions of the tablet, and Amazon is providing mid-April delivery estimates for most models.

Apple Watch Ultra

• What's the deal? Take $69 off Apple Watch Ultra
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

A match of the all-time low price on the Apple Watch Ultra returned this week on Amazon, with a few models hitting $729.99, down from $799.00. You can find the full list of watches on sale in our original post, and note that you won't see this deal price until you add the wearable to your cart on Amazon and head to checkout.

Apple Watch SE

• What's the deal? Take $30 off Apple Watch SE
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Similar to the Ultra, the Apple Watch SE saw a return of its best-ever price this week on Amazon, starting at just $219.00 for the 40mm GPS model and $249.00 for the 44mm GPS model.

Anker

• What's the deal? Save on Eufy smart trackers and Anker accessories
• Where can I get it? Amazon and Anker
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Later in the week, Anker and Eufy opened up new deals that are still offering savings on Bluetooth smart trackers, portable batteries, USB-C cables, and more. Eufy's smart trackers are down to $16.99 for a 1-Pack on Amazon and Anker is offering up to 25 percent of accessories on its own website. You can find out more details about each sale in our original post.

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

TP-Link’s Kasa Smart brand today announced the launch of its first Matter-certified smart plug, the KP125M. The KP125M is able to connect to HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings setups because of the Matter connectivity.

Matter-compatible devices that are added to a ‌HomeKit‌ setup work the same as HomeKit-enabled devices as long as there is a ‌HomeKit‌ Matter hub, which includes the HomePod, HomePod mini, iPad, and Apple TV. If other people in the home use a different device compatible with a smart home platform from Amazon, Google, or Samsung, the Kasa Smart Plug can be used with that platform as well provided an appropriate Matter hub is available.

The Kasa Smart KP125M provides scheduling and timer capabilities, plus it can be used to monitor energy consumption over time for keeping an eye on energy costs.

According to TP-Link, the KP125M features a compact and flame-retardant design that is meant to keep it from blocking additional outlets. It is designed to work over Bluetooth, and with ‌HomeKit‌ setups, it can be used with the Home app and with Siri voice commands.

The KP125M Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim is priced at $40 for a two-pack, and it can be purchased from Amazon.com.

Apple today announced that its revamped Maps app is rolling out across Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovenia. The new experience provides more detailed road coverage, better navigation, custom-designed 3D models of popular landmarks, Flyover, and more.

Maps can also help drivers in Austria, Czechia, Hungary, and Poland with certain electric vehicles plan trips that include appropriate stops for charging by analyzing elevation changes and other factors along a route. Meanwhile, transit riders in Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovenia can find nearby stations more easily and pin favorite lines. Riders will also receive notifications when it’s time to get off at their stop.

Look Around is also expanding to all of these countries starting today, offering high-resolution street-level imagery in the Maps app. The feature is similar to Google's Street View, but with smoother transitions when panning and zooming.

As noted by Apple Maps expert Juston O'Beirne, this is the eighteenth time that Apple has expanded its new map data since its public launch in September 2018. It has expanded to the U.K., Ireland, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, France, Germany, and select other countries and territories.

An Apple Store at the Alderwood Mall was burgled last weekend, with thieves infiltrating the location through a nearby coffee shop. According to Seattle's King 5 News, thieves broke into Seattle Coffee Gear, went into the bathroom, and cut a hole in the wall to get to the ‌Apple Store‌ backroom.

The burglars were able to bypass the ‌Apple Store‌'s security system by using the adjacent coffee shop, stealing a total of 436 iPhones that were worth around $500,000.

According to Seattle Coffee Gear manager Eric Marks, the coffee shop is not noticeably adjacent to the ‌Apple Store‌ because of the way that the store is laid out. "I would have never suspected we were adjacent to the ‌Apple Store‌, how it wraps around I mean," Marks told King 5 News. "So, someone really had to think it out and have access to the mall layout."

Police were able to obtain surveillance footage of the theft, but as it is part of an active investigation, it has not yet been released. Nothing was stolen from the coffee shop, but it will cost $1,500 to replace locks and repair the bathroom wall.

No employees were at the ‌Apple Store‌ when the theft happened as the Alderwood Mall had closed for the night. An Alderwood spokesperson said they were working with the police to solve the incident, but Apple has not yet commented.

T-Mobile today announced that it has renewed its partnership with Major League Baseball through 2028, providing T-Mobile subscribers with free access to MLB.TV for years to come.

Through T-Mobile Tuesdays, T-Mobile subscribers can get access to MLB.TV, which is valued at $150. According to T-Mobile, MLB.TV access has been one of its most popular offers for the past eight years. With MLB.TV, T-Mobile users get home and away broadcast feeds that offer live and on-demand access to out-of-market regular season games.

The 2023 MLB.TV access window ran through March 28 to April 4, but this is a perk that T-Mobile plans to continue offering in the future.

T-Mobile's MLB partnership also provides 5G access at select MLB stadiums across the United States, and T-Mobile plans to work with MLB to test the automated ball-strike system over the T-Mobile 5G Private Network during select Minor League Baseball games this season.

Best Buy today announced that it now sells unlocked iPhones in the U.S., but only older models are available, including the iPhone 12, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, and third-generation iPhone SE. An unlocked iPhone can be used with a wide variety of carriers.

The unlocked iPhones are in brand new condition and are available at all Best Buy stores and on BestBuy.com starting today, a Best Buy spokesperson said in an email.

Best Buy already sold iPhones locked to AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile, and availability of unlocked models will give customers more flexibility. Best Buy operates over 1,000 stores across the U.S., including in many communities that lack an Apple Store.

Best Buy is not carrying unlocked iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro models at this time.

Today we're tracking a series of deals on iPads, including the 2022 10.9-inch iPad and the 2021 M1 iPad Pro. These sales can be found on Amazon and Expercom, and every deal has been automatically applied so you don't need any coupon codes.

iPad (2022)

Starting with the 2022 iPad, Amazon has nearly every model on sale for all-time low prices right now. You can get the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad for $399.00, down from $449.00, and the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad for $549.00, down from $599.00.

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.

If you want a cellular model, both of these are on sale too. You can get the 64GB cellular iPad for $549.00, down from $599.00, and the 256GB cellular iPad for $699.00, down from $749.00.

Although all of these sales are only $50 markdowns, every one represents a match of an all-time low price on the 2022 iPad.

iPad Pro (2021)

At Expercom, you can save some money on the previous-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro thanks to a few steep discounts. Expercom is one of the only retailers to discount the M1 iPad Pro in 2023, and although they are older tablets, anyone who prioritizes savings over upgraded internals should be interested in these deals.

This sale starts with the 128GB Wi-Fi 12.9-inch iPad Pro for $849.00, down from $1,099.00. Next, Expercom has the 256GB Wi-Fi 12.9-inch iPad Pro for $949.00, down from $1,199.00. In addition to 12.9-inch models, you can also save up to $220 on 11-inch iPad Pro tablets.

The 2021 and 2022 iPad Pro models share an overwhelming majority of their features, so those investing in a 2021/M1 model to save money shouldn't find much that they would be missing out on in the 2022/M2 models. The central advantages on the 2022 tablets come down to the upgraded M2 chip with a 15 percent faster CPU and 35 percent faster GPU, ProRes video recording, and Apple Pencil hover.

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

In every copy of macOS that has shipped since 2018, Apple has included the original Bitcoin whitepaper by Satoshi Nakamoto, and no-one seems to know why.

The baffling discovery (or rediscovery - see below) was recently made by developer and waxy.org writer Andy Baio, who stumbled upon the PDF document while trying to fix a problem with his printer.

Anyone with a Mac running macOS Mojave or later can see the PDF for themselves by typing the following command into Terminal:

open /System/Library/Image\ Capture/Devices/VirtualScanner.app/Contents/Resources/simpledoc.pdf

If you're running macOS 10.14 or later, the 184 KB Bitcoin PDF should immediately open in Preview.

The document can also be located via Finder: Navigate to Macintosh HD -> System -> Library -> Image Capture -> Devices, then open the Contents -> Resources folder. The whitepaper titled "simpledoc.pdf" should be in there.

Baio found that in the macOS Image Capture utility, the Bitcoin whitepaper is used as a sample document for a device called "Virtual Scanner II," which may or may not power Apple's Import from iPhone feature, and is either hidden or not installed for everyone by default.

Baio later discovered that he wasn't the first person to find the Bitcoin document or "Virtual Scanner II." An Apple Community post from 2021 queries its existence in macOS, in addition to a photo taken of a sign at San Francisco Bay's Treasure Island, after designer Joshua Dickens unearthed them in 2020.

It's not known why Apple would choose as a sample document Nakamoto's Bitcoin whitepaper. There has been widespread speculation about the identity of the presumed pseudonymous Bitcoin developer, which is only likely to add to the intrigue. What "Virtual Scanner II" refers to also remains unclear.

According to a source who spoke to Baio, someone filed the Bitcoin paper with Apple as an issue nearly a year ago, and assigned it to the same engineer who put the PDF there in the first place, but that person hasn't taken action or commented on the issue since.

The mystery continues.

With the iPhone 14 models, Apple introduced a Crash Detection feature that is designed to contact emergency services automatically should a collision be detected. Crash Detection has already saved lives, but there have also been a number of complaints about the option accidentally triggering at ski resorts, amusement parks, and in other non-emergency high-activity situations.

Apple has introduced Crash Detection optimizations in the last several iOS 16 updates to try to cut down on false calls, and now the company has new recommendations for users that accidentally activate the crash detection feature. In an updated Crash Detection support document, Apple directs users not to hang up if an accidental call is placed, and to instead explain to the emergency responder that help is not required.

If the call has been made, but you don't need emergency services, don't hang up. Wait until a responder answers, then explain that you don't need help.

Apple also removed a line in the support document that suggested users cancel a call during the timer period. "If you don't need to contact emergency services, tap Cancel and confirm that you don't need emergency services," read the sentence that has been pulled from the document.

The Crash Detection support site continues to suggest that users should dismiss an alert if they are able to do so, but Apple appears to want to put a stop to iPhone users canceling or hanging up on an already-started emergency call and leaving emergency responders wondering what happened.

Emergency dispatchers around ski slopes have been particularly unhappy with the number of accidental calls that are being received from Crash Detection. Skiing and snowboarding tumbles are able to trigger Crash Detection, and with the heavy clothing worn with these activities, ‌iPhone‌ and Apple Watch users sometimes don't notice that an emergency call has been placed.

In Colorado's Summit County, for example, 185 accidental Crash Detection calls were received in a week in January, wasting time and resources needed for actual emergencies. Summit County emergency services director Trina Dummer said in February that the situation threatens to "desensitize dispatchers and divert limited resources from true emergencies."

Apple in response sent four representatives to Summit County to observe the emergency call center, and further optimizations have since been added.

Crash Detection is available on the ‌iPhone 14‌ models and the latest Apple Watch models. Using sensors like the accelerometer and gyroscope, it can detect a severe car crash and automatically call emergency services if a user does not respond to an alert within 20 seconds.

Apple is now sending out emails to let developers know if they've been selected to attend the special WWDC viewing event that will be held on Monday, June 5 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California.

Apple began accepting invites for the viewing event on Wednesday, March 29, the same day that the company announced the official dates for the 34th Worldwide Developers Conference. At the time, Apple said that developers would be informed if they were selected by 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, April 5, following an April 4 submission deadline.

Attendees are selected based on a random lottery system, with Apple Developer Program members, prior-year Swift Student Challenge winners, and Apple Entrepreneur Camp alumni eligible to enter. Apple also plans to invite students who win this year's Student Challenge, but that will involve a separate lottery.

Developers and students selected to attend will be able to visit the ‌Apple Park‌ campus on Monday, June 5. There will be a viewing party for the WWDC 2023 keynote event, as well as a viewing of the Platforms State of the Union. Developers will be able to interface with Apple engineers, visit the Developer Center, attend the Apple Design Awards ceremony, and "enjoy activities into the evening."

Those who plan to go to the viewing event will need to RSVP by April 10, and invitations are non-transferable. Apple is not providing travel or accommodations, so developers and students will need to fund their own travel costs, but the event itself is free to attend.

Germany's Bundeskartellamt (Federal Cartel Office or FCO) antitrust authority today announced that Apple is subject to "extended abuse control" under the German Competition Act, which means that German regulators can prevent the company from engaging in "anti-competitive practices."

FCO president Andreas Mundt said that Apple's economic position is not adequately controlled by competition, giving German authorities the right to step in.

Apple has an economic position of power across markets which gives rise to a scope of action that is not sufficiently controlled by competition. Based on its mobile end devices such as the iPhone, Apple operates a wide-ranging digital ecosystem which is of great importance to competition not only in Germany, but also throughout Europe and the world. With its proprietary products iOS and the App Store, Apple holds a key position for competition as well as for gaining access to the ecosystem and Apple customers. This decision enables us to specifically take action against and effectively prohibit anti-competitive practices.

In the press release, the FCO says that Apple's two billion device active install base gives it a "strong power" to create rules for third parties, with Apple exerting control over customers and access to customers. Combined with Apple's resources, Apple is in a "position of power" that makes it subject to the aforementioned "special abuse control." This designation is valid for five years.

German regulators are already looking into Apple's ad tracking rules and App Tracking Transparency, a measure that requires apps to get explicit user consent before tracking them. The investigation began in 2022 with the aim of determining whether Apple's anti-tracking technology is anti-competitive.

At the current time, the FCO has not decided whether to initiate further proceedings against Apple. Alphabet/Google, Meta/Facebook, and Amazon have previously been subject to these rules. A 2021 amendment to the German Competition Act provided the FCO with the power to "intervene early and more effectively" to prevent major tech companies from engaging in anti-competitive practices.

In a statement to MacRumors, Apple said that it plans to appeal the decision, and that it does not agree with some of the claims used to classify the company as in a position of power.

Apple is proud to be an engine for innovation, job creation, and competition in every market where we operate. The FCO’s designation misrepresents the fierce competition Apple faces in Germany, and it discounts the value of a business model that puts user privacy and security at its core. While we will continue to work with the FCO to understand their concerns, we plan to appeal their decision.

Apple said that the FCO is not presenting an accurate picture of the hardware market in Germany, and that the decision is not based on Apple's true competitive significance. Despite the FCO's claims that Apple's ecosystem limits customer choice, Apple says that iPhone and iPad are not stuck with the Apple ecosystem, but rather choose to use Apple products due to loyalty to the company.

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.