MacRumors

Apple today seeded the fourth beta of the upcoming tvOS 18 refresh to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming two weeks after the third beta came out.

Registered developers are able to download the tvOS 18 update by opting in to the beta through the Settings app on the Apple TV. A registered developer account is required.

tvOS 18 adds an InSight feature to the TV app, and it is able to provide real-time information about actors, music, and more in ‌Apple TV‌+ shows and music. Enhanced Dialogue has been refined with machine learning and computational audio so it is better able to boost vocal clarity over background noise and music, plus it is now available on built-in TV speakers, AirPods, and other Bluetooth devices.

Subtitles will now show up automatically when relevant, such as when the TV's volume is muted, a show or movie is rewound, or when the language of a show doesn't match the device language.

Other new features include 21:9 aspect ratio support for projectors, new screen savers and improved controls for swapping screen savers, and support for Live Captions during FaceTime calls through an iPhone or iPad.

Apple today seeded the release candidate version of an upcoming watchOS 10.6 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new beta coming a week after the release of the fourth beta. The RC represents the final version of watchOS 10.6 that will be released to the public if no additional bugs are found.

To install the ‌watchOS 10.6 update, developers need to open the Apple Watch app, go to the Software Update section under "General" in Settings, and toggle on the watchOS 10 Developer Beta. An Apple ID linked to a developer account is required.

Once beta updates have been activated, watchOS 10.6 can be downloaded under the same Software Update section. To install software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life and it must be placed on an Apple Watch charger.

We don't yet know what's included in watchOS 10.6, and with Apple's focus shifting to watchOS 11, it likely features bug fixes and other minor improvements.

Apple today released the release candidate version of an upcoming visionOS 1.3 update to developers, allowing them to test new features ahead of the software seeing a public launch. The visionOS 1.3 RC comes a week after the release of the fourth beta, and it is the final version of visionOS that Apple will release to the public.

The visionOS beta can be downloaded by going to the Settings app on the device and toggling on developer betas. A registered developer account is required, and Apple recommends making a backup before installing new software.

Apple may make further improvements to Personas, EyeSight, and other features with visionOS 1.3, as well as implement additional bug fixes. No new features have been found in the visionOS 1.3 beta so far.

Apple is planning to release at least one iPhone 17 model next year with mechanical aperture, according to a report published today by The Information.

The mechanical system would allow users to adjust the size of the iPhone 17's aperture, which refers to the opening of the camera lens through which light enters. All existing iPhone camera lenses have fixed apertures, but some Android smartphones have offered variable aperture over the years, such as Samsung's Galaxy S9 series.

Apple is expected to release the iPhone 17 series in September 2025, and it is possible that mechanical aperture will be limited to the rumored high-end "iPhone 17 Ultra" model (dubbed "iPhone 17 Slim" for now). With the devices still being over a year away, however, some of Apple's alleged camera-related plans could change.

This story has been revised.

Lux today released the first update to its pro video recording app Kino for the iPhone, with a handful of new features and changes.

Kino version 1.1 offers precise manual or preset-based white balance control, three new pro color grades for video, a tap-to-focus option that works alongside manual focus, new tutorial videos, and an improved first-time user experience.

The update to Kino is rolling out on the App Store today. The app is 50% off for the next week, with U.S. pricing now set at $9.99, down from $19.99.

Lux, co-founded by Sebastiaan de With, is the developer of the popular third-party camera app Halide for the iPhone and iPad. Kino was first released in late May, with more details about the app outlined in our initial coverage of it.

To learn more about the update to Kino, read the announcement post.

Apple is working on a foldable iPhone that could be released as early as 2026, according to an exclusive report published today by The Information.

The report claims the device would feature a "clamshell" design, similar to Samsung's line of Galaxy Z Flip smartphones. Apple is said to have contacted suppliers in Asia in recent months about making components for the device.

Rumors about a foldable iPhone have circulated for many years, but the report claims that Apple is finally moving forward with the project. The device has allegedly been given a codename of "V68" inside Apple, suggesting that work is ramping up.

Apple is said to have struggled to achieve its goal of eliminating a visible crease in the area where the iPhone's screen would fold, but this obstacle could eventually be overcome. However, there is of course a possibility that Apple decides not to release a foldable iPhone, should the device fail to meet the company's high quality standards.

In any case, it appears that a foldable iPhone is still at least a few years away.

Adobe this week is offering first-time subscribers of the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps plan a 40 percent discount on the service. With this sale, you'll pay $35.99 per month for the plan, down from $59.99 per month, and this price will last through your first year.

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

You can also choose to pay for the entire year upfront at the price of $395.93 per year, down from $659.88 per year. After your first year ends, your subscription will automatically renew at the standard rate unless you change or cancel the subscription. This sale ends August 4.

When signing up for Creative Cloud All Apps, you gain access to more than 20 creative apps, including Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, InDesign, and Acrobat. You also get templates, cloud storage, and thousands of Adobe Fonts.

These programs can be subscribed to individually as well for a monthly fee, but the new offer is only for Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps. Adobe is not discounting individual services. Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.

Last year, ESR was one of the first companies to launch a MagSafe wallet accessory with full support for Apple's Find My network, using an on-board rechargeable module to tap into the network of hundreds of millions of Apple devices to help you keep tabs on your wallet. ESR has returned today with a new crowdfunding campaign for what it says is the first full-fledged wallet with integrated ‌Find My‌ support.

Available in seven color options, ESR's Geo Wallet is a traditional bifold wallet with a thin ‌Find My‌ module that allows you to keep track of your wallet's real-time location via the Items tab in Apple's ‌Find My‌ app. While some wallet makers have introduced wallets that allow you to attach an AirTag and other accessory companies have launched thin card-style ‌Find My‌ trackers, ESR appears to be the first to put the tracker right into the wallet itself, helping to reduce weight and bulk.

ESR says the battery for the ‌Find My‌ module in the Geo Wallet lasts up to five months, and with a magnetic charging cable the battery can be recharged in just two hours.

With windowed slots for two ID cards, four additional slots for bank or membership cards, and a divided compartment for organizing your cash, the Geo Wallet also offer RFID-blocking technology to help keep your cards safe.

The Geo Wallet is available in seven colors: carbon fiber, opal gray, elephant gray, twilight black, cocoa, aged leather, and tangerine.

As with most crowdfunding campaigns, there are multiple reward tiers available with varying pricing. The $38 Super Early Bird tier has already sold out, but there are still some slots left in the $41 Early Bird tier, and if you miss out on those it jumps to $44 at the Kickstarter Special tier. Multipacks are also available.

As a Kickstarter campaign, the Geo Wallet is not available for immediate delivery, but ESR is aiming to start production in August and begin shipping in January, and the company has a track record of delivering on its campaigns.

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

Amazon today has a big sale on the 24-inch M3 iMac, including both 256GB and 512GB models. All of these deals match the all-time low Prime Day prices we tracked last week, and you won't need any coupon codes to see them this time around.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. 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 8-core GPU/256GB M3 iMac, this model is available for $1,149.00 in two colors, down from $1,299.00. Amazon also has the 10-core GPU/256GB M3 iMac on sale for $1,349.00, down from $1,499.00. This one is also available in two colors.

Lastly, the 10-core GPU/512GB M3 iMac has hit $1,549.00 in just one color, down from $1,699.00. All of Amazon's deals today are record low prices on the M3 iMac, and right now only Amazon is offering these steep discounts.

Apple launched the M3 iMac back in October 2023, bringing significant speed and efficiency improvements with the upgrade from the M1 to the M3 chip. Otherwise, there are no major design changes to the newest iMac model. Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) this week announced that it has started upgrading its payment readers with support for Apple Pay with Express Mode. This feature allows transit users to pay for their fare by tapping their iPhone or Apple Watch near the reader, without needing to unlock or wake the device.

The upgrades began rolling out on Monday across select SEPTA Metro stations and buses in the Greater Philadelphia area, according to the announcement.

Express Mode for SEPTA is limited to credit and debit cards added to the Wallet app. It is still not possible to add the SEPTA Key fare card to the Wallet app, and Express Mode does not support SEPTA's discounted weekly or monthly passes.

More details can be found on the SEPTA website.

(Thanks, Stephen Klinck!)

Meta has filed a patent for a feature that closely resembles Apple Vision Pro's EyeSight, Patently Apple reports.

EyeSight is designed to reduce social isolation in VR by making the user's eyes visible to others on an external display. Meta's patent, titled "Embedded Sensors in Immersive Reality Headset to Enable Social Presence," suggests that the company is considering this kind of functionality for its own devices.

EyeSight uses a scan of the user's face to create a virtual image of their eyes on an external display, thereby maintaining a semblance of eye contact and interaction with others in the real world. Apple says that EyeSight "reveals your eyes on the front of your ‌Apple Vision Pro‌, and lets those nearby know when you're using apps or are fully immersed in an experience."

Meta's approach involves a method for updating a user's avatar in real-time using facial expressions detected by sensors embedded in the headset. These sensors capture signals indicative of facial muscle movements, which are then interpreted using a machine learning algorithm to determine the user's facial expression. The system adjusts the user's avatar accordingly and integrates it into an immersive reality application.

The headset in this embodiment includes various sensors, such as ECG (electrocardiogram), EEG (electroencephalogram), and PPG (photoplethysmogram), which not only track facial movements but also monitor the user's cardiovascular health. The integration of health-related functionalities distinguishes Meta's approach from Apple's EyeSight, which primarily focuses on displaying a virtual image of the user's eyes to maintain a connection with the real world.

Meta's decision to file the patent seemingly indicates its recognition of the value in Apple's EyeSight feature, despite the mixed reviews it has received. While some critics have found the feature unnecessary and predict it could be dropped in future models, its introduction highlights a broader industry trend towards enhancing social presence when using headset devices.

Electric automaker Rivian has no plans to introduce support for Apple CarPlay in its vehicles, founder and CEO RJ Scaringe says.

The company's stance was explained in a recent interview with The Verge's Nilay Patel on the "Decoder" podcast. Scaringe emphasized that Rivian's desire to create a seamless and well-integrated digital experience is the primary reason for not adopting ‌CarPlay‌. He likened the decision to Apple choosing to develop iOS and macOS instead of using Microsoft's Windows operating system, stating, "There is a reason that ironically is very consistent with Apple ethos for us to want to control the ecosystem."

Apple ‌CarPlay‌ was introduced in 2014 and allows iPhone users to mirror some of their phone's features on a car's infotainment system, providing access to Siri, navigation, and some apps in a familiar interface. It has become a popular feature in many vehicles, with a significant number of consumers considering it a critical factor in purchasing decisions.

Rivian's rejection of ‌CarPlay‌ stems from a desire to maintain control over the entire user experience within its vehicles. Scaringe highlighted that ‌CarPlay‌'s inability to "leverage other parts of the vehicle experience" would necessitate users to exit the app for certain functions, such as opening the front trunk. He explained, "We have taken the view of the digital experience in the vehicle wants to feel consistent and holistically harmonious across every touchpoint."

The decision to exclude ‌CarPlay‌ is seen as part of Rivian's broader strategy to control the "digital real estate" within its vehicles. Scaringe stated, "We just believe that it is such an important piece of real estate, the digital ecosystem, that it was something we want to retain."

He also acknowledged customer feedback regarding the current shortcomings in Rivian's mapping and navigation systems, an area where ‌CarPlay‌ excels. He noted that Rivian is actively working on improvements, facilitated by the company's acquisition of route planning app maker Iternio.

Despite not supporting ‌CarPlay‌, Rivian plans to incorporate many of its desirable features on an "à la carte basis." The company has already integrated Apple Music with Spatial Audio support. Scaringe expressed his admiration for Apple's products and reiterated the strong relationship between the two companies. However, he emphasized the importance of consistency and control in delivering a "pure product experience" for Rivian customers.

The absence of ‌CarPlay‌ in Rivian's vehicles is not unique in the automotive industry. Tesla has never adopted the feature, and General Motors recently decided to drop support for CarPlay and Android Auto in its future electric vehicle models. In contrast, luxury brands like Porsche and Aston Martin are set to adopt the next-generation CarPlay experience.

The upcoming iPhone 16 models that we're expecting to see in September are going to be quite similar to the iPhone 15 models, but rumors suggest that Apple is making big changes in 2025. We've been hearing hints of an all-new device in the iPhone lineup, and it may be the most expensive iPhone Apple has offered to date.

New 'Slim' Design

Rumors have taken to referring to the new iPhone 17 that Apple has planned as the "‌iPhone 17‌ Slim," but Apple almost certainly won't use that naming. The "slim" descriptor references the sleeker, thinner design of the device.

With the 12.9-inch M4 iPad Pro model, Apple shaved over a millimeter off of the thickness, resulting in the thinnest device Apple has made to date. That same focus on a svelte design is expected in 2025, and the upcoming iPhone is said to be "significantly thinner" than current iPhones.

We don't know specifics on just how thin Apple is going to make this iPhone, but the ‌iPad Pro‌ is just 5.1mm thick and could serve as a blueprint on what to expect.

As for size, the ‌iPhone 17‌ Slim is expected to fall somewhere between the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro. Separate rumors have targeted 6.55 inches, 6.6 inches, and 6.65 inches as the display size that Apple has settled on, which would make it smaller than the iPhone 15 Pro Max (and the rumored iPhone 16 Pro Max).

Though Apple has used titanium for the higher-end iPhone models since last year, the ‌iPhone 17‌ Slim is rumored to have an aluminum chassis. The first rumors that surfaced about the device actually indicated that it would replace the "Plus" iPhone in Apple's lineup, but later information points toward a new high-end iPhone that's even more expensive than the Pro Max.

Based on the rumors we've heard so far, it sounds like the ‌iPhone 17‌ Slim will be akin to the 2017 iPhone X. The iPhone X marked a major jump forward in technology, and it was sold alongside the standard iPhone 8 models.

It's sounding like we're going to get an ‌iPhone 17‌, an iPhone 17 Pro, an ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max, and this new high-end ‌iPhone 17‌ Slim, with Apple eliminating the Plus model entirely. The ‌iPhone 17‌ Slim could be more expensive than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which Apple currently starts at $1,199.

Relocated Cameras

Along with a thinner and lighter design, the high-end ‌iPhone 17‌ could feature the first major rear camera overhaul. Rumors suggest that the cameras could be relocated from the top-left corner of the iPhone to the top center, which could result in a design similar to the Google Pixel.

The Pixel 8 Pro has a raised band across the back of the device that houses a trio of cameras, a laser detect auto focus sensor, and a flash.

Apple is still testing designs for the ‌iPhone 17‌, but the relocated camera bump is a possibility.

Display Improvements

ProMotion display technology that allows for variable refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz is expected for all iPhone models in 2025, including the high-end model, but the bigger news is that Apple is rumored to be using a new display coating.

The new coating is said to have improved anti-reflective properties and better scratch resistance than the current Ceramic Shield coating. It's been described as a "super-hard anti-reflective layer" in leaks.

Apple has used Ceramic Shield since 2020. It's a ceramic-glass hybrid material developed in partnership with Corning. Corning has since made improvements in its protective glass products, and the company's Gorilla Armor material reduces reflectance by up to 75 percent while also boosting drop protection and scratch resistance. Corning has had a longtime relationship with Apple, and while Gorilla Armor was developed for Samsung, Corning could make a similar product for Apple.

Better Selfie Cam and Dynamic Island Changes

A slimmed down Dynamic Island that takes up less screen space is expected for the new ‌iPhone 17‌. There have been rumors for years about under-display Face ID technology, and we could see the first hints of it in 2025.

There will be a smaller hole and pill-shaped cutout for the front-facing camera, but it doesn't sound like Apple is going to reach its all-display design goals just yet.

As part of the ‌Dynamic Island‌ redesign, Apple is rumored to be adopting a 24-megapixel front-facing camera, which would be an upgrade over the current 12-megapixel selfie camera. It will feature a six-element lens for improved image quality, and the boost in resolution will capture more detail and allow for more cropping in without sacrificing quality.

Faster Chips

It sounds like ‌iPhone 17‌ series won't get TSMC's next-generation 2-nanometer chips, but we are expecting A19 chip technology that's likely built on an upgraded 3-nanometer process. Apple typically upgrades iPhones with faster and more efficient chip technology each year, and we're expecting the best chip available in 2025 to be included in the ‌iPhone 17‌ Slim.

TSMC is working on 2nm chips, but mass production isn't expected until the end of 2025, which would be too late for the ‌iPhone 17‌ models. If work speeds up, that could change. Compared to 3nm chip technology, 2nm fabrication process could bring a 10 to 15 percent speed improvement at the same power or a 25 to 30 percent power reduction at the same speed.

Chips built on an upgraded 3-nanometer process won't have the same gains as chips built on the 2-nanometer process, but we can still count on modest boosts to CPU and GPU speeds. With Apple's heavy focus on AI, the dedicated Neural Engine for machine learning tasks is also likely to see improvement.

TSMC is working on its N3P process, with mass production set to begin in late 2024. Compared to earlier versions of ‌3nm‌ chips, the N3P chips offer increased performance efficiency and increased transistor density.

Up to 12GB RAM has been rumored for the high-end ‌iPhone 17‌ models, and that jump would make sense in the more expensive ‌iPhone 17‌ Slim. Currently, RAM maxes out at 8GB.

Read More

For more on what to expect from the ‌iPhone 17‌ lineup in 2025, make sure to check out our iPhone 17 roundup. Our roundups receive regular updates with all of the latest rumors, making them a great resource for tracking rumor development over time.

Google no longer plans to deprecate third-party cookies in the Chrome browser, marking a notable change to a prior decision to phase out third-party cookies by 2025. Google announced its cookie updates in a blog post shared today, where the company said that it instead plans to focus on user choice.

Rather than eliminating third-party cookies entirely, Google will introduce "a new experience in Chrome" that is designed to allow people to "make an informed choice" applicable across their web browsing.

Back in 2020, Google claimed that it would phase out support for third-party cookies in Chrome by 2022, a timeline that was pushed back multiple times due to complaints from advertisers and regulatory issues. Google has been working on a Privacy Sandbox to find ways to improve privacy while still delivering info to advertisers, but third-party cookies will now be sticking around so as not to impact publishers and advertisers.

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had opposed Google's plan to stop relying on third-party cookies because a shift to Privacy Sandbox could limit competition in digital advertising, and now the CMA says that it is reviewing Google's new plan for a user-choice prompt.

Google does not plan to stop working on its Privacy Sandbox APIs, and the company says they will improve over time so that developers will have a privacy preserving alternative to cookies. Additional privacy controls, such as IP Protection, will be added to Chrome's Incognito mode.

As of now, the new customer choices that Google is planning for are being discussed with regulators, with more information to come at a later date.

Last Friday, a major CrowdStrike outage impacted PCs running Microsoft Windows, causing worldwide issues affecting airlines, retailers, banks, hospitals, rail networks, and more. Computers were stuck in continuous recovery loops, rendering them unusable.

The failure was caused by an update to the CrowdStrike Falcon antivirus software that auto-installed on Windows 10 PCs, but Mac and Linux machines were not affected even though they received the same software. A report from The Wall Street Journal delves into what happened and includes some critical information from Microsoft on why Macs did not get taken out by the update.

On Windows machines, CrowdStrike's Falcon security software is a kernel module, which gives the software full access to a PC. The kernel manages memory, processes, files, and devices, and it's basically the heart of the operating system. Much of the software on a PC is typically limited to user mode, where bad code can't cause harm, but software with kernel mode access can cause catastrophic total machine failures, like what was encountered last week.

The Falcon software was not able to wreak similar havoc on Macs because Apple does not give software makers kernel access. In macOS Catalina, which came out in 2019, Apple deprecated kernel extensions and transitioned to system extensions that run in a user space instead of at a kernel level. The change made Macs more stable and more secure, adding protection against unstable software updates like the one CrowdStrike pushed out. It is not possible for Macs to have a similar failure because of the change that Apple made.

In a statement to The Wall Street Journal, Microsoft blamed the European Commission for an inability to offer the same protections that Macs have. Microsoft said that it is unable to wall off its operating system because of an "understanding" with the European Commission. Back in 2009, Microsoft agreed to interoperability rules that provide third-party security apps with the same level of access to Windows that Microsoft gets. Microsoft agreed to provide kernel access in order to resolve multiple longstanding competition law issues in Europe.

Apple has not been forced to make changes to how Macs work, but the European Commission has been targeting the closed nature of iOS, and Apple has warned that the updates that have already been implemented could lead to security risks in the future. The European Union's Digital Markets Act has pushed Apple to allow developers to offer apps through third-party marketplaces and websites. Apple says explicitly that the DMA compromises its ability to "detect, prevent, and take action against malicious apps."

The major CrowdStrike failure that affected Windows PCs highlights some of the unintended consequences and the tradeoffs inherent in legislation that weakens security in the name of open access. CrowdStrike's simple software update impacted global infrastructure, bringing travel, commerce, and healthcare to a standstill.

Microsoft does not seem to have a way to stop a recurrence because it can't cut off kernel access. The company says that significant incidents "are infrequent" and that less than one percent of all Windows machines were impacted. CrowdStrike says that it is "deeply sorry for the inconvenience and disruption," and that in the future, it will share the steps that it is taking to prevent a similar situation.

Apple today added a Classical Top 100 chart to Apple Music Classical, the classical music streaming service that it introduced in early 2023.

The list features the most popular classical music albums that are streamed globally, combining five data sources from more than 165 countries. Top 100 comes from ‌Apple Music‌ Classical streams, ‌Apple Music‌ streams, iTunes downloads, iTunes song sales, and Shazam tags.

According to Apple, the Classical Top 100 list is the most comprehensive classical music chart available. The first number one album is Bach: Keyboard Concertos with Chinese pianist Tianqi Du and the Academy of St Martins in the Fields conducted by Jonathan Bloxham. The top five albums feature artists from Canada, China, Brazil, Latvia, Norway, and the UK, and encompass everything from full orchestral symphonies to solo guitar.

Apple plans to update the Apple Classical Top 100 list each Monday, and it can be found on the ‌Apple Music‌ Classical Home tab. Each chart includes activity from the prior week.

‌Apple Music‌ Classical is a standalone music app designed for classical music lovers and musicians. It has the world's largest classical music catalogue, and it can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Apple today updated its Sports app for iPhone with some changes related to Major League Soccer and Major League Baseball.

The release notes for version 1.5 of Apple Sports indicate that the app now supports Leagues Cup matches between MLS and Liga MX clubs, and the latest version also features an indicator in MLB box scores for pitcher statistics.

The release notes:

• Follow live as every MLS and Liga MX club competes for the Leagues Cup.
• Added an indicator to MLB box scores for pitcher wins, losses, and saves.

Released in February, the Apple Sports app shows scores, schedules, stats, and more for a variety of leagues, such as the NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, and Premier League. The app also displays real-time play-by-play information for ongoing games.

Apple Sports is available for free on the App Store.