Apple's annual Back to School promotion for students will begin this week in the U.S., according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a tweet today, he said the promotion will likely start on Tuesday, after new Macs are announced at WWDC on Monday.
Last year's promotion offered a free Apple gift card worth up to $150 with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad, while free AirPods were offered in 2021. The free item is in addition to Apple's standard educational discounts, with students already able to receive between 5% and 10% off most Macs, iPads, and Apple displays.
The promotion is typically available to students attending or accepted to a college or university, faculty and staff at higher-education institutions, parents purchasing on behalf of an eligible student, employees of a K-12 institution, and select others.
The offer will likely launch in Canada at the same time as in the U.S., followed by European and Asian countries a few weeks later.
Apple’s 2023 Back to School deal will kick off next week (Tuesday likely) after new machines are announced at WWDC. https://t.co/Bio8jm8CBj
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) June 4, 2023
Apple at its upcoming WWDC 2023 Apple Park event plans to provide some developers and attendees with an opportunity to try out the new AR/VR headset following its announcement, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Apple built a new "structure" at the Apple Park campus that is designed to provide controlled hands-on demos of the headset. The test area is at the basketball courts at Apple Park, near the fitness center available to employees.
Demonstrations will be given to members of the media and some developers at the event, but this area will be used for hands-on experiences throughout the summer. Apple may invite developers to Apple Park on an ongoing basis to allow them to test the headset for app development purposes.
There will also be a hands-on area in the Steve Jobs Theater for hardware demonstrations after the keynote. The hands-on experiences will see Apple showing off FaceTime in VR, Apple TV+ content, and games. Customers with select conditions like migraines, vertigo, post-concussion syndrome, and past traumatic brain injuries will be warned against using the headset.
It sounds like Apple will also have a hands-on area in the Steve Jobs Theater - open to developers — for after the keynote — in addition to headset building. The keynote will be played in the same spot as last year but there is a new shade to cover people and prevent sunburns. https://t.co/fuasZ1Cy8F
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) June 2, 2023
If the hands-on experience is similar to previous events, developers and members of the media will be able to test the headset right after the keynote. Apple employees will be providing short, controlled demonstrations.
The AR/VR headset will not be available for sale after WWDC, and it will in fact launch several months after it is first shown off. Mass production has not yet begun, and the latest information suggests a launch ahead of the December holidays.
Apple's WWDC 2023 keynote event is set to be held at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Monday, June 5.
One of Apple's biggest events of the year is right around the corner, with a jam-packed keynote kicking off WWDC 2023 on Monday. Apple's long-rumored AR/VR headset is all but certain to finally come to fruition, but it looks like there will be much more than that revealed at the event.
In addition to the standard previews of upcoming major operating system updates and the headset, it looks like we'll be seeing multiple new Mac models. And of course, the headset will come with a brand-new operating system rumored to be called "xrOS," so read on below for all the details on these stories and more!
What to Expect at 'One of Apple's Longest Ever' WWDC Keynotes on Monday
New Mac Studio Likely to Be Introduced Alongside 15-Inch MacBook Air at WWDC
In addition to the much-rumored 15-inch MacBook Air we're expecting to see on Monday, Apple is also testing new desktop Macs with M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips, according to Gurman. Apple already made the M2 Max chip available in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro earlier this year, while the M2 Ultra chip has yet to be announced.
Users will reportedly be able to control xrOS with eye and hand movements, and we should learn many more details next week. Apple's headset is expected to launch later this year for an estimated price of around $3,000.
iOS 17 Beta for iPhone Coming Next Week With These 12 New Features
The first beta of iOS 17 should be made available to members of Apple's $99/year Developer Program moments after the WWDC keynote next week, while a public beta will likely be available in July for members of Apple's free Beta Software Program.
My Photo Stream is an older service that uploads the last 30 days of images to iCloud, making them accessible across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Apple devices. The service has largely been replaced by iCloud Photos.
Hands-On: What the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro Will Look Like
All four iPhone 15 models are expected to have a USB-C port and the Dynamic Island, while the Pro models are rumored to feature a titanium frame, A17 chip, and more.
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.
CrossOver will gain support for DirectX 12 starting this year to enhance the experience of playing Windows games on macOS, CodeWeavers this week announced.
CrossOver allows macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS users to run Windows apps as if they were native by translating Windows APIs into their Mac equivalents. CrossOver currently only supports Microsoft's DirectX 11. DirectX 12 is the latest collection of graphics rendering APIs available on Windows and Xbox, promising better performance, efficiency, and optimal use of multiple CPU and GPU cores.
Support for DirectX 12 games will be added to CrossOver on a per-title basis to circumvent bugs. From CodeWeavers' press release:
We have the beginnings of DirectX 12 support, and our QA team has confirmed that Diablo II Resurrected is running on macOS with early pre-alpha builds of CrossOver 23, which will be released later this summer. There are still bugs, but the fact that it's running at all is a huge win.
While we are elated with this breakthrough, we acknowledge that our journey has just begun. Our team's investigations concluded that there was no single magic key that unlocked DirectX 12 support on macOS. To get just Diablo II Resurrected running, we had to fix a multitude of bugs involving MoltenVK and SPIRV-Cross. We anticipate that this will be the case for other DirectX 12 games: we will need to add support on a per-title basis, and each game will likely involve multiple bugs.
The first game to gain DirectX 12 support in CrossOver will be "Diablo II Resurrected," but CodeWeavers plans to add more titles in the future. CodeWeavers maintains a compatibility database so you can see what may work work well with the software.
The first beta of CrossOver 23 is set to be released this summer, followed by the official launch later this year.
Apple may announce a major change to Siri that would move away from the "Hey Siri" trigger phrase currently required to invoke the virtual assistant hands-free at next week's WWDC keynote, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In a new tweet, Gurman reiterated that the change to the Siri trigger phrase may be among next week's announcements. In November, Gurman reported that Apple is working on a way for Siri to be able to understand and respond to commands without the need to use "Hey Siri" as a trigger-phrase. Instead, users will simply need to say "Siri."
The company is working on an initiative to drop the "Hey in the trigger phrase so that a user only needs to say "Siri"—along with a command. While that might seem like a small change, making the switch is a technical challenge that requires a significant amount of AI training and underlying engineering work.
The complexity involves Siri being able to understand the singular phrase "Siri" in multiple different accents and dialects. Having two words — "Hey Siri" — increases the likelihood of the system properly picking up the signal.
The change would bring Siri closer to Amazon's voice assistant, which can be triggered simply by beginning a command with "Alexa." At the time, Gurman added that Apple is also working on deeper Siri integrations with third-party apps and services to provide better assistance thanks to additional context.
Gurman initially said that the changes to Siri are expected to roll out sometime in 2023 or 2024, but his latest tweet suggests that it remains a distinct possibility for WWDC next week. Apple's mixed-reality headset is rumored to feature voice controls, so improvements to Siri would likely go hand-in-hand with the announcement of the new device.
The 34th annual Worldwide Developers conference is less than a week away, and it's going to feature one of the most exciting keynote events that we've had in recent years.
Apple is expected to introduce its first new wearable since the launch of the Apple Watch, plus there are new Macs coming and notable features for iOS 17 and watchOS 10. This guide highlights everything rumored to be coming at WWDC 2023.
Hardware
We don't always get hardware at WWDC, and in fact, the event usually focuses on software. Every once in awhile, though, Apple has a new product to show off that's timed well for a June launch, and that's the case this year.
Apple's AR/VR headset has been in active development for years now, and Apple has pushed it back several times to work out ongoing issues. We're expecting to get our first glimpse at the headset at WWDC, though it is not expected to officially launch until later in the year.
The headset is expected to have a thin and light design that will make it more comfortable to wear than competing products, and the lighter weight will be primarily facilitated by an external battery pack that's worn at the hip and connected to the headset through a USB-C cable. Apple wants the headset to weigh around 200 grams, which would be notably lighter than other options.
Battery life will come in at around two hours, but because it's using an external battery pack, batteries will be swappable for longer wear. The headset will support both virtual reality and augmented reality, with a physical Digital Crown-like button to switch between modes.
Leaked design information suggests the headset will be made from aluminum, glass, and carbon fiber, with a look that's not too far off from other VR headsets like the PlayStation VR 2 or the Oculus Quest 2. It will have a sleek front visor that's held on with an Apple Watch-like band, with a mesh that sits against the face.
Two 4K microOLED displays from Sony will offer high-resolution content in a 120-degree field of view, with Apple aiming for 5,000 nits brightness for HDR and 4,000 pixels per inch. HDR is not a typical feature for VR headsets, and that pixel density will outshine all competing headsets. Prescription lenses will be accommodated, and the internal lenses will be able to be adjusted to match the wearer's interpupillary distance.
More than a dozen cameras will track hand movements, leg movements, and facial gestures, plus iris scanning will be available for authentication. Capturing lower body movement is not something most headsets do, and Apple plans to use the cameras to track hand and eye gestures for control purposes. Users will, for example, be able to look at an on-screen item to select it, using hand gestures to interact with it. An "air-typing" feature will be available for text input, though Apple also plans to allow users to enter text with an iPhone, similar to how the Apple TV works. The cameras will also map the surrounding environment for augmented reality applications, with LiDAR scanners also included.
While the headset can connect to a Mac to display what's on the Mac's screen, it is designed to operate independently. There are two Mac-level M2 processors inside, one that's a higher-end chip and one that's a lower-end chip for powering sensors.
The AR/VR headset will run a new operating system that's likely to be called xrOS, with the xr standing for "extended reality." xrOS will be immediately familiar to iOS users, and Apple is developing dedicated apps for the device. Safari, Photos, Messages, Maps, Apple Music, FaceTime, and more will be optimized for a 3D interface, and it will also be able to run 2D iPad apps through a special 3D viewing experience, similar to how YouTube works on a device like the Meta Quest 2.
Apple is developing a dedicated Fitness+ app for the headset for those who want to use the device while exercising, and Health features will guide users through meditations. There will be a media focus with Apple planning to provide a dedicated TV app, and Apple is teaming up with companies like Disney and Dolby for content.
Apple is already working with gaming developers to help them update their existing content for mixed reality, and FaceTime will also be a focus. FaceTime will support one-on-one chats with realistic avatars featuring a user's actual face and body, while multi-person chats will use Memojis.
Rumored Key Features:
Dual 4K microOLED displays with 5,000 nits brightness and 4000 pixels per inch.
Over a dozen cameras for monitoring facial expressions, hand gestures, and mapping the environment.
Iris scanning authentication.
Virtual and augmented reality capabilities with Digital Crown to swap modes.
M2 chips, including high-end main processor and lower-end processor for sensors.
xrOS operating system with 3D-optimized apps and option to run existing iPad apps.
Unfortunately, next-generation 3-nanometer M3 chips aren't ready for launch, so the new 15-inch MacBook Air will use the same M2 chips Apple introduced last year.
We are not expecting any design changes aside from the larger display, and high-end features like a 120Hz refresh rate will remain limited to the MacBook Pro.
Rumored Key Features:
Display size around 15.5 inches.
Design and feature set similar to the current M2 MacBook Air.
M2 chips inside, with Apple likely offering 8-core and 10-core GPU variants. M3 chips are not expected.
Mac Studio
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is currently testing desktop Macs that feature M2 Ultra and M2 Max chips. It's looking like these desktop Macs could be a new version of the Mac Studio, and while Gurman did not explicitly say these machines will come at WWDC, it is definitely implied.
Gurman has confirmed that Apple will introduce multiple Macs at WWDC. One will be the 15-inch MacBook Air, and evidence points to a refreshed Mac Studio with M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips as the second machine. Aside from new M2 chips, we aren't expecting major changes to the Mac Studio as it was just introduced last year and still has a fresh design.
Software
WWDC is traditionally an event focused on new software releases, and this year, we're expecting iOS 17 and macOS 14, along with the new xrOS operating system.
iOS 17 is expected to offer some of the "most requested features" that have been on users' wishlists, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has described it as offering quality of life improvements.
With iOS 16, Apple introduced a new Lock Screen experience with widgets and customization, and the company may add even more functionality in iOS 17. Gurman says there will be a feature to turn the iPhone into a "smart-home display" that will serve as a home data hub when it's placed in a horizontal orientation on a charger or a stand.
It will show information like calendar appointments, weather data, notifications, and HomeKit data, offering an interface similar to what you might get with an Echo Show or Google Nest Hub. Apple may add other functionality, such as the option to share custom Lock Screens with others and more immersive Live Activity options for apps like Maps. We could also see iPhone-style Lock Screen customizations come to the iPad.
Apple is rumored to be overhauling the Control Center and adding more functionality to the Dynamic Island, though we're light on specifics. We are expecting a dedicated journaling app that will let users track and record their activities and thoughts each day. The app will offer up potential topics that a user might want to write about, and it could possibly integrate with a new mood tracking feature coming to the Health app.
Apple plans to bring the Health app to the iPad this year, and there will also be a few other Health additions like support for eye conditions and prescriptions.
There will be new features and design updates for the Wallet app, Find My, and SharePlay, along with improvements to performance, efficiency, and stability. New Accessibility features have already been outlined, and this year, a whole new CarPlay interface is coming, with functionality built into iOS 17.
Notably, Apple will introduce support for sideloading apps in Europe, which will let European customers get apps outside of the App Store for the first time. European regulators have introduced a law that requires Apple to support sideloading, so it's a feature that Apple plans to limit to Europe rather than implementing worldwide as other countries do not mandate App Store alternatives.
Rumored Key Features:
Lock Screen "Home Hub" display option.
Dedicated journaling app for recording daily activities and thoughts.
Mood tracking in the Health app.
Find My improvements.
Support for sideloading apps in Europe.
Performance, efficiency, and stability improvements.
xrOS is the software that will run on the headset, and like all of Apple's platforms, the headset will have its own App Store for downloading apps. Apple has been trademarking the xrOS name in various countries, and rumors suggest that's the name that the company has settled on.
The software is expected to have an iOS-like interface with on-screen elements controlled by hand and eye gestures, though connections to iPhones, iPads, and Macs will be possible. On a Mac, for example, it can serve as a display option, with a mouse and keyboard serving as inputs. The iPhone will be able to be used for text input and perhaps other functions.
Apple is developing dedicated apps for the headset, and working with third-party media companies and gaming companies to have dedicated 3D content for the device. There are re-imagined versions of several stock apps like Maps, Safari, Photos, and FaceTime, and there will be a specific focus on TV content like sports, gaming, and communication through FaceTime.
Along with dedicated apps, the headset is expected to run iPad apps in some capacity, so there will be a catalog of content at launch. These won't be full 3D experiences, but will instead show the iPad apps in 2D in a 3D environment.
Apple is creating a robust set of developer tools with the hopes of encouraging developers to create apps and games optimized for an AR/VR interface.
Rumored Key Features:
iOS-like design.
Controlled through hand and eye gestures.
Option to connect to Mac to serve as a Mac's display.
Can run iPad apps.
Standard stock Apple apps optimized for 3D.
FaceTime with realistic avatars.
TV and sports focus with partnerships with companies like Disney.
macOS 14
macOS 14 is the next-generation software that will run on the Mac, but unfortunately, we know little about it at this time. Apple has been using California-themed naming for the last several years, and some of the still-available name options include Rincon, Mammoth, Shasta, Farallon, Diablo, Sequoia, Sonoma, Grizzly, and Redwood. Apple could also go with a name that it has not trademarked before, as it did with macOS High Sierra and macOS El Capitan.
macOS 13 is named after Ventura, California, so a place in or near Ventura is a candidate if Apple aims for a smaller update on par with El Capitan and High Sierra.
As for features, we could see the same journaling app that's coming to iOS, along with the updates to Find My, SharePlay, and other cross-platform features. There's no word yet on what Mac-specific features we might get.
Apple Watch models in 2023 aren't going to get much in the way of updates, with Apple making up for the lack of hardware features with new software.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has described watchOS 10 as a "fairly extensive upgrade" for watchOS, with the software set to introduce notable new features. Widgets will be a key part of the update, with Apple planning to bring back a widget-focused interface similar to the "Glances" view used in prior versions of watchOS.
Apple is ready to stop focusing as much attention on full apps as most people do not use them, and will instead put at-a-glance information front and center. Widgets will offer up a quick, interactive way for users to access key information on the Apple Watch.
Widgets may be accessible from any watch face, with users able to swipe between the available widget options, similar to how a widget stack works on the iPhone. Apple may also let the Digital Crown and Side Buttons be customizable, offering up access to widgets rather than apps or the Home Screen.
Rumored Key Features:
Extensive interface changes.
Major focus on widgets for quicker interactions and access to information.
Possible changes to grid-based main layout.
Widget stack for watch faces.
tvOS 17 and HomePod Software 17
Alongside iOS 17, Apple will likely introduce new versions of tvOS and the HomePod software, but these are often light on features and less of a focus than other updates. We don't know what to expect from tvOS 17 or HomePod Software 17 as of yet.
Other Announcements
Along with all of the major product and software announcements, we could also see iPhone cases, iPad cases, and Apple Watch bands in new summer colors.
Apple Pay Later, a feature that Apple is testing right now, could see wider availability following WWDC.
For those who are unable to watch, we'll have a live blog on MacRumors.com and will live tweet all of the announcements from the MacRumorsLive Twitter account, so make sure to follow if you want to keep up with what's going on.
We'll also have in-depth coverage of all of Apple's announcements throughout the day on the MacRumors website.
More Coverage
In addition to our daily news coverage, we also have a long list of dedicated roundups and guides where we keep track of rumors for upcoming releases, and these are great to follow if you can't keep up with the site each day.
Following the WWDC 2023 keynote event on June 5, Apple will release iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 14, tvOS 17, and HomePod Software 17 betas to developers for testing purposes. The early launches will allow developers to immediately begin working to incorporate new functionality into their apps.
Some version of xrOS may also be released immediately as developers will need plenty of time to develop apps for the headset ahead of its release.
We could see same-day pre-orders for the 15-inch MacBook Air and any other apps that are announced, or Apple could wait for Friday, June 9 to accept pre-orders. A launch will likely happen around June 16.
As for the headset, we are not expecting it to launch at WWDC. Apple will unveil it, provide tools for developers to design apps, and ultimately make it available for sale later in the year. It could be available for purchase as early as September or as late as December.
Apple's rumored AR/VR headset will be available in six colors, according to a sketchy rumor shared by Twitter account @billbil_kun, which accurately leaked a spec sheet for Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra before that device was announced earlier this year.
In a blog post today on French deals website Dealabs, spotted by iPhoneAddict, the anonymous leaker claimed that Apple's headset will be available in black, blue, gray, green, pink, and a sixth undisclosed color. They also claimed that the headset will have at least two storage capacity options, including 128GB and 256GB.
This rumor should be treated with skepticism for a variety of reasons. First, six colors and at least two storage capacities would result in a minimum of twelve product SKUs, which seems unusually high for a headset that is expected to be a niche, high-end product priced at around $3,000. Second, it's unclear if Apple would bother offering both 128GB and 256GB storage options given there would likely be a negligible price difference between the capacities. And third, the leaker does not appear to have any track record with Apple rumors, despite having some accurate Samsung and video game leaks.
One possibility that would make the rumor slightly more believable is that the color options would be for the head strap, which could potentially be interchangeable like AirPods Max ear cushions are. However, it is still questionable whether Apple would bother with the added manufacturing complexities that come with extra color options for a headset that is estimated to ship in low volumes in its first year of availability.
Apple is expected to unveil the headset during its WWDC keynote on Monday, so we're only three days away from finding out if this rumor is accurate.
Apple has invited some developers to watch the WWDC keynote event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, but for those who are unable to attend, Apple has highlighted a range of "Beyond WWDC" events that are happening next week. These events are designed for developers who want to meet up for learning, networking, and more.
There are WWDC-themed events taking place worldwide, including online. A number of watch parties are happening, for example, in places like Copenhagen, Helsinki, Tokyo, and Istanbul, along with a number of WWDC meetups.
Developers who are interested can find a list of activities to partake in through Apple's developer website.
To get developers and customers in the mood for a fresh wave of announcements, Apple has also shared a WWDC23 Power Up Playlist that's available on Apple Music. The playlist features songs from Dua Lipa, Romy, Diplo, Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Calvin Harris, Coi Leray, and more.
WWDC is set to take place next week, starting with a keynote event that will be held on Monday, June 5 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
Starting with iOS 17, the Wallet app on iPhone may be able to show balances for a wider range of credit cards set up with Apple Pay, according to a report today from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Currently, only the Apple Card's balance can be viewed in the app.
"The Wallet app will get an upgrade as the company pushes deeper into financial services," wrote Gurman. "That could include the app tying deeper into third-party credit cards to show balance information, mirroring the experience of the Apple Card."
Like many other financial-related features, it is possible that the expanded credit card balance feature would only be available in the U.S. at launch.
Gurman revealed this potential new Wallet app functionality as part of a broader recap of his WWDC expectations. His report outlines several details about Apple's long-rumored AR/VR headset, new Macs, iOS 17, and other announcements planned. WWDC begins with Apple's keynote on Monday, June 5 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.
Amid rumors that this year's WWDC keynote could be one of the longest ever Apple events to introduce a series of new hardware products and major software updates, on the this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss everything we're expecting to see.
During its WWDC keynote on Monday, Apple is likely to preview a series of major updates for its operating systems, including watchOS 10, iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS 14. The company is also expected to unveil an all-new 15-inch MacBook Air and refreshed Mac Studio models. Most importantly, Apple's first mixed-reality headset is expected to make its long-awaited debut at the event, alongside its operating system: "xrOS." To learn more about exactly what Apple is expected to announce based on rumors, see our detailed guide:
If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion with MacRumors founder Arnold Kim about some of the history of the website and the world of Apple news and rumors.
Sonos today kicked off a big sale that has up to 25 percent off select products through June 18. It's been four months since we tracked a sale on new Sonos devices, so if you've been waiting to buy a speaker or sound bar this month is definitely the time to shop on Sonos.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Sonos. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
All discounts in the new sale have been applied automatically, so you won't need any coupon codes in order to see the sale prices. The sale includes savings on speakers, portable Bluetooth speakers, sound bars, subwoofers, and more. We've collected a few of the best deals below, but be sure to visit the Sonos website to see the full sale.
Apple's long-rumored AR/VR headset will enter mass production in October and launch by December, according to investment firm Morgan Stanley. Apple is still expected to unveil the headset at WWDC next week, and provide developers with tools to create apps for the device, which is expected to have its own App Store.
"While we expect Apple's AR/VR headset to be unveiled next week, our supply chain checks suggest mass production won't start until October '23, with general availability most likely ahead of the December holidays," said Erik Woodring, an Apple analyst at Morgan Stanley, in a research note obtained by MacRumors.
Apple's supply chain is preparing to assemble only 300,000 to 500,000 headsets in 2023, according to Woodring. As widely rumored, he believes the headset will have a starting price of around $3,000, and he expects gross margins to be "close to breakeven at first," suggesting that Apple will initially make minimal profits on the device.
Morgan Stanley also reiterated that Apple plans to announce a new MacBook Air at WWDC, but it's unclear if this information is independently sourced or simply corroborating other rumors. Apple's keynote begins on Monday, June 5 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.
Apple is calling on experts with backgrounds in generative AI to work with the company's "most advanced technologies," including augmented and virtual reality, according to new job listings posted by the company.
One new listing posted on Apple's jobs website, highlighted by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, seeks a software engineer in Cupertino to work on machine learning models to build apps related to augmented and virtual reality.
AI represents a huge opportunity to elevate Apple's products and experiences for billions of people globally. Apple's Learning Technology Group is looking for Machine-Learning engineers with a background and/or interest in Conversational and Generative AI! You will be leveraging innovative models to build applications on top of Apple's most advanced technologies, while developing your expertise in Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR).
Gurman believes that there will eventually be an on-device way to develop apps for Apple's mixed-reality headset, which is expected to be unveiled at the company's WWDC keynote next week.
This new Apple job listing is seeking those interested in “Conversational and Generative AI” and seems to imply there will be an on-device way to create AR/VR apps on the headset — eventually. pic.twitter.com/RAPR7Txwxf
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) June 1, 2023
In January, The Information reported that Apple is working on new software tools that will allow both developers and customers to create augmented reality apps for its headset, including via Siri. From the report:
With the software tools, Apple hopes that even people who don't know computer code could tell the headset, via the Siri voice assistant, to build an AR app that could then be made available via Apple's App Store for others to download. The tool, for example, could allow users to build an app with virtual animals moving around a room and over or around real-life objects without the need to design the animal from scratch, program its animations and calculate its movement in a 3D space with obstacles.
Last month, it emerged that Apple was hiring for at least a dozen new experts in generative AI amid rumors that the company is stepping up its work on AI. The Apple job listings sought a range of machine learning specialists "passionate about building extraordinary autonomous systems." The openings were for positions in the Integrated System Experience, Input Experience NLP, Machine Learning R&D, and Technology Development Group.
Some of the roles, such as a Visual Generative Modeling Research Engineer, specifically involve work on "visual generative modeling to power applications across computation photography, image and video editing, 3D shape and motion reconstruction, avatar generation, and much more."
Following the launch of an official ChatGPT app for iPhone, it emerged that Apple has banned employees from using such utilities due to security concerns and work on its own similar technology. In March, DigiTimes reported that Apple is "re-examining" its work on artificial intelligence. The company is now believed to be testing generative AI concepts that could one day be destined for Siri.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has confirmed that Apple is nearing the introduction of what appears to be a refreshed Mac Studio model, indicating that it could be announced at WWDC next week.
On Twitter, Gurman explained that the new Mac in question is codenamed "J475." The current Mac Studio is codenamed "J375," suggesting that the new machine is indeed a next-generation Mac Studio model.
Earlier this week, Gurman reported that Apple is testing two desktop Macs equipped with the M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips. The M2 Max was released in January upon the launch of the latest 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, but the M2 Ultra chip is new and would succeed the M1 Ultra chip that Apple uses in the Mac Studio.
Can confirm Apple is nearing the introduction of a new Mac codenamed J475. What’s the codename of the current Mac Studio? J375. https://t.co/X4f2n2Mtni
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) June 1, 2023
According to Gurman, the M2 Max Mac in testing features eight high-performance cores, four efficiency cores, a 30-core GPU, and 96GB RAM. This is the same as the chip in the M2 Max version of the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
The M2 Ultra Mac apparently has 16 high-performance cores and 8 efficiency cores, and a 60-core GPU, though prior information suggests that the M2 Ultra could feature up to 76 GPU cores. Different configurations feature 64GB, 128GB, and 192GB of memory.
Apple is believed to be testing these new Macs just days ahead of the WWDC keynote, and Gurman says that he expects multiple Macs to be introduced at the event, including an all-new 15-inch MacBook Air model. Gurman has stopped short of saying the new Mac Studio will be introduced at WWDC, but it seems highly likely at this point.
"Stray," an adventure game that lets players take on the role of a cat, will soon be available on the Mac. Introduced in 2022, Stray has previously been limited to Windows machines and PlayStation consoles.
In Stray, a stray cat finds himself stuck in a walled city filled with robots and mutant bacteria. The cat must make his way back up to the surface with the help of B-12, his drone companion.
Stray offers third-person gameplay and it requires players to solve puzzles, bypass obstacles, and complete quests while avoiding monsters like Zurks (evil bacteria) and Sentinels (security bots). Much of the game is platform-based, involving climbing up various obstacles and interacting with the environment to open up new pathways. There are cat behaviors too, of course, such as sneaking, sleeping, meowing, and nuzzling up to NPCs to get pets.
On the Mac, Stray will take advantage of MetalFX Upscaling for accelerated graphics performance with high quality visuals, and it will be available to play on Apple silicon Macs.
There is no launch date for Stray as of yet, but it is coming to the Mac "this year."
Windows users will want to make sure that they are running the latest version of iTunes, iTunes 12.12.9, in order to gain protection from a recently uncovered security vulnerability.
Apple released iTunes 12.12.9 on May 23, and it fixes an issue that could allow malicious apps to gain elevated privileges to install malware on a Windows machine. While the vulnerability was addressed last week, Synopsys, the security company that discovered the problem, today shared some details on how it worked.
iTunes had a privileged folder with weak access control, allowing a malicious person to redirect the folder creation to the Windows system directory, which could then be used to obtain a higher-privileged system shell.
The iTunes application creates a folder, SC Info, in the C:\ProgramData\Apple Computer\iTunes directory as a system user and gives full control over this directory to all users. After the installation, the first user to run the iTunes application can delete the SC Info folder, create a link to the Windows system folder, and re-create the folder by forcing an MSI repair, which can be later used to gain Windows SYSTEM level access.
All versions of iTunes prior to 12.12.9 are impacted by this vulnerability, and so iTunes users who are running older versions of the software should make sure to update.
Synopsys first discovered the problem in September 2022, and told Apple about it at that point. Apple confirmed the vulnerability in November, and then patched it in May. Apple did not say that this exploit was known to have been used in the wild so it is not as critical as some other vulnerabilities, but it is still a good idea to install the latest version of iTunes right away.
Targus today announced the launch of the Cypress Hero Backpack with built-in Find My integration that works with the Find My app on Apple devices.
Priced at $150, Targus says that the backpack combines eco-friendly materials, laptop protection, and a built-in location feature to keep tech items safe. The backpack can be tracked through the Items tab in the Find My app, right alongside AirTags and other trackers.
There is a padded laptop compartment that fits laptops up to 15.6 inches in size, a main compartment for files and gear, a smaller pocket for accessories, and a quick-stash pocket at the front. It features a 22L capacity and a padded back panel for a comfortable fit.
The included Find My location module uses a CR2032 battery much like an AirTag, and the battery should last up to 300 days depending on usage.
Targus first announced the Find My-compatible backpack in November 2021 and showed it off at CES 2022, and it appears to have taken well over a year for the accessory to actually launch. This is not the first Find My backpack on the market, as Hyper (owned by Targus) also has a Find My-enabled backpack.
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Apple is planning to expand on its Apple Store efforts, introducing a number of new retail locations worldwide and overhauling several stores in the United States, reports Bloomberg.
There are 15 new stores coming to the Asia-Pacific region, five stores coming to Europe and the Middle East, and four stores coming to the U.S. and Canada. Another 28 stores in Asia, Europe, and North America will be revamped or relocated, with Apple working on the updates through 2027.
Three of the Asia-Pacific stores will be in India, one will be in Malaysia, two will be in South Korea, and one will be at the Jing'an Temple Plaza in Shanghai, with Apple also planning to overhaul its Shinsaibashi store in Osaka, Japan. In Europe, Apple plans to upgrade its Paris Opéra location and open new stores at the Battersea Power Station in London and La Vaguada in Madrid.
New Apple retail locations are coming to Miami, Detroit, and Torrance, California, while stores in New Jersey, Alabama, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, Georgia, and Missouri will be relocated.
Apple recently redid Apple Tysons Corner in Virginia, introducing a total overhaul of its first-ever Apple retail location. The store features a physical Genius Bar, a flexible hardware space, and an in-person Apple Watch Studio, and it's possible that some of these features could come to the new stores that are planned.
Bloomberg says that Apple is primarily updating older, smaller stores, with full details on specific locations for the new stores available from the site.
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