Apple today seeded the second beta of macOS Ventura 13.4 to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming two weeks after the launch of the first beta.
Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and after the appropriate profile is installed, with the betas available through the Software Update mechanism in System Settings.
There is no word yet on what's included in macOS Ventura 13.4, but we'll update this article if anything new is discovered.
Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming watchOS 9.5 update to developers for testing purposes, with the software update coming two weeks after the launch of the first watchOS 9.5 beta.
To install the watchOS 9.5 update, developers will need to download the configuration profile from the Apple Developer Center.
Once installed, watchOS 9.5 can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software update. To update to new software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life, it has to be placed on the charger, and it will need to be in range of the iPhone it is paired with.
We don't know what's included in the watchOS 9.5 update as of now, and no new features were found in the first developer beta.
Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming tvOS 16.5 update to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming two weeks after the launch of the first tvOS 16.5 beta.
Registered developers are able to download the tvOS 16.5 update by downloading a profile on the Apple TV using Xcode.
tvOS updates are usually minor, focusing on internal bug fixes and improvements rather than notable outward-facing changes. There is no word as of yet what's included in the tvOS 16.5 update, but we'll update this article if we find anything new.
Apple shares some information on tvOS releases in its tvOS support document, which is updated after each tvOS launch.
Though we don't often know what's new in tvOS during the beta testing process, we let MacRumors readers know when new updates are available so those who are developers can download it upon release.
Apple today announced that it is expanding its Restore Fund, which was first established in 2021. The Restore Fund is designed to pay for high-quality nature-based carbon removal projects to protect and restore "critical ecosystems." Apple also wants to help scale viable carbon removal solutions for businesses that are unable to avoid or reduce their carbon emissions through existing technology.
Apple is investing up to an additional $200 million in the Restore Fund, doubling its initial $200 million commitment. The fund will be managed by Climate Asset Management, a joint venture of HSBC Asset Management and Pollination.
With the new investment, Apple is aiming to remove one million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year while also generating a financial return for investors. Apple suppliers that become part of the fund will be able to take advantage of new high-impact carbon removal projects.
"The Restore Fund is an innovative investment approach that generates real, measurable benefits for the planet, while aiming to generate a financial return," said Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. "The path to a carbon neutral economy requires deep decarbonization paired with responsible carbon removal, and innovation like this can help accelerate the pace of progress."
Climate Asset Management and Apple want to focus on nature-forward agricultural projects that generate income from sustainably managed farming practices as well as projects that conserve and restore critical ecosystems that remove and store carbon from the atmosphere. Apple says that Restore Fund investments will be subject to "rigorous social and environmental standards."
Apple has achieved carbon neutrality for its corporate operations, and it has encouraged its suppliers to become carbon neutral by 2030. Apple ultimately wants all Apple-related operations to be carbon neutral by that date, and more than 250 of its manufacturing partners have committed to that goal.
Apple's earlier investments in the Restore Fund were done in partnership with Conservation International and Goldman Sachs. With that contribution, Apple is working to restore 150,000 acres of sustainably certified working forests and protect another 100,000 acres of native forests, grasslands, and wetlands. These projects are forecast to remove one million metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere per year by 2025.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
The Steve Jobs Archive today released a free e-book containing a curated selection of the former Apple CEO's quotes, emails, transcripts, interviews, and more.
The book, titled Make Something Wonderful, chronicles Steve Jobs' life in his own words. It is structured as a timeline of significant moments in the former Apple CEO's life, including a range of materials that have never previously been available to the public. Of particular note are the transcripts of internal Apple meetings and various emails that he sent to himself.
A curated collection of Steve's speeches, interviews and correspondence, Make Something Wonderful offers an unparalleled window into how one of the world's most creative entrepreneurs approached his life and work. In these pages, Steve shares his perspective on his childhood, on launching and being pushed out of Apple, on his time with Pixar and NeXT, and on his ultimate return to the company that started it all.
Featuring an introduction by Laurene Powell Jobs and edited by Leslie Berlin, this beautiful handbook is designed to inspire readers to make their own "wonderful somethings" that move the world forward.
The book is available to read online on the Steve Jobs Archive's website, where it can also be downloaded as an ePub. In addition, it is available on Apple Books and participating libraries via the Libby app.
Apple's M2 MacBook Air is on sale in nearly every configuration across Amazon and B&H Photo today, with $150 off these notebooks. The M2 MacBook Air debuted in June 2022 with a complete redesign compared to the previous generation.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Starting with the 256GB M2 MacBook Air, this model has hit $1,049.00, down from the original price of $1,199.00 [Amazon / B&H Photo]. You'll find all four colors available at this price on both Amazon and B&H Photo, and both retailers provide an estimated delivery date around April 19-20 for most colors.
You can also get the 512GB M2 MacBook Air on sale this week, priced at $1,349.00, down from $1,499.00 [Amazon / B&H Photo]. Amazon has all four colors on sale, while B&H Photo has three at this price. You'll again find an estimated delivery date around April 17 - 20 for these computers.
Compared to past sales, today's deals are second-best prices on these MacBook Air models. We haven't tracked record low prices on the M2 MacBook Air since February, and those sales have been some of the only times we've seen all-time lows on these notebooks in 2023. If you're shopping for a MacBook Air this week, Amazon and B&H Photo's markdowns are definitely solid options.
You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook.
Apple today announced that its first two retail stores in India will be opening next week. To celebrate the occasion, Apple has made special wallpapers for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac available to download on its website, with direct links provided below.
Apple BKC will open in Mumbai on April 18 at 11 a.m. local time, followed by Apple Saket in Delhi on April 20 at 10 a.m. local time. In addition to sales, the stores will provide customers with access to various services, including Genius Bar appointments for tech support, Today at Apple creativity sessions, device trade-ins, and more.
Click or tap on the links below to download the wallpapers:
Apple's online store launched in India in September 2020, but the company lacked a physical retail presence in the country until now. Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly plans to attend the store openings and meet with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Pegatron, which was believed to be the exclusive partner for assembly of Apple's mixed-reality headset, has been removed from the device's supply chain, DigiTimes reports.
The paywalled report explains that Apple requested Pegatron to hand over manufacturing and final assembly operations to Chinese supplier Luxshare. This process apparently finished in March. DigiTimes suggests that the change may be related to Pegatron moving some of its production capacity from China to other regions, which includes selling its factory in Shanghai to Luxshare.
Pegatron designed the production process for the headset that has now been handed-off to Luxshare, but the company may not see the loss negatively since manufacturing for Apple requires large volume to maintain profit margins. Since Apple's headset is expected to be manufactured in low volume as both the software and hardware have yet to mature and it is an unproven market, it may be initially unprofitable for suppliers, who have pinned their hopes on the long-term potential of headset devices.
Luxshare's takeover marks the first time a Chinese company will be solely responsible for the manufacture and assembly of a new Apple product at launch. To date, Apple device manufacturing has first been developed and undertaken by companies in Taiwan before gradually handing off to Chinese firms.
Apple's rumored mini-LED 27-inch external display is still in the works and will reach mass production in 2024 or early 2025, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
On Twitter, Kuo today said that the device will boast "all the features one would expect from a high-end monitor." The external display has previously been rumored to offer ProMotion for refresh rates up to 120Hz and an Apple silicon chip.
Unlike Apple's existing mini-LED display technology in the iPad Pro, which has a PCB backplane, the 27-inch monitor will have a glass backplane, Kuo explained. This will enable a thinner panel, narrower bezels, and longer product lifespan.
The claim seemingly comes in contrast to a report from display analyst Ross Young, who yesterday said that Apple had "killed off" the display "for now," despite shipping some display panels designed for the monitor last year. Young initially expected the monitor to launch in 2022, before shifting to the first quarter of 2023.
Apple Music, iTunes Match, and Apple Music radio appear to be experiencing issues at this time, according to Apple's System Status page.
Apple's developer site, the App Store, TestFlight, and Apple Support services were also previously down, but services have since been restored. Apple's developer site and System Status page for developer tools were unavailable for a short period of time around 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
We'll update this article when Apple Music comes back up or when the System Status page changes.
Update 9:41 p.m. Eastern: Updated article to reflect resolution of App Store and Developer site issues.
The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) last week warned users to stay away from public USB ports due to malware risks. On Twitter, the Denver FBI office (via CNBC) said that public charging stations in hotels, airports, and shopping centers can be a malware attack vector.
Bad actors have learned to use public USB ports to "introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices," the FBI said. When out in public, users should bring their own charger and USB cord, using an electrical outlet for charging purposes instead of a public USB port.
Apple's iPhones and Macs have a USB security feature that prevents the Lightning port from being used for data transfer purposes when it has been more than an hour since the device was unlocked, but this does not prevent malware installation if you are actively using your device and connect to a public port.
Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centers. Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices. Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead. pic.twitter.com/9T62SYen9T
— FBI Denver (@FBIDenver) April 6, 2023
If a public USB port is used to transfer malware to a computer, tablet, or smartphone, hackers can gain access to sensitive data on the device, siphoning usernames and passwords, hijacking email, stealing money from online accounts, and more.
The only way to stay safe is to use your own USB cable to charge in public spaces, which effectively prevents this potential method of attack.
The FBI has a similar warning on its website, noting that people should not use free charging stations. The FBI also warns against using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions, opening suspicious documents, using the same password for all accounts, and clicking unsolicited links in text messages and emails.
Panel production on the larger-screened 15-inch MacBook Air started in February and increased in March, with another ramp up planned for April, respected display analyst Ross Young said today in a tweet shared with subscribers. With production underway, Young said that he doesn't know the "precise launch timing" but assumes that it could happen in "late April/early May."
Young previously suggested that the 15-inch MacBook Air could launch in April, but his estimated launch timeline may be a little too early. At this point, it looks like a spring Apple event is not going to happen, and it seems unlikely that Apple would introduce a new iteration of the MacBook Air via press release.
With WWDC coming in less than two months, it perhaps makes the most sense for Apple to introduce the 15-inch MacBook Air at the Worldwide Developers Keynote on June 5, with a launch following shortly thereafter in June.
Either way, it sounds like a larger MacBook Air is coming in the first half of the year, with the machine set to join the 13.6-inch version. Rumors suggest that the MacBook Air could feature a 15.5-inch display, which would make it around the size of the now-discontinued 15.4-inch MacBook Pro. It would be sized between the 13.6-inch MacBook Air and the 16-inch MacBook Pro, giving those who want a slimmer, lighter, and more affordable machine with a larger display size an option that is not a "Pro" notebook.
Design wise, the 15-inch MacBook Air is expected to feature the same design as the current M2 model, which could also see a refresh alongside the new 15-inch version. Exactly which chip the MacBook Air will use remains to be seen, but it could include the current-generation M2 and M2 Pro chips, or the M3 chip series, if it is ready for launch by WWDC.
Amazon today has a new Gold Box for Anker charging accessories, offering up to 44 percent off USB-C chargers, portable batteries, wireless chargers, and more. These deals are only available on Amazon and will only last for the rest of the day.
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.
One of the highlights of the new sale is Anker's 555 Portable Power Station, which includes 6 AC outlets, 3 USB-C power delivery ports, 2 USB-A ports, and a car outlet. You can get this accessory for $699.99, which is $300 off the original price. For all the other devices on sale, check the lists below.
Apple today seeded new iOS 15.7.5, macOS Big Sur 11.7.6, and macOS Monterey 12.6.5 updates, with the new software introducing security improvements for those who are running older Macs, iPads, and iPhones that can't be updated to iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura.
iOS 15.7.5 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
The macOS Big Sur and macOS Monterey updates can be downloaded on the Mac by going to System Preferences > General > Software Update.
Apple last Friday released new versions of iOS 16.4.1 and macOS Ventura 13.3.1 with fixes for actively exploited vulnerabilities, and today's software updates address the same issues on older devices. There are two separate vulnerabilities, both of which were known by Apple to have been used in the wild.
The IOSurfaceAccelerator vulnerability could allow an app to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple addressed the out-of-bounds write issue with improved input validation. The WebKit vulnerability could allow maliciously crafted web content to execute code. Apple fixed this issue with improved memory management.
Google's Threat Analysis Group and Amnesty International's Security Lab are credited with finding and reporting both issues to Apple.
A dummy iPhone 15 Pro has surfaced in a video shared on the Chinese version of TikTok today, providing a closer look at the device's rumored design. Key hardware features expected include solid-state buttons, a USB-C port, and a titanium frame.
The video doesn't reveal anything new beyond existing rumors, but it does provide a 3D view of what the iPhone 15 Pro could look like. Overall, the device looks similar to the iPhone 14 Pro, with the most notable differences being an elongated volume button and what will supposedly be an Action button replacing the Ring/Silent switch.
The dummy model is likely based on leaked CADs from iPhone case makers. It's unclear if the rear camera bump or other aspects of the dummy iPhone are perfectly to scale, or if a physical SIM card slot will remain in some countries as shown, after being removed from all iPhone 14 models in the U.S. last year. It's also possible the final design of the buttons and other parts could have more detail than revealed by this basic mold.
All four iPhone 15 models are expected to adopt USB-C, but Pro models could support USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3 for faster data transfer speeds than the standard iPhone 15 models, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. All four models are also expected to feature the Dynamic Island, which is currently limited to iPhone 14 Pro models.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 15 lineup at a September event as usual. Other rumored features for the Pro models only include the A17 Bionic chip, thinner bezels around the display, faster Wi-Fi 6E, increased RAM, and more.
Apple has abandoned its plans to release a 27-inch external monitor with mini-LED backlighting, according to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants. Young initially expected the monitor to launch in 2022, but a release has yet to materialize.
In a tweet shared with paying subscribers today, Young said that Apple has "killed off" the display "for now" for reasons unclear, despite shipping some display panels for the monitor last year. He did not provide a reason for Apple's decision, and it's unclear if the company will ever release the monitor in the future or if it will remain cancelled.
Young previously said the display would support ProMotion, allowing for up to a 120Hz refresh rate. Given the 27-inch size that was rumored, it is possible the display could have been a next-generation version of the Studio Display, but it also could have been a new model positioned between the Studio Display and the higher-end Pro Display XDR. The current Studio Display starts at $1,599 with a 5K resolution and no ProMotion.
Apple released the Studio Display in March 2022 alongside the Mac Studio. The monitor has not received any hardware updates since launching.
Young has a good track record with display-related information about future Apple products. In the past, he accurately revealed that ProMotion was coming to the iPhone 13 Pro and the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, that the sixth-generation iPad mini would be equipped with a larger 8.3-inch display, and many other details.
Update — April 11: Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the display will enter mass production in 2024 or early 2025.
YouTube Premium subscribers will soon have access to SharePlay and an enhanced 1080p video quality option with a higher bitrate on the iPhone. In a blog post today, YouTube said both features will be available in its iOS app "in the coming weeks."
SharePlay will let you watch YouTube videos with friends and family while on a FaceTime call together, while the enhanced 1080p option will make videos look "extra crisp and clear," especially when there is a lot of detail and motion, according to YouTube. The standard 1080p video quality option will remain available to all YouTube users.
Other perks available to YouTube Premium subscribers starting today include an option to queue videos in the iOS and Android app, the ability to continue watching a video where you left off when switching devices, and an option to have recommended videos automatically downloaded while on Wi-Fi for offline viewing at a later time.
YouTube Premium costs $11.99 per month in the U.S. and provides ad-free video playback, the ability to play videos while using other apps or while a device's screen is locked, an option to download videos for offline playback, and more.
Amazon is kicking off the week with a fresh discount on Apple's 14-inch MacBook Pro (10-Core M2 Pro, 512GB), on sale for $1,849.99, down from $1,999.00. You can get this notebook in both Space Gray and Silver on Amazon, with delivery dates estimated around April 18 - 21.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
This is a solid second-best price on the 2023 14-inch MacBook Pro, which hasn't seen a record low discount since February. Given that this computer is now just about three months old, Amazon's $149 markdown is a great option for anyone wanting to buy a MacBook Pro this week.
There are also a few sales on the 2023 16-inch MacBook Pro on Amazon, starting with the 12-Core M2 Pro, 512GB model for $2,349.99, down from $2,499.00. For more storage, you can get the 12-Core M2 Pro, 1TB model for $2,549.99, down from $2,699.00. Last is the 12-Core M2 Max, 1TB notebook for $3,199.00, down from $3,499.00.
You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Apple headset concept render by 
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.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
