MacRumors

Following a three-year absence, the hugely popular and controversial podcast The Joe Rogan Experience is back on Apple Podcasts after Spotify gave up exclusivity as part of a multiyear deal renewal with Rogan.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rogan on Thursday said that "the podcast is now officially back on @apple. We should be back on @youtube with full episodes in the coming weeks."

Under the new deal, which is said to be worth up to $250 million, Rogan's show will be available on other content platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube. The move is part of Spotify's revised strategy to forego exclusive streaming rights in favor of broader distribution.

As part of the renewed deal, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, Spotify will handle distribution and ad sales for the podcast. Rogan will receive a guaranteed minimum fee from Spotify as well as a cut of advertising revenue.

"For more than three years, The Joe Rogan Experience has consistently been the No. 1 podcast across the globe," Spotify said when it announced the renewed deal last week. That accords with Edison Research's Q3 2023 survey of most listened-to podcasts, in which The Joe Rogan Experience ranked number 1 for the period. It was also the second most listened-to podcast for women 13 and older in the U.S., according to Edison.

Since launching in December 2009, Rogan's podcast has involved candid and varied discussions on topics like politics, health, and society. In recent years it has gained notoriety through Rogan's practice of inviting guests that hold extreme or unconventional views. The show has also faced significant criticism for spreading misinformation and giving a platform to divisive figures.

EU developers can now add alternative app marketplaces to App Store Connect, Apple said today. Apple is also accepting submissions for the Notarization process, which is required for all apps that will be distributed through alternative marketplaces.

Apple is making these changes to ‌App Store‌ Connect ahead of the launch of iOS 17.4, an update that overhauls the app ecosystem in the European Union. Alternative app marketplaces are special iOS apps that can be downloaded onto an iPhone from a website or a web browser, serving as an alternative to the ‌App Store‌. App marketplaces are able to distribute iOS apps, giving developers a way to sell their apps without using the ‌App Store‌.

Both alternative marketplaces and apps that are added to the ‌iPhone‌ through one of the marketplaces are checked over by Apple to prevent malware, viruses, and similar malicious content.

To add an alternative app marketplace or submit an app for Notarization, developers must agree to Apple's new business terms. The business terms include a Core Technology Fee that requires app marketplaces to pay .50 euros per install, and apps to pay the same fee after 1 million installs.

With alternative app marketplaces able to be added to ‌App Store‌ Connect, marketplace distribution and marketplace apps can be set up, and TestFlight can be used to beta test new features.

TestFlight also supports apps that use alternative browser engines and alternative payments through third-party payment providers.

Apple is currently testing visionOS 1.1, the first major update to the visionOS operating system that runs on the Vision Pro. visionOS 1.1 updates Personas, and multiple reports suggest the software makes Personas look better than before. We thought we'd take a closer look at Personas in visionOS 1.1, comparing the update to the prior visionOS 1.0.2 software.

Personas are a key feature on the Vision Pro, representing the user in video calls on FaceTime, Zoom, and other platforms. Personas are a digital representation of the Vision Pro wearer, and are captured using the headset itself. With the Vision Pro, the wearer takes a 3D facial scan that captures their facial structure, expressions, hand movements, and more. Apple describes a Persona as an "authentic spatial representation" of a person.

Apple released Personas in a beta capacity, and it's not hard to see why with the Personas that have been shared on the initial versions of the visionOS software. Reviewers have called personas "deeply weird," "deep in the uncanny valley," "ridiculous," and "frightening."

With visionOS 1.1, Personas have more natural looking eyes, skin tone improvements, and more detail that adds realism, though Apple's scanning feature still struggles with hair.

Most Personas are noticeably better with the 1.1 update, but Apple still needs to do a lot of work to eliminate the otherworldly, unnatural vibe that the virtual representations give off. visionOS 1.1 is available to developers in beta right now, and it will likely see a launch in March alongside iOS 17.4.

The update also adds Contact Key Verification, support for resetting the headset without a computer, and support for mobile device management.

The latest Tesla software adds Ultra Wideband support (UWB) to improve the function of the built-in Phone Key feature in the Tesla app (via Tesla North). Tesla owners can use Phone Key to lock and unlock their vehicles without a physical key.

Ultra Wideband support provides more precise tracking capabilities than Bluetooth, which means the Phone Key feature will better recognize when an iPhone is near a vehicle to unlock/lock it at the appropriate time. From the release notes:

Ultrawide band (UWB) technology is now available for Phone Key. So your vehicle and Phone Key can communicate with greater accuracy to more responsively lock, unlock, and open Automatic Doors.

Tesla owners will need both a vehicle that supports Ultra Wideband and an ‌iPhone‌ with Ultra Wideband to take advantage of the new capabilities. Enabling the updated UWB key requires going to the Phone Key section of the Tesla app (which must be upgraded to version 4.29.5) and following the upgrade steps.

Apple today released macOS Sonoma 14.3.1, a minor update to the macOS Sonoma operating system that came out last September. macOS Sonoma 14.3.1 comes a few weeks after the release of macOS Sonoma 14.3.

The ‌‌‌macOS Sonoma‌ 14.3‌.1 update can be downloaded for free on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Settings.

Today's update addresses a frustrating macOS Sonoma bug that could cause text to get randomly replaced while typing. There have been multiple complaints about the issue, which affected web pages and apps like Mail and Messages.

The problem has persisted for several months, and has been an issue through multiple versions of Sonoma.

Apple today released watchOS 10.3.1, a minor update to the watchOS 10 operating system that was released in September. watchOS 10.3.1 comes a few weeks after the launch of watchOS 10.3, an update that brought a new watch face.

‌watchOS 10‌‌.3.1 can be downloaded for free through the Apple Watch app on an iPhone running iOS 17 or later by opening it up and going to General & Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery and it needs to be placed on a charger.

According to Apple's release notes, the watchOS 10.3.1 update adds unspecified "improvements and bug fixes."

Apple today released iOS 17.3.1 and iPadOS 17.3.1, minor updates for the iOS 17 and iPadOS operating systems that were released in September 2023. iOS 17.3.1 and iPadOS 17.3.1 comes a few weeks after Apple released iOS 17.3 with Stolen Device Protection.

iOS 17.3.1 and iPadOS 17.3.1 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

According to Apple's release notes, the update includes a fix for a bug that could cause text to unexpectedly duplicate or overlap while typing.

Popular password management app LastPass is warning customers about a fraudulent app that uses a similar name and icon to attempt to trick LastPass customers into using the fake app instead of the real app (via Bleeping Computer).

The "LassPass Password Manager" app was somehow approved by Apple's App Store review team, even though it appears to clearly mimic the LastPass app. It doesn't use exactly the same icon and the name is a letter off, but the similarities could confuse some LastPass users.

It is unclear if the fake LassPass app is attempting to steal login information from users, but it does have options for adding passwords, email accounts, addresses, bank accounts, credit cards, debit cards, and more. It doesn't ask for a LastPass login of any kind, but it is possible that the developer can see information added to the app.

There is also a "PRO" upgrade that costs $1.99 per month, $9.99 per year, or $49.99 for a "lifetime" subscription, so the aim of the app may be collecting subscription money from customers. Either way, LastPass users should be aware of the fake app and should avoid it. At best it is aiming to steal money, and at worst, it is stealing passwords and credit card information.

Clone apps often make their way into the ‌App Store‌, but the app impersonating LastPass is particularly concerning because it could be accessing sensitive information. It is not clear how an app mimicking one of the most popular password management apps was approved by Apple, and its discovery comes at a critical time for the company.

Apple has been promoting the safety and security of the ‌App Store‌ as it prepares to allow for alternate app marketplaces in the European Union, and allowing a fake password management app onto the ‌App Store‌ is not a good look.

LastPass contacted Apple to get the clone app removed from the ‌App Store‌, and it was pulled at around 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on February 8.
Apple removed the fraudulent LassPass app because it violated the ‌App Store‌ rule preventing copycat apps. The developer has also been removed from the Apple Developer Program and won't be able to submit future apps.

Apple is continuing to hype the upcoming Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show that's set to air this weekend, with the company sharing a full mini film for its "Where's Usher?" ad campaign.

Yesterday, Apple shared a small teaser of the skit starring Ludacris, Lil Jon, Taraji P. Henson, and Apple CEO Tim Cook, but today the full 7-minute spot is available to watch on YouTube. Additional stars show up in the longer version, including Wesley Snipes, J Balvin, Anderson .Paak, Blue Man Group, and Criss Angel.

In the promo, the main trio continue their search for Usher in Las Vegas, ultimately locating him doing an impromptu performance in the Caesars Palace fountain.

Usher will headline the ‌Apple Music‌ Halftime Show for Super Bowl LVIII, which takes place at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday, February 11.

Following a few deals on the 10th generation iPad we shared this morning, Best Buy today is also discounting a collection of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro notebooks. Some of these deals require a My Best Buy Plus or Total membership, which are available from $49.99/year.

MacBook Air

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

Starting with the 13-inch M1 MacBook Air, Best Buy has the 256GB model for $749.99, down from $999.99. This is a match of the all-time low price on the M1 MacBook Air, and it's available in Gold, Space Gray, and Silver.

MacBook Pro

There are a few more MacBook Pro models on sale compared to the MacBook Air deal, and these are also at all-time low prices. It's worth noting that the MacBook Pro deals will require you to have a My Best Buy Plus or Total membership in order to see the record low prices, but even without one you can find some solid second-best prices on Best Buy.

Starting with the M3 512GB 14-inch MacBook Pro, you can get this model for $1,399.00 with a My Best Buy Plus/Total membership, down from $1,599.00. The M3 Pro 512GB 14-inch MacBook Pro is on sale for $1,749.00, down from $1,999.00, which is a best-ever deal we haven't tracked since the holidays.

Moving to 16-inch models, Best Buy has the M3 Pro 512GB/18GB Memory 16-inch MacBook Pro for $2,249.00, down from $2,499.00. You can also get the M3 Pro 512GB/36GB Memory 16-inch MacBook Pro for $2,649.00, down from $2,899.00. Similar to the 14-inch notebooks, these are some of the best discounts we've ever tracked on the MacBook Pro.

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

While most reports so far have agreed that the next iPhone SE will have a similar design as the standard iPhone 14 model, which has a notch for Face ID, a sketchy rumor now says that the device will instead feature the Dynamic Island.

This latest claim comes from the leaker @MajinBuOfficial on X, formerly known as Twitter. In addition to the Dynamic Island, he said the next iPhone SE could have a vertical rear camera bump like the one rumored for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, but with one camera instead of two. Based on the information he shared, the rear microphone and LED flash would be positioned below the camera lens in a pill-shaped bump.

@MajinBuOfficial recently shared alleged iPhone 16 schematics that are believed to be accurate. However, he has a mixed track record with Apple rumors, and he cautioned that this iPhone SE information is still unconfirmed for now. In addition, Apple is likely prototyping multiple iPhone SE models, and it may not have finalized a design.

The next iPhone SE is expected to launch in 2025, around three years after the current model was released, but this timeframe could change.

Best Buy has every model of the 2022 10th generation iPad at $100 off in its latest sale. These lowest-ever prices are available to all shoppers and do not require a My Best Buy Plus or Total membership in order to see the deals.

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

Starting with the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad, you can get this tablet for $349.00, down from $449.00, while the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad is available for $499.00, down from $599.00. All four colors are available for each model, including Yellow, Silver, Pink, and Blue.

For cellular models, Best Buy has the 64GB cellular iPad for $499.00, down from $599.00, and the 256GB cellular iPad for $649.00, down from $749.00. Similar to the Wi-Fi tablets, these are both matches for the best prices we've ever tracked on the 10th generation iPad.

These iPads include the A14 Bionic processor, a 10.9-inch display, Touch ID, 12-megapixel camera, and an overall redesign compared to the 9th generation models.

If you want an even cheaper iPad, and are okay with a previous generation model, Best Buy also has a solid discount on the 9th generation iPad. You can get the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad for $249.99, down from $329.00.

Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.

Apple has seemingly restricted the functionality of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) in the latest beta of iOS 17.4, specifically targeting users within the European Union. The move appears to undermine the role of PWAs as viable alternatives to native apps in iOS.

As first flagged by security researcher Tommy Mysk and Open Web Advocacy, the second beta release of iOS 17.4 seems to introduce changes that put web apps at a significant disadvantage in Europe. The new beta version of iOS prevents these apps from launching in their own top-level window that takes up the entire screen, relegating them instead to open within Safari, a change that significantly impacts their user experience and functionality. The move effectively demotes PWAs to mere website shortcuts.

Now, when a user in Europe taps a web app icon, they will see a system message asking if they wish to open it in Safari or cancel. The message adds that the web app "will open in your default browser from now on." When opened in Safari, the web app opens like a bookmark, with no dedicated windowing, notifications, or long-term local storage. Users have seen issues with existing web apps such as data loss, since the Safari version can no longer access local data, as well as broken notifications.

Progressive Web Apps are designed to offer a user experience comparable to that of native apps using web technologies, with the potential for users to add them directly to their home screen with no need for an app store. The latest change is particularly controversial because historically Apple has suggested that developers who are unwilling to comply with its App Store guidelines could instead focus on web apps. Now, the company's recent adjustments appear to contradict this stance by limiting the capabilities of PWAs and their ability to compete with native applications in iOS, raising questions about its commitment to supporting web technologies as a viable alternative to the ‌App Store‌.

This development comes amid Apple's moves to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to promote competition and regulate the practices of digital "gatekeepers." Apple's decision to alter the functionality of PWAs specifically in the EU could be interpreted as an attempt to navigate the regulatory landscape imposed by the DMA, but it may simply want to prevent users in Europe from using web apps with alternative browser engines. The company has not yet commented on its motivations.

There are indications that iOS 17.4 is using SIM carrier information to geo-lock the changes to web app functionality singularly to users in the EU. Web apps in other regions around the world remain unaffected.

Apple this week rolled out its redesigned iCloud app for Windows, touting a range of new features and improvements to enhance the user experience (via TechCrunch).

The latest update to the iCloud for Windows app brings an all-new design, an easier-to-use onboarding and setup process, syncing status, support for physical security keys for Apple ID sign-in, photos syncing performance improvements, fewer sign-in prompts, and fixes for problems with contacts and calendar syncing with Outlook.

The ‌iCloud‌ for Windows app is available to download from the Microsoft app store for free on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Existing users simply need to update the app to obtain the new design and improvements.

Yesterday, Apple launched individual Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Devices apps for Windows machines. The new apps are intended to replace functionality previously only offered iTunes, but the original app is still required to access podcasts and audiobooks.

Apple and other top tech companies have joined a new U.S. consortium to support the safe and responsible development and deployment of generative AI, the Commerce Department announced on Thursday (via Bloomberg).

Apple, along with OpenAI, Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Amazon, will join more than 200 members of the AI Safety Institute Consortium (AISIC) under the department, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said.

"The U.S. government has a significant role to play in setting the standards and developing the tools we need to mitigate the risks and harness the immense potential of artificial intelligence," Raimondo said in a statement.

The group will work with the department's National Institute of Standards and Technology on priority actions outlined in President Biden's AI executive order, "including developing guidelines for red-teaming, capability evaluations, risk management, safety and security, and watermarking synthetic content."

Other technology companies, as well as civil society groups, academics, and state and local government officials, will also be involved to establish safety standards regarding AI regulation.

Generative AI has spurred excitement due to its potential to enhance creativity, improve efficiency, and advance technology. However, fears surrounding generative AI include ethical concerns like deepfakes, the potential impact on jobs, issues around information reliability, and challenges in ensuring privacy and effective regulation.

Apple is said to be spending millions of dollars a day on AI research as training large language models requires a lot of hardware. Apple is on track to spend more than $4 billion on AI servers in 2024, according to one report.

Apple is said to be developing its own generative AI model called "Ajax". Designed to rival the likes of OpenAI's GPT-3 and GPT-4, Ajax operates on 200 billion parameters, suggesting a high level of complexity and capability in language understanding and generation. Internally known as "Apple GPT," Ajax aims to unify machine learning development across Apple, suggesting a broader strategy to integrate AI more deeply into Apple's ecosystem.

Aspects of the model could be incorporated into iOS 18, such as an enhanced version of Siri with ChatGPT-like generative AI functionality. Both The Information and analyst Jeff Pu claim that Apple will have some kind of generative AI feature available on the ‌iPhone‌ and iPad later this year.

WaterField Designs has announced its own Vision Pro Shield Case, a more compact alternative to Apple's official $199 Travel Case for the company's new headset.

At half the size of Apple's case, WaterField says its Shield Case travels more easily, while still providing the necessary protection and capacity for organizing and carrying related accessories in transit. It achieves this by taking advantage of the Vision Pro's detachable parts.

WaterField leveraged the ease with which the Vision Pro head straps can be removed to significantly reduce the size of its Vision Pro Shield Case. The new Apple headset, with its front cover on, sits cradled on one side, and a padded accessory pouch — for the charger, cables, cleaning cloth, one or both head straps, and Zeiss lenses in Ultrasuede® pockets — rests perfectly inside the curve of the headset on the other. This design not only saves space but also keeps the headset firmly in place, and the pouch's padding adds yet another extra layer of protection.

A padded battery pocket under the flap is positioned to keep the battery's weight away from the headset (users can detach the battery from the cable using a SIM tray ejector tool), while an external zippered pocket can be used for additional accessories and includes a stealth AirTag pocket.

The 5-liter case is surrounded by impact-resistant closed-cell foam and lined with a padded fleece. A dual-sided waterproof YKK zipper surrounds the case on three sides and is backed by a fleece bumper, which shields the contents from the zipper. There's also a low-profile handle on the case, and D-rings for hooking an optional shoulder strap.

The WaterField Vision Pro Shield Case is available in several vegan ($159) and leather ($179) color options, and can be pre-ordered now from the WaterField website. Shipping for vegan and leather options begins February 15 and February 22, respectively.

Apple will not have to face an investor lawsuit accusing it of overpaying CEO Tim Cook and other top executives by tens of millions of dollars, after a federal judge on Wednesday dismissed the case (via Reuters).

The plaintiff, a pension fund affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, said Apple in 2021 and 2022 awarded a respective $92.7 million and $94 million to Cook and four other executives by improperly calculating the value of performance-based stock awards. The plaintiff argued its compensation committee intended to award just $77.5 million each year.

The alleged error was attributed by the pension fund's lawyers to the committee's improper calculation of the restricted stock unit's "fair values" at the time of the grants, and said it misled shareholders who would be casting advisory votes on executive compensation, known as "say-on-pay."

U.S. District Judge Jennifer Rochon disagreed, however, saying Apple described its pay methods in detailed compensation tables in its 2023 proxy statement "precisely," as securities laws and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules require.

The Manhattan judge also found no proof that Apple's board of directors acted improperly in awarding pay, and said the plaintiff did not give the board enough time to consider its objections before suing.

Apple proxy filings show Cook's compensation totaled about $99 million in both 2021 and 2022, including more than $82 million of stock awards each year. Cook's total pay declined to $63.2 million for 2023.

Apple Maps now offers cycling navigation in Switzerland and Sweden, allowing users across the country to receive turn-by-turn directions while riding a bike (via iGen.fr).

iPhone users in the Swiss Confederation and Sweden began receiving notifications about cycling directions overnight. ‌Apple Maps‌ provides cycling directions along bike lanes, bike paths, and bike-friendly roads wherever possible, including details like steep inclines, how busy a street is, and whether there are stairs or other obstacles along a route.

If you have an Apple Watch, voice guidance and haptic feedback also make it easier to stay focused on your direction of travel.

Cycling directions came to ‌Apple Maps‌ in iOS 14, and are also available across the United States, China, and Japan, as well as in select major cities around the world, such as London, Barcelona, and Toronto. Apple maintains a list of all of the areas where cycling directions are available on its website, but as of writing this, it has not yet been updated to include Switzerland and Sweden.

(Thanks MacRumors forum member Virtuality for Sweden!)