Apple has now launched Apple Books digital narration, offering a new way for publishers to automatically generate high-quality AI-narrated audio from written text.
The feature, first announced in December via the Apple Books for Authors webpage, allows publishers on the Apple Books platform to opt-in to have their written books converted into a narrated audio form using AI. Samples of the voices developed specifically for the feature are available on the same webpage.
More and more book lovers are listening to audiobooks, yet only a fraction of books are converted to audio — leaving millions of titles unheard. Many authors — especially independent authors and those associated with small publishers — aren't able to create audiobooks due to the cost and complexity of production. Apple Books digital narration makes the creation of audiobooks more accessible to all, helping you meet the growing demand by making more books available for listeners to enjoy.
Apple Books digital narration brings together advanced speech synthesis technology with important work by teams of linguists, quality control specialists, and audio engineers to produce high-quality audiobooks from an ebook file. Apple has long been on the forefront of innovative speech technology, and has now adapted it for long-form reading, working alongside publishers, authors, and narrators.
[...]
Digitally narrated titles are a valuable complement to professionally narrated audiobooks, and will help bring audio to as many books and as many people as possible. Apple Books remains committed to celebrating and showcasing the magic of human narration and will continue to grow the human-narrated audiobook catalog.
Apple is offering different AI voices for different genres and the feature is only available for some genres at this time, but more will be added in the future. Apple says that it can take up to one month for an AI-narrated audiobook to be created and approved, suggesting that there is an element of manual review in the process. Publishers are also free to offer a traditional, human-narrated audiobook alongside the AI-narrated version.
As highlighted by The Guardian, the first AI-narrated audiobooks are now available in Apple Books, highlighted by the tag "Narrated by Apple Books."
At CES this week, AMD announced a suite of new chips for notebooks and desktop computers, with one notable announcement being the company's new AMD Ryzen 7040 series of processors for ultrathin notebooks that will compete with Apple's M1 Pro and M2 chips.
The AMD Ryzen 7040 series of chips are "ultrathin" processors based on the 4nm process, and the highest-end chip part of the family is the Ryzen 9 7940HS. The Ryzen 9 7940HS has eight cores, 16 threads, and 5.2GHz boost speeds. Announcing the new chip, AMD CEO Lisa Su made bold claims about its performance, saying it's up to 30% faster than Apple's M1 Pro chip. In specific tasks, AMD claims the chip is 34% faster in multiprocessing workloads than the M1 Pro and 20% faster than the M2 in AI tasks.
One cornerstone of Apple silicon is energy efficiency, and in that area, AMD claims the new AMD Ryzen 7040 series will offer 30+ hours of video playback in ultrathin notebooks. Built directly into the series of chips is Ryzen AI, a dedicated AI engine embedded in the processor. AMD chips configured with Ryzen AI are 20% faster in AI tasks than Apple's M2 chip while being 50% more energy efficient, according to the company.
To showcase the new chip's performance, AMD compared the performance of a high-end Intel chip, the M1 Pro, and its new Ryzen 9 7940HS processor rendering an object in the popular application Blender. In the time-lapsed video shown on stage, the M1 Pro lags behind the Ryzen 9 7940HS in rendering the object. AMD says it made its performance claims against a MacBook Pro with M1 Pro, 32GB of unified memory, and 1TB of SSD storage running macOS Monterey. The M1 Pro is not Apple's highest-end and most powerful chip for laptops, which is the M1 Max, and AMD did not compare its chip to the M1 Max.
It's worth noting that the M1 Pro is over one year old, while AMD's Ryzen 7040 series will start becoming available in commercial laptops in March 2023. In the coming months, rumors suggest Apple will announce its next generation of high-end chips, the M2 Pro and M2 Max, which will build on the performance of the M1 Pro and M1 Max for updated 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
Smart home accessory maker Govee today announced the launch of a new two-meter LED Strip Light that is Matter-certified and able to work with Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and other smart home platforms that support Matter.
Govee is partnering with Google for the light strip, but because of the Matter support, it is compatible with HomeKit devices. Govee says that because Matter is a local connectivity protocol, connectivity will be more reliable with faster response times and improved data protection.
In the future, Govee plans to add more Matter-enabled lighting products including table lamps, floor lamps, and outdoor lights. More information is available on the Govee website.
Google is continuing on with its #GetTheMessage campaign attempting to convince Apple to adopt the RCS messaging protocol, this time taking out a large New Year's-themed ad at Harmon Corner in Las Vegas.
The digital billboard urges Apple not to "drop the ball" on fixing its "pixelated photos and videos."
Hey Apple, it's Android
the ball may have dropped on 2022, but you don't have to drop the ball on fixing your pixelated photos and videos. Here's some code to get the ball rolling...
After the short message, the billboard scrolls through RCS code, ending with a plea to customers to "Help Apple #GetTheMessage," the hashtag that Google has been using for the campaign.
Google launched the "Get the Message" push back in August with a full website highlighting the benefits of RCS, which include support for higher resolution photos and videos, audio messages, and bigger file sizes, along with improved encryption, cross-platform emoji reactions, and more reliable group chats across different devices.
Google has been pestering Apple to adopt RCS for well over a year through the website, pleas on Twitter, billboards, and more, but Apple has made no acknowledgement of Google's efforts. In fact, Apple CEO Tim Cook recently said that RCS is not a priority. "I don't hear our users asking that we put a lot of energy in on that at this point," said Cook.
All major mobile carriers and manufacturers have implemented RCS support, including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Motorola, Nokia, OnePlus, Samsung, Sony, and others, with Apple remaining the lone holdout.
Apple today updated its investor relations page to announce that earnings for the first fiscal quarter of 2023 (fourth calendar quarter) will be shared on Thursday, February 2.
The first quarter earnings call will provide some insight into holiday sales of the iPhone 14 models, the Apple Watch Series 8 and Ultra, new iPad models, and the AirPods Pro 2. iPhone sales were constrained during the quarter because of issues with supply. Apple in November sent out a press release warning about COVID-19 impacts on iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max shipments, letting customers know to expect longer than normal wait times.
Last week, Apple shares hit an 18-month low due to the ongoing iPhone shipment issues and a broader downturn in the stock market, and Apple's inability to meet demand during the holiday quarter will likely have a notable impact on sales.
Apple did not provide guidance on the first quarter of 2023, but in the first quarter of 2022, the company reported revenue of $123.9 billion and net quarterly profit of $34.6 billion.
The quarterly earnings statement will be released at 1:30 PM Pacific/4:30 PM Eastern, with a conference call to discuss the report taking place at 2:00 PM Pacific/5:00 PM Eastern. MacRumors will provide coverage of both the earnings release and conference call on February 2.
Philips Hue parent company Signify today announced that it is introducing a paid Philips Hue Sync TV app for Samsung TVs. The partnership will allow those with Samsung smart TVs to link their Hue bulbs and lighting products to their televisions, so the bulbs can change colors based on what's on the screen.
Syncing lights to media content typically requires the Hue Play HDMI Sync Box, priced at $250, along with a streaming device like the Apple TV that connects to the Sync Box. The Samsung TV integration will let Samsung TVs interact with Hue lights directly for a lower $130 price tag, and it will work with all image formats and TV content, including native apps like Netflix.
The Philips Hue line is also gaining new PAR38 floodlight bulbs in white and color ambiance in the United States, allowing for white and color light in backyards and walkways.
The Hue Tap dial switch is also available with a new round mini mount that is an alternative to the regular wall mount.
The Philips Hue Sync TV app is available on 2022 and newer Samsung QLED TVs in the Q60 and higher range, and it can be purchased from the Samsung TV app store for $130 starting on January 5. The Philips Hue PAR38 White and color ambiance bulbs will be available starting on March 14 for $80, and the Philips Hue Tap dial switch with mini mount will be available on March 14 for $50.
French regulators today fined Apple €8 million for breaching France's data protection rules with targeted App Store ads. France's National Commission for Informatics and Liberty (CNIL) says that Apple did not get the consent of French iPhone users before using identifiers to present targeted ads in the iOS 14.6 update.
Apple was collecting information and using that data for ads by default, and CNIL says that users had to undertake a "large number of actions" to turn advertising off in the Privacy section of the Settings app. As a result, CNIL ruled that Apple breached Article 82 of the Data Protection Act, leading to a sanction of 8 million euros.
The CNIL services have found that under the old version 14.6 of the iPhone operating system, when a user went to the App Store, identifiers for several purposes, including purposes of customizing advertising ads displayed on the App Store, were by default automatically read on the terminal without collecting consent.
In a statement to Fortune's Patrick McGee, Apple said that it is "disappointed" with the decision and plans to appeal, noting that it only uses its own data for personalized ads.
We are disappointed with this decision given the CNIL has previously recognized that how we serve search ads in the App Store prioritizes user privacy, and we will appeal.
Apple Search Ads goes further than any other digital advertising platform we are aware of by providing users with a clear choice as to whether or not they would like personalized ads. Additionally, Apple Search Ads never tracks users across 3rd party apps and websites, and only uses first-party data to personalize ads. We believe privacy is a fundamental human right and a user should always get to decide whether to share their data and with whom.
Today's fine dates back to a 2021 investigation that CNIL launched after a complaint from the France Digitale association. France Digitale, a lobbying group that represents startups and venture capital firms, said that the iOS 14 update did not comply with European protections for personal data. Apple has since changed how targeted advertising works, and the opt-in and opt-out procedures.
The 2023 Consumer Electronics Show is taking place this week, and MacRumors sent videographer Dan Barbera to capture the action and check out new products on the show floor. Our day 1 roundup features everything from connected toilet products to massive monitors to fun lighting products.
Hyper showed off a backpack with Find My and a 25,000 mAh battery, Nanoleaf introduced a 4D TV Smarter Kit for matching your smart lights to the content on your TV, and Nuwa demoed a pen that converts notes into digital text, with no limitations on the paper that you can use.
Withings had a sensor that goes in your toilet to monitor your urine, and Samsung had a 5K Viewfinity S9 display, its first 5K monitor to compete with the Apple Studio Display. Samsung also had a Bespoke fridge with a customizable front panel, and the company demoed the Philips Hue Sync integration coming to some TVs.
Make sure to watch Dan's video to see all of the products that he came across, and if you want to know more, we have a dedicated CES 2023 hub with all of our CES coverage.
Scosche today introduced a second-generation version of its BaseLynx Modular Charging System, which is able to charge multiple Apple devices at once. The updated BaseLynx 2.0 is more compact than its predecessor, and it uses magnetic connectors to snap together.
Available modules include a 2-in-1 Charging Stand with MagSafe for the iPhone and the AirPods, a Magnetic Charger for the Apple Watch, a Vertical Multi-Device Charging Station that can be used with smartphones or tablets, and a Powered End Cap that is equipped with a USB-C port and a 120V outlet.
Multiple modules can be connected together and powered with a single cord, so Apple users can build the setup that works best for them. Scosche plans to sell kits that combine multiple modules as well as individual modules, with prices ranging from $50 to $100 for each module.
Scosche also debuted a range of 7.5W magnetic chargers and mounts, the most interesting of which is the MagicMount MS Hydro, a 24-ounce water bottle that has a built-in MagSafe mount that can hold the iPhone 12 or later. The cap with mount is designed to fit popular water bottle brands and it includes a carrying handle.
Scosche's white BaseLynx 2.0 will be available from Apple starting in Spring 2023, with individual modules available for $50 to $70, and a Pro Kit priced at $250. The Pro Kit will feature the MagSafe 2-in-1 Charging Stand, Apple Watch Charger, Vertical Multi- Device Charger, Powered End Cap with 6 foot power cable, and three braided charging cables.
A black version of the BaseLynx will be available in Summer 2023 from Scosche's website. The MagicMount Hydro will be available in Spring 2023 and it will be priced at $40.
Today we're tracking the best New Year's deals on Apple's iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models from carriers including AT&T, Visible, and Verizon. This also covers a few side offers from these companies, like free AirPods Pro 2 at Visible when purchasing a brand new iPhone 14.
Visible
Starting with Verizon-owned Visible, you can save $15/month for your entire first year of service with the company thanks to their New Year's offer. You'll need to join Visible and bring your own smartphone (via eSIM or pSIM) with an existing number.
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.
When placing your order for the new Visible plan, you'll also need to enter the code 15OFF12 at the checkout screen. With this discount, you can get the Visible plan for $15/month (regular $30/month) or Visible+ for $30/month (regular $45/month).
This promotion will last for twelve months, after which your service will return to its regular price. You can find more information about the sale on Visible's website, including the type of plans and details of each.
There are a few other offers from Visible going on in the new year, including a gift card worth up to $200 plus free AirPods Pro 2 with select iPhone models. You'll need to join Visible and transfer your number from an eligible carrier to get this deal.
After three full months of service payments, you'll get an email with a code to redeem your free AirPods Pro 2 and virtual gift card. You can browse the list of compatible smartphones on Visible, including the iPhone 14 Pro, Pro Max, Plus, and more.
AT&T
Holiday deals have carried over into 2023 at other carriers as well, with AT&T still offering up to $1,000 off the iPhone 14 Pro with eligible trade-in on select installment plans. This also works for the iPhone 14 Pro Max; you can get the iPhone 14 at no cost or the iPhone 14 Plus for $5/month as well.
In terms of trade-ins, you can get up to $1,000 bill credits with smartphone trade-in value of $230 or higher, up to $800 bill credits with smartphone trade-in value of $130 to $229, and up to $350 bill credits with smartphone trade-in value of $34 to $129. These credits start within three bill cycles after trade-in is completed.
Verizon
Similarly, Verizon is still hosting its "Welcome Unlimited" holiday deal, where you can get $25/line per month for four lines when signing up for Verizon Unlimited, with this price guaranteed to be locked in for three years. You'll need to add four new smartphone lines and a $180 credit will be applied per smartphone over 36 months.
Otherwise, you'll find Verizon matching AT&T's iPhone 14 deals. You can save up to $1,000 when you trade in an older smartphone and purchase any iPhone 14 device on a Verizon Unlimited plan. If you're buying two, you can buy one iPhone and get another at up to $800 off as well.
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.
Plugable today unveiled a new Thunderbolt 4 dock that is ideal for use with the latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. The dock features 16 ports and will be available to purchase for $299 on Amazon starting January 17.
The dock is equipped with six USB-A ports (three 10 Gbps, two 5 Gbps, and one 480 Mbps), two USB-C ports (one 10 Gbps and one that provides up to 100W of charging to a MacBook Pro or other device connected), two HDMI ports, two DisplayPorts, an Ethernet port (2.5 Gbps), SD and microSD card readers (UHS-II), and an audio in/out jack. The dock has a separate power supply and connects to a MacBook Pro with a Thunderbolt 4 cable.
The dock can be used to connect up to two 4K displays at 60Hz to the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M1 Pro and M1 Max chips.
A variety of brands have released Thunderbolt 4 docks for the Mac over the past few years, including OWC, CalDigit, Belkin, Satechi, and others. The selection of ports and pricing varies for each dock, so it may be worth shopping around.
Plugable also introduced an 11-in-1 USB-C hub, available now for $79 on Amazon. The hub can be used with the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iPad Pro, iPad Air, and other Apple devices equipped with USB-C ports. Plugable will showcase both the Thunderbolt 4 dock and USB-C hub at the CES 2023 event Pepcom in Las Vegas later today.
Eve Systems today announced that Eve Door and Window, Eve Energy, and Eve Motion accessories with built-in Matter certification will be available for purchase in March 2023. The accessories will work with Matter out of the box, with no firmware updates required.
To be clear, Eve Systems has already rolled out Matter support for these devices, but if the accessories are purchased now, an update is required to add the Matter integration. Starting in March, Matter will be available out of the box.
Matter-compatible smart home products are able to work with HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings thanks to the unified Matter technology.
Eve today also announced that it is adding Eve MotionBlinds for Honeycomb and Venetian blinds from Coulisse, allowing for more HomeKit-enabled design options. Eve MotionBlinds are also set to get Matter integration later in the quarter.
The new Matter-certified Eve Door and Window, Eve Energy, and Eve Motion will be available from the Eve website and from Amazon on March 28.
Belkin, known for its accessories created for Apple devices, today announced plans to revamp its product lineup with more environmentally friendly materials. Several power banks, wireless chargers, and wall chargers will be updated with plastic-free packaging and will be constructed from 73 to 75 percent post-consumer recycled plastics (PCR).
The change will save approximately 7,000 metric tons of carbon emissions and will reduce CO2-eq emissions for included products by up to 67 percent. Belkin plans to update some of its most popular products first, including a selection of wall chargers.
BOOST↑CHARGE Magnetic Wireless Car Charger 10W
BOOST↑CHARGE USB-C PD 3.0 PPS Wall Charger 25W
BOOST↑CHARGE Dual USB-C PD Wall Charger 40W
BOOST↑CHARGE PRO 4-Port GaN Charger 108W
BOOST↑CHARGE PRO Dual USB-C(R) GaN Wall Charger with PPS 45W
BOOST↑CHARGE PRO Dual USB-C(R) GaN Wall Charger with PPS 65W
Belkin is making this change as it celebrates its 40th anniversary. The company is already set to become 100 percent carbon neutral in scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025, with today's update to PCR materials aimed at reducing scope 3 emissions.
The PCR that Belkin is using will remove plastic waste from landfills, and it will reduce Belkin's dependence on virgin plastics.
"When we think about the difference a company of our size and influence can make on the planet, moving away from using virgin plastics in our products is an obvious decision," said Steve Malony, CEO, Belkin. "I am proud to work alongside the teams that made this shared vision a reality. Their dedication to doing the right thing inspires me and together, we will continue to work towards a more sustainable future."
MacRumors was able to see Belkin's new PCR products and there is virtually no difference between the updated accessories and the existing accessories, so consumers will not be able to tell what's changed by looking at the products themselves. Belkin will denote new PCR products with callouts on the packaging and product pages online.
Belkin will ship the new accessories throughout 2023, and the company has plans to expand the PCR material to additional devices going forward.
Dell is looking to take head-on Apple's $4,999 Pro Display XDR with a new 32-inch 6K UltraSharp display that has a built-in 4K webcam, a variety of ports, and an included stand that rotates, swivels, tilts, and more.
The new "game changer" display was announced this week as part of CES and is the world's first 6K display with IPS Black panel technology, according to Dell. With the new IPS panel, the 32-inch 6K UltraSharp delivers "high contrast and deeper blacks." In actual specs, the display is 6,133 by 3,456 pixels with 223 PPI (pixels-per-inch), slightly higher than Apple's Pro Display XDR. The Pro Display XDR is 6,016 by 3,384 pixels with 218 PPI (pixels-per-inch).
On the back of Dell's 32-inch 6K UltraSharp display, there are a variety of ports, including Thunderbolt 4 with up to 140W of power delivery, USB-A, ethernet, HDMI, and DP 2.1. On the front of the display, there is also access to two USB-C and one USB-A port through a pop-out compartment, providing quicker access to connect accessories and peripherals.
Unlike the Pro Display XDR which does not come with a stand, Dell's display has a built-in stand that can swivel, tilt, rotate, and move the display higher or lower depending on user preference. The display also has a built-in 4K webcam that uses AI to improve image quality and keep users in the frame during video calls.
Dell says the display will be available later this year and has not provided any pricing details for the display. Apple's Pro Display XDR costs $4,999 for the standard texture version and $5,999 for the nano-texture version. The Pro Display XDR's stand must be purchased separately for $999.
Apple has placed orders with display supplier BOE for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus for the second half of 2023, with the supplier potentially overtaking Samsung as the iPhone's largest display provider by 2024.
Writing in his Medium blog, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says BOE has beaten Samsung for orders for the upcoming iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, and that by 2024, BOE will start mass shipments of high-end LTPO displays for the iPhone, making it the largest display supplier.
BOE has beaten Samsung and secured most 2H23 new iPhone 15 and 15 Plus display orders. If development and production proceed smoothly over the next few months, BOE will become the largest display supplier for the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, with a market share of around 70% (compared to Samsung's 30%).
BOE is expected to start mass shipments of LTPO displays for high-end iPhones in 2024, with Samsung and LG Display also being suppliers. If BOE can obtain orders for 20–30% of the 2H24 high-end iPhone LTPO displays and maintain a market share of around 70% for 2H24 low-end iPhone displays, then BOE will likely become the largest supplier of displays for the new iPhone in 2H24.
BOE has had unsuccessful attempts in the past to become a more prominent player in Apple's supply chain after reportedly failing product validation tests. Until now, Samsung has been Apple's largest display supplier, including for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, which required more advanced manufacturing thanks to the pill-shaped display cutout.
Throughout 2022, we heard a multitude of reports about an OLED iPad Pro and even an all-new 14.2-inch iPad – but rumors about all of the next-generation iPad models have otherwise been thin on the ground, so can we really expect any new iPad models to launch this year?
2023 appears to be shaping up to be a quiet year for iPad hardware refreshes, and while it is possible we could see some new models, the current picture suggests that new iPads this year are unlikely on the whole. 2024, on the other hand, is looking like it will be a much more significant year for the iPad lineup. Below, we have consolidated all of the latest rumors about each of Apple's upcoming iPad models to get a sense of what may or may not be in store for this year.
11th-Generation iPad: Unlikely
When Apple introduced the 10th-generation iPad last year, it added the device to the lineup above the ninth-generation model from 2021. As a result, Apple currently sells both the ninth- and 10th-generation iPad for $329 and $449, respectively. It appears to be able to do this more easily since the devices are well-differentiated, offering different designs, chips, display sizes, ports, keyboard accessories, and more.
The A15 Bionic chip is the most plausible upgrade for the 11th-generation iPad, since each new entry-level iPad since the eighth-generation model from 2020 has gained a chip that is one generation newer. The 10th-generation iPad features the A14 Bionic chip, so the A15 is the most likely upgrade for the next model – not least because this chip is now widely used across devices like the iPhone SE, iPad mini, and Apple TV.
The entry-level iPad could, perhaps, also benefit from second-generation Apple Pencil support and a newer chip, but it is not immediately clear what else could justify offering a new version of the device this year. Since an 11th-generation iPad would be unlikely to have much new to offer over the 10th-generation model at the current time, a new model anytime soon seems unlikely. There have also been no concrete rumors about the new entry-level iPad as yet.
This year, Apple may be more likely to eliminate the ninth-generation iPad from the lineup and bump the 10th-generation model down in price, rather than release an 11th-generation model.
Seventh-Generation iPad Mini: Possible
Apple launched the sixth-generation iPad mini in September 2021, bringing the first major redesign to the device in its entire history. Like the 11th-generation iPad, a chip upgrade is the most certain feature coming to the next iPad mini – an aspect supported by recent reports.
The iPad mini currently contains the A15 Bionic. While it is slightly downclocked, the A15 Bionic puts the iPad mini on a level footing with the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, third-generation iPhone SE, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and third-generation Apple TV 4K. These six devices with the A15 chip are expected to remain on sale throughout 2023, meaning that the chip is likely to remain quite prevalent in Apple's product lineups.
As a result, the current iPad mini will contain relatively modern chip hardware throughout the entirety of this year. With features like second-generation Apple Pencil support and Center Stage, there is no pressing need to update the device this year and it is not clear what a new model could offer.
While Apple updated the iPad mini annually from 2012 to 2016, updates thereafter became more infrequent, with just one minor refresh in March 2019 before 2021's redesign. As a device that now seems to stick around for longer in between updates, a hardware refresh in 2023 is not certain, but the seventh-generation iPad mini is the only iPad model actively rumored to potentially launch this year.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in December that the seventh-generation iPad will begin mass shipments towards the end of 2023 or in the first half of 2024. Most recently, Kuo said mass production is now likely to start in the first quarter of 2024, so while it could still be unveiled this year, 2024 seems most likely. There have been no other concrete rumors about the new iPad mini as yet, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently said that an update this year with a minor "spec bump" is not out of the question.
Sixth-Generation iPad Air: Unlikely
The iPad Air is another device with no solid rumors about its successor. The current model was introduced in March last year, adding the M1 chip, Center Stage on the front-facing camera, a faster USB-C port, and several new color options, but it was overall a minor upgrade over the previous model from September 2020.
As such, as of 2023, it has been some time since the iPad Air had a major hardware refresh. Yet due to its positioning between the entry-level iPad and the iPad Pro, it is not immediately clear what a new iPad Air model could gain without cannibalizing the iPad Pro.
A horizontally oriented front-facing camera, the M2 chip, and a Thunderbolt port are among the potential features for the sixth-generation iPad Air, but little is known about the device at this time. Similar to the iPad mini, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes that a minor update this year is possible. While a refresh to add the M2 chip is possible in 2023, it may be more likely that Apple again waits two years to update the device, and targets 2024 for a more worthwhile upgrade.
Seventh-Generation iPad Pro: Very Unlikely
The next-generation iPad Pro models are the most-rumored upcoming iPads. The current 11- and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models were released in October 2022, adding the M2 chip, Apple Pencil hover, Smart HDR 4, Wi‑Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 – another minor refresh like the fifth-generation iPad Air.
With the current- and previous-generation iPad Pro models featuring M-series chips, and the 2022 refresh making the leap to the M2 chip, the M3 chip is the most likely chip to be included in the next-generation iPad Pro. The M3 chip is expected to be manufactured using TSMC's 3nm process, bringing the biggest performance and efficiency boost to Apple's chips in several years. The first Apple devices with M3 chips are not likely to appear until the second half of 2023, which seemingly rules out a new iPad Pro anytime soon.
Moreover, the main feature rumored for the next-generation iPad Pro is OLED displays – an upgrade that has been rumored for over a year. Dozens of reports from multiple sources are consistent that iPad Pro models with OLED displays are scheduled to launch in 2024, rather than this year. The OLED displays Apple is planning to use will reportedly be more durable and enable thinner and more lightweight device designs, and they could have slimmer bezels with the display size options increasing from 11- to 11.1-inches and 12.9- to 13-inches.
The iPad Pro has had the same design for four successive generations since 2018, and it looks like the device could finally get a redesign in its next incarnation. It is not entirely clear what the new design could look like, but a thinner and lighter device with a glass back or larger glass Apple logo to enable wireless charging seems plausible based on current rumors. The device could also switch from a default portrait orientation to a landscape design – something seemingly supported by the relocation of the iPad mini's volume buttons and the latest entry-level iPad's landscape front-facing camera.
The iPhone 15 lineup is rumored to move to an iPhone 5C- or MacBook Pro-like design with a flat front and a rounded back, so a design like this for the iPad Pro is also not out of the question.
The one thing that is clear about the next major iPad Pro update according to rumors is that it will not launch in 2023, meaning that any new iPad Pro models this year seem very unlikely. Apple waited over 18 months between the 2021 and 2022 iPad Pros, and if a similar timeline was followed again, the next-generation iPad Pro would launch in May 2024.
14-Inch iPad: Cancelled
A 14.1-inch iPad was previously rumored to launch in in early 2023, but the latest reports suggest such a device is no longer in the works.
While it was initially said to feature a mini-LED display and ProMotion technology, it was later believed to feature an LCD display like the iPad Air. This suggests that it was not an iPad Pro model, but rather an all-new kind of iPad that focused on a large display without advanced features present on the high-end iPad models.
With the cancellation of the 14.1-inch iPad, which was ostensibly the most far developed larger iPad model on account of the corroborated rumors surrounding the device, as well as the only iPad rumored to launch in the first half of the year, it now seems to be the case that any larger iPad models are off the cards for 2023.
Apple could be one of the only major device makers in 2023 to adopt the newer and more advanced 3nm process technology, as Qualcomm and MediaTek are unclear on whether the newer process is worth it.
According to a report by DigiTimes, Qualcomm and MediaTek, two of the largest chip makers, remain unsure on whether they want to follow in Apple's footsteps and start producing 3nm chips in 2023. The chip makers are reportedly undecided given the "unclear sales prospects for Android handsets."
Qualcomm and MediaTek, however, have not yet made a clear decision on whether to join the 3nm camp this year, despite both hoping to keep up with Apple's process upgrade for their flagship mobile SoCs, the sources continued.
The sources stressed that uncertain market outlook for non-Apple handsets and 3nm manufacturing cost already exceeding US$20,000 per wafer are likely to deter both handset AP specialists from launching 3nm SoCs later in the year.
Both Qualcomm and MediaTek are "caught in a dilemma over whether to follow Apple's process upgrade in 2023," the report notes. Qualcomm provides chips for many high-end Android flagships, including Samsung phones. The report notes that Qualcomm may have no choice but to adopt 3nm process technology if Samsung wants to "meet competition from Apple in the flagship handset market."
Apple is widely expected to adopt TSMC's 3nm technology this year, including for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Ultra's A17 Bionic chip. TSMC's mass production of 3nm chips has already started ahead the launch of the first Apple devices that will use the technology later this year.
Withings today announced the U-Scan, a miniaturized health lab that attaches to a toilet bowl and collects urine for home urine screening. Withings says that urine screening can provide an immediate snapshot of the body's balance, and provide useful monitoring and detecting of a "large variety of health information."
Measuring in at 90mm in diameter, the pebble-shaped U-Scan is designed to collect urine through a collection inlet. When the presence of urine is detected through a thermal sensor, a pump is activated that sends the urine to a specific test pod where a chemical reaction is read by an optical module. The U-Scan can channel urine through multiple pods to take several readings at one time. When the measurement is complete, the urine is purged through a waste outlet and the U-Scan is cleaned when the toilet flushes.
The U-Scan is equipped with dozens of miniaturized test pods that can provide various health readings, with the information sent to the Withings app on the iPhone over WiFi. Each cartridge of test pods lasts for three months before it needs to be replaced, and the reader itself is rechargeable. The Withings app is able to provide results, actionable insights, and guidance based on the urine results.
Withings says that the U-Scan can be used by multiple people as it is able to distinguish between users through a Stream ID feature. Sensors in the reader measure multiple variables to identify an individual user's urine stream by determining the movement and distance of the stream.
U-Scan will launch first in Europe with Nutri Balance and Cycle Sync3 cartridges. The Cycle Sync shows menstrual cycle predictions and an ovulation window for women based on hormonal detection, specific gravity, and pH levels, plus it offers a water balance assessment and a protein-vegetable balance reading.
The Nutri Balance offers an analysis of specific gravity, pH, vitamin C, and ketone levels. It is also able to provide fluid and water balance for finding ideal hydration levels and protein-vegetable balance for optimizing nutritional intake.
Withings is launching the U-Scan in Europe in the second quarter of 2023, and it will be priced at 499.95 euros for the reader and one cartridge. U-Scan will be available in the United States following future FDA testing.
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