Apple today seeded the second beta of iOS 16.1 to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming one week after the release of the first iOS 16.1 beta. The iOS 16.1 beta is also joined by the third beta of iPadOS 16.1, which is on a slightly different schedule as Apple started testing it prior to the launch of iOS 16.
Registered developers can download the iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 profiles from the Apple Developer Center, and once installed, the betas will be available over the air.
Live Activities cannot be used at the current time as developers still need to update their apps to add support, but it will be available when iOS 16.1 launches. Developers have access to an ActivityKit API to begin getting their apps ready.
The update also introduces a new Clean Energy Charging feature in the United States that is designed to selectively charge when lower carbon emission electricity is available, plus it lays the groundwork for Matter, a new smart home standard that Apple plans to begin supporting this fall.
Matter will allow for interoperability between smart devices from different companies, and Apple, Google, Samsung, Amazon, and others are working on support.
Other new features include a deletable Wallet app, changes to the Lock Screen customizing interface, and more, with details available in our iOS 16.1 feature guide.
Apple today seeded the eighth beta of macOS 13 Ventura, the next-generation version of the Mac operating system that's set to launch this fall. The eighth beta comes two weeks after Apple provided the seventh beta to developers.
Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and once the appropriate profile is installed, betas will be available through the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences.
macOS Ventura introduces Stage Manager, a new feature that lets Mac users focus on a task while keeping other apps at the ready for easy swapping between tasks. The update adds Continuity Camera, which is designed to let you use the iPhone as a webcam for your Mac. It supports Center Stage, Desk View (for showing off your desk), and Studio Light.
Handoff is now available for FaceTime so you can transfer calls between iPhone, iPad, and Mac at will, and Messages supports features for marking an iMessage as unread, unsending an iMessage, and marking as unread. SharePlay also now works in the Messages app.
The Mail app supports scheduling and undoing emails for up to 10 seconds after they're sent, and there are now Weather and Clock apps that are available on the Mac. System Preferences has been renamed System Settings, and it features an iOS-like design.
Safari supports Shared Tab Groups and Apple is working on Passkeys, a next-generation credential that replaces the password. There are updates to Spotlight, Photo Library has new features, and Metal 3 is included in macOS Ventura for better graphics in games.
For everything new in macOS Ventura, we have a dedicated roundup that goes through all of the features. macOS Ventura is set to see a public release this fall.
Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming watchOS 9.1 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new beta coming one week after Apple released the first watchOS 9.1 beta.
To install watchOS 9.1, developers will need to download the configuration profile from the Apple Developer Center. Once installed, watchOS 9.1 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 must be placed on the charger, and it needs to be in range of the iPhone.
We don't yet know what's included in the watchOS 9.1 update as no new features were found in the first beta, but watchOS 9 brought a number of changes including a redesigned Compass app, a new medication tracking feature, updated watch faces, improvements to Workouts, new features for the ECG app, and more.
Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming tvOS 16.1 update to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming one week after the launch of the first beta.
tvOS updates are typically minor, focusing on under-the-hood bug fixes and improvements rather than outward-facing changes. No new features were found in the first beta of tvOS 16.1.
Apple shares some information on tvOS releases in its tvOS support document, which is updated after each tvOS launch. tvOS 16 brought enhanced multiuser support, Personalized Spatial Audio when using AirPods, and Accessibility improvements.
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.
iOS 16 introduced a new haptic feedback option for the default keyboard. When enabled, the iPhone makes a slight vibration after each key tapped while typing, providing physical confirmation that the key was pressed. The feature is a useful addition to the iPhone, but keep in mind that Apple says it can potentially impact battery life.
"Turning on keyboard haptics might affect the battery life of your iPhone," says Apple, in a support document published last week. Apple does not provide any additional details, so it's not clear exactly how much battery life the feature uses. Note that Low Power Mode does not disable haptic feedback, so the only option for users who are concerned about potential battery life impact is to keep the feature turned off.
Any software feature on an iPhone obviously consumes battery life, but that Apple felt it was worth explicitly mentioning for haptic feedback is notable.
To enable haptic feedback for the keyboard, open the Settings app, tap Sounds & Haptics → Keyboard Feedback, and turn on Haptic. The same toggle switch can be used to turn off the feature at any point. The feature is available on the iPhone 8 and newer running iOS 16 or later and utilizes the Taptic Engine inside iPhones.
Astropad, known for Astropad Studio software and the Luna Display dongle, today announced the launch of its latest project, called Darkboard. The Darkboard is a lightweight drawing surface designed to be used with the iPad, providing a more ergonomic way to sketch and draw wherever you are.
Weighing in at 1.4 pounds, the Darkboard is made from a rigid foam material that cushions the arm and wrist while still providing comfort and support. Astropad says that the Darkboard is ideal for using on the couch, in bed, and in other situations where you don't have the best ergonomic setup.
There is a polycarbonate frame to hold the iPad in place at any angle, so it can be propped up in a way that's most comfortable to each user. Astropad also added 1mm of space between the iPad's screen and the edge of the foam body to ensure the iPad stays safe should the Darkboard be dropped.
There's a cutout for the camera, charging port access, and a pocket for the Apple Pencil. The Darkboard measures in at 18 inches long, 14 inches wide, and an inch thick, and it is designed to have a textured surface that improves grip, plus there are grooved handles.
Darkboard comes in two sizes, one that fits the third-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro or newer and one that fits the 11-inch iPad Pro and iPad Air models. It will also support future iPads released between now and when it ships out.
Astropad is launching Darkboard on Kickstarter, and early bird backers can pick it up for $79, which is 20 percent off of the retail price. Orders will be delivered in March 2023.
Drop tests and durability tests are standard after any new iPhone release, and the iPhone 14 Pro is no exception, with YouTubers subjecting the device to all manner of tests to see how it fares against competing smartphones and past iPhones.
PhoneBuff this morning shared a drop test video that pits the iPhone 14 Pro Max against Samsung's Galaxy S22 Ultra to see which one is more durable. Both smartphones feature front and glass backs, with Samsung using Gorilla Glass Victus+ and Apple using its Ceramic Shield technology for the front and an unspecified Gorilla Glass on the back that Apple has in the past said uses a dual-ion process.
There are some other design differences, including a stainless steel frame and a flat edge for the iPhone 14 Pro Max and aluminum and a curved glass design for the Galaxy S22 Ultra, but glass is glass, and both smartphones saw damage in every drop test.
In the back down drop test, the iPhone 14 Pro Max saw more shattering than the S22 Ultra, with a greater number of cracks and camera lens damage, but both devices remained functional, and the displays were not damaged. In a corner drop test, both frames were scuffed, with more apparent gouging on the S22.
In the front display drop test, both screens shattered, but the iPhone 14 Pro Max had cracking limited to one corner, while the S22 Ultra saw cracks across the entire display. Technically the iPhone 14 Pro Max "won" in this test, but it would still need a display repair given the damage. If there's anything to be learned from these tests, it's that glass is going to break, and no smartphone manufacturer has managed to develop unbreakable glass technology.
There's another iPhone 14 Pro drop test from YouTuber GizmoSlip, but unsurprisingly, the glass breaks. What might be notable in both drop tests is that there appeared to be immediate damage to the camera lenses with back down drops, which could be because the iPhone 14 Pro models have cameras that protrude further.
Drop tests demonstrate why it's a good idea to have AppleCare+ for the iPhone 14 models, along with a case, but it is worth noting that this year, Apple has improved repairability for the standard iPhone 14 models. There is now an option to open the iPhone 14 from the back side, plus the display has fewer connectors, making both the front and back glass easier and cheaper to replace. Unfortunately, the improvements do not apply to the iPhone 14 Pro models and they remain more difficult to repair.
Repair website iFixit today shared an in-depth teardown of the iPhone 14 Pro Max, providing a closer look at the device's internals. Notably, the teardown includes a photo of the plastic spacer that replaced the SIM card tray on the U.S. model.
All four iPhone 14 models sold in the U.S. no longer have a physical SIM card tray and rely entirely on digital eSIMs. The teardown confirms that Apple is not using the internal space freed up by the tray's removal for any other component or added functionality, and instead filled in the gap with a square piece of plastic. Outside of the U.S., all iPhone 14 models are still equipped with a SIM card tray in this space.
As seen in previous teardowns, iFixit provided close-up images of the iPhone 14 Pro Max's logic board, which is equipped with a faster A16 Bionic chip and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X65 modem that provides both 5G and satellite connectivity.
While the standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus can be opened from the back side, and feature a more repairable design with an easily removable display and back glass panel, these design changes do not extend to the Pro models. The teardown shows that the iPhone 14 Pro Max continues to open from the front and does not have removable back glass. The internal design of the device is largely unchanged from the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
The lack of removable back glass on iPhone 14 Pro models makes repairs more expensive. Without AppleCare+, Apple Stores charge $499 to $549 to fix cracked rear glass on iPhone 14 Pro models, compared to $169 to $199 for standard iPhone 14 models.
Chinese smartphone maker realme is asking its "loyal fans" for ideas on how to copy Apple's Dynamic Island from the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
In a challenge, realme says, "the UI around the camera hole could morph into different shapes and sizes to display incoming phone calls, alerts, notifications, and more," precisely like Apple's Dynamic Island. The company finds this idea "quite appealing" and has decided to turn to its "loyal fans for ideas and suggestions on how such a software feature could be implemented on realme devices." Fans are asked to submit images, videos, and illustrations of how realme could implement a copycat version of Dynamic Island onto its devices.
Post a comment in the form of a drawing, GIF, or simply text, and explain how a potential realme Island would work, what it would look like, and how it would be beneficial - feel free to be detailed as our realme UI devs will be looking at all proposals and they know their stuff.
In an image attached to the challenge, realme showcases a hole-punch cutout with a yellow glow captioned "What's your dream island like?" realme says its UI developers will use the winner's idea and "consider it for a possible implementation in the future."
Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro
Since its announcement earlier this month, the iPhone 14 Pro's Dynamic Island has received positive reviews from users and customers online, with some calling it "one of Apple's best design in years." Dynamic Island utilizes the pill-shaped area at the top of the display to showcase relevant and contextual information to users, such as background activities, Now Playing, and more. Within days of Apple's iPhone 14 event, Android developers already began their attempts to recreate Dynamic Island on Android devices.
YouTuber and content creator Sara Dietschy joins us this week on The MacRumors Show podcast to talk through our experiences of all of the iPhone 14 lineup's new features.
Now that we've had some time to try the devices, we take a deep dive into all of the iPhone 14 lineup's improvements, including Emergency SOS via Satellite, Crash Detection, Dynamic Island, the always-on display, an enhanced front-facing camera, 48-megapixel Main camera, and new color options. We also take a look at battery life, experiences setting up eSIM, and some initial bugs, and weigh up who should buy each of the new devices.
If you haven't already listened to the last episode of The MacRumors Show, be sure to catch up for immediate reactions to Apple's "Far out" event with Luke Miani.
Amazon today has the brand new Apple Watch SE for $9 off in select configurations, starting at $269.98 for the 44mm GPS model, down from $279.00. This sale is available in three color options of the aluminum Apple Watch SE.
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.
Although the sale itself isn't particularly steep, this is one of the first deals we have tracked on the second-generation Apple Watch SE, allowing new adopters to save a little bit of money early on in the product's lifespan.
The only other model on sale is the 44mm Cellular Apple Watch SE for $319.98, down from $329.00. Both devices are in stock and sold directly by Amazon, with delivery estimated between September 22 and 25 for most residences in the United States.
Later this week, Apple will launch the Apple Watch Ultra, a more rugged, capable smartwatch aimed at explorers, adventurers, and athletes. One of the many unique features of the $799 watch is the addition of a third button called the Action button. This article previews what you'll be able to do with it.
Location of the Action Button
Colored in "International Orange," the indented, pill-shaped Action button is located beside the display on the left side of the Apple Watch Ultra's titanium case, in between the dual speakers and the siren.
Activating the Siren
Pressing and holding the Action button will activate the built-in 86-decibel siren, which can be heard from up to 600 feet (180 meters) away, and is meant to be used to attract help during an emergency.
Custom Actions
The Action button is also customizable, meaning it can perform whatever function the user configures for it. Apple Watch Ultra users are able to choose an initial function for the Action button when they set up their device. Later, they can adjust this choice in Settings, where a new section lists apps that support the button.
Apple's examples of what the button can be configured to do include starting Backtrack (which uses GPS data to create a path of where you've been so you can retrace your steps), starting a workout, and beginning a dive.
The Action button can also be assigned to system-level functions, like turning the Flashlight on and off, marking a Compass Waypoint, or starting the Stopwatch. In addition, Apple Watch Ultra users can pause the current function by pressing the Action and Side buttons together.
Assigning Shortcuts
Because the Action button is powered by the new App Intents APIs that Apple released at WWDC in June, Apple Watch Ultra users will be also able to assign Shortcuts to it, bringing huge potential for customization, like the ability to control smart home accessories.
The Apple Watch Ultra’s Action Button is powered by some awesome new App Intents APIs. You will be able to build your own apps to integrate with it, like a hockey app that uses the button to record goals! And for users, the button can kick off any Shortcut you want!
— Michael Gorbach (@mgorbach) September 7, 2022
Assigning a dedicated Shortcut to the Action button could also pave the way for additional, adaptive functionality. For instance, Shortcuts with location- or time-based actions could allow the Action button to perform different functions throughout the day.
Multifunction Use With Subsequent Presses
Depending on what app the Action button is being used to control, Apple Watch Ultra users will in some cases be able to choose additional actions for subsequent presses.
Apple envisions people using the Action button without looking at the screen, so a subsequent button press should flow logically from the first press, while also making sense in the current context.
For example, a workout app might let the user start a triathlon with the first button press and switch to another segment with a subsequent press.
It's worth noting however that apps won't be able to assign functions to a long press of the Action button, since watchOS 9 reserves this interaction for the emergency SOS feature.
Final Thoughts
Apple's decision to add a third physical control to the Apple Watch Ultra in the form of the Action button doesn't just allow quick access to a range of system-provided functions. It also hands a new tool to third-party developers that will enable them to bring key app features to users at the press of a button.
Whether Apple intends to bring the Action button to its more affordable Apple Watch Series models in the future is an intriguing question, the answer to which may depend on just how versatile and indispensable it proves to be in the hands of Ultra users.
Priced at $799, the Apple Watch Ultra is available in a single 49mm size, with Trail, Ocean, and Alpine band options available. The new smartwatch can be pre-ordered now and launches alongside the second-generation AirPods Pro this coming Friday, September 23. For more on the Apple Watch Ultra's design and features, be sure to check out our dedicated roundup.
The iPhone 14 Pro features faster 5G speeds on the T-Mobile and Verizon networks in the United States compared to the iPhone 13 Pro, largely thanks to a new 5G modem in the latest iPhones.
The test by SpeedSmart shows that the iPhone 14 Pro reached average 5G speeds of 255.91 Mbps for downloads on T-Mobile compared to 173.81 Mbps on the iPhone 13 Pro. On Verizon, the iPhone 14 Pro reached average 5G download speeds of 175.56 Mbps versus 126.33 Mbps for last year's iPhone.
The improvements in average 5G speeds on iPhone 14 Pro models are thanks to Qualcomm's Snapdragon X65 modem, offering faster speeds, improved latency, and lower energy consumption.
Apple today announced that, as early as October 5, prices of App Store apps and in-app purchases will increase in all countries and territories that use the euro. The increases are the result of the euro's weakness against the U.S. dollar currently.
Prices of apps and in-app purchases will also increase in Chile, Egypt, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Poland, South Korea, Sweden, and Vietnam, according to Apple.
For those unfamiliar with how App Store pricing works, Apple provides developers with preset tiers that they can price their app at, and these tiers will be increasing for the euro next month. For example, tier one will be rising from €0.99 to €1.19, while the maximum tier is set to increase from €999 to €1,199, according to Apple.
Apple periodically adjusts its App Store price tiers around the world and more information about this increase can be found on Apple's developer website. Some developers may adjust the price tier of their app to adjust for the increases.
Auto-renewable subscriptions are not affected by the price increases.
iOS 16 introduced a new privacy feature that requires apps to receive a user's permission before accessing their iPhone's clipboard to paste text from other apps, but some users have experienced an issue that causes the prompt to appear excessively.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple said it plans to address this issue in a software update that will be released next week. This news comes after an Apple executive informed a MacRumors reader that the clipboard permission prompt appearing every time that a user attempts to paste text from one app to another is "not expected behavior."
The report states that the software update will also fix an issue with some iPhone 14 Pro models freezing following a data transfer from another iPhone.
Apple has not provided a version number for the upcoming software update, but it will likely be iOS 16.0.2. Earlier today, an Apple spokesperson confirmed that the update will fix an issue causing the rear camera to shake and vibrate on some iPhone 14 Pro models in third-party camera-enabled apps like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram.
"We're aware of the issue and a fix will be released next week," an Apple spokesperson informed MacRumors earlier today. Apple did not provide any further details, but it's likely that the fix will be included in an iOS 16.0.2 software update.
All in all, this means the software update will have at least three major bug fixes.
A strange issue causing the rear camera to vibrate on some iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models does not necessitate a repair, according to Apple.
iPhone 14 Pro camera vibration issue via Luke Miani
When asked if customers who already experienced the issue on their new iPhone should visit an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, Apple said users simply need to update their iPhone once a software update with a fix is released next week, suggesting that the issue does not cause permanent hardware damage to the device.
"We're aware of the issue and a fix will be released next week," an Apple spokesperson informed MacRumors earlier today. Apple did not provide any further details, but it's likely that the fix will be included in an iOS 16.0.2 software update.
Following the launch of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, some users have noticed that the rear camera's main/bottom lens vibrates uncontrollably when the camera is opened in apps such as Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram, resulting in the lens making a rattling sound and shaky video appearing within the viewfinder on the device.
YouTuber Luke Miani claimed that the issue resulted in the main lens on an iPhone 14 Pro Max that he was testing being unable to focus properly in subsequent usage, even in the Camera app. Miani said that he took the iPhone to an Apple Store and was able to exchange the device for a new one, but it's unclear if there was any permanent damage.
Apple has not revealed the underlying cause of the issue. The main lens on both iPhone 14 Pro models features new "second-generation" sensor-shift optical image stabilization, and it is possible that the stabilizer is acting up for reasons unclear, but this is only speculation. In any case, the problem should be fixed in a matter of days.
It's unclear if next week's update will address a few other camera and AirDrop bugs that have been uncovered on iPhone 14 models since they launched on Friday.
Apple is aware of a bug that is causing the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max cameras to shake and vibrate, and a fix is set to come next week, according to an Apple spokesperson that spoke to MacRumors.
Following the release of the iPhone 14 Pro models, users noticed almost right away that there was a shaking issue with third-party camera apps like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram. The bug causes the camera to vibrate uncontrollably, which results in noticeably shaky video.
The issue appears to be widespread given the number of complaints that we've seen so far. That Apple is able to address it in a software update confirms that it is indeed a software issue and isn't something related to the hardware.
Apple's own Camera app is not affected by the vibration bug, and it is a problem limited to third-party apps. At the current time, there is no workaround and iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max users should avoid using the camera in apps like Instagram and TikTok until Apple is able to address the issue next week.
iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max are set to launch in over 20 additional countries and territories on September 23, including Malaysia, Turkey, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and others. Apple has not provided a complete list of the countries.
In Mexico, pre-orders for the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max will begin on September 23 and the devices will launch September 30.
In some of the countries, including Malaysia and Turkey, the iPhone 14 Plus will be available starting October 7. This is the same date that the device launches in the United States and more than 40 other countries and territories.
September 23 is the same day that the Apple Watch Ultra and second-generation AirPods Pro will launch in the United States and many other countries.
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus have improved cameras, longer battery life, more repairable designs, and more, while the Pro models exclusively feature the Dynamic Island, the ability to shoot 48-megapixel ProRAW photos, an optional always-on display, and a faster A16 Bionic chip. The entire iPhone 14 lineup features a new car crash detection feature, while emergency texting via satellite launches in the U.S. and Canada in November.
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