Apple's website is currently experiencing issues for many users around the world, although parts of the website are still functional. Apple's oft-delayed system status page does not yet reflect any issues with the company's online store or other services.
The outage is affecting Apple's website in both the U.S. and many other regions, but not all pages are impacted. The root cause is unclear.
Update 10:00 p.m.: Apple's website appears to be operating normally once again after being largely nonfunctional for approximately two hours.
Amid criticism from some customers regarding the removal of the SIM card tray on all iPhone 14 models sold in the United States, Apple today published a new support document outlining various "options and benefits" for using eSIMs while traveling abroad.
Apple says an eSIM is more secure than a physical SIM since it cannot be removed from an iPhone that is lost or stolen. Apple also says that eSIMs eliminate the need to obtain, carry, and swap physical SIM cards, or wait for them to arrive by mail.
The support document notes that the iPhone XS and newer can store eight or more eSIMs, while the iPhone 13 and newer can have two eSIMs active at the same time.
"This could, for example, include one eSIM for your home and another eSIM for the place you're visiting," the support document explains. "You can swap which of your stored eSIMs are active simply by changing your selections in Settings."
The support document includes information for customers looking to roam internationally with their existing carrier, purchase an eSIM from a local carrier while traveling abroad, or purchase a prepaid data eSIM from a worldwide service provider.
Apple says customers can activate an unlocked iPhone 14 model purchased in the United States with over 400 carriers that support eSIM on the iPhone in 100 markets around the world. Apple adds that many worldwide service providers also offer prepaid eSIM data plans for long-term use in countries around the world.
Some people have expressed concerns about eSIM availability while traveling abroad with eSIM-only iPhone 14 models from the United States.
In his iPhone 14 Pro camera review, travel photographer Austin Mann said he was "a bit concerned about the practicality of an eSIM-only approach for travelers with US iPhones who frequently visit the developing world," adding that he usually purchases a local SIM card in countries where he travels to so that it is easier and cheaper to communicate with people within the country. Mann said he would be thrilled to toss out his collection of physical SIM cards, but said he has been unable to figure out how to sign up for an eSIM line in East Africa, where he plans to travel to next summer.
The support document is unlikely to assuage disappointed customers, but it does serve as a helpful resource for using eSIM technology.
Almost three years after the launch of the first-generation AirPods Pro, Apple unveiled the second-generation model alongside the iPhone 14 lineup and several new Apple Watches. Although the second-generation AirPods Pro feature the same design as their predecessor, they improve on features like Active Noise Cancellation, in-ear detection, and battery life, while introducing new functionality like Adaptive Transparency, volume adjustment touch controls, and precision finding.
The first-generation AirPods Pro have now been discontinued by Apple, but they can still be found for reduced prices at third-party resellers and second-hand. As such, some customers may be weighing up whether to purchase first-generation AirPods Pro for a reduced price or the second-generation version.
The two AirPods Pro generations share the overwhelming majority of their features, so should you consider buying or sticking with the first-generation AirPods Pro to save money? This breakdown also serves as a way to see all the differences that the new AirPods Pro bring to the table.
Differences
AirPods Pro (First-Generation)
AirPods Pro (Second-Generation)
Active Noise Cancellation
Active Noise Cancellation (2x stronger)
Transparency
Transparency and Adaptive Transparency
High dynamic range amplifier powering a high-excursion, low-distortion speaker driver
New low-distortion audio driver and custom amplifier for richer bass and clearer sound
H1 chip
H2 chip
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 5.3
Optical IR sensors for in-ear detection
Skin-detect sensors for in-ear detection
Force sensor controls
Force sensors and touch controls for volume adjustment
IPX4 sweat and water resistant earbuds
IPX4 sweat and water resistant earbuds and charging case
Up to 4.5 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation enabled
Up to 6 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation enabled
24 hours of total listening time with Active Noise Cancellation using MagSafe Charging Case
30 hours of total listening time with Active Noise Cancellation using MagSafe Charging Case
MagSafe Charging Case with built-in speaker for Find My, Precision Tracking, and Lanyard loop
MagSafe Charging Case compatible with MagSafe charger, Qi wireless charging mats, and Lightning
MagSafe Charging Case compatible with Apple Watch charger, MagSafe charger, Qi wireless charging mats, and Lightning
Three silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
Four silicone ear tips (XS, S, M, L)
Overall, the second-generation AirPods Pro offer a modest upgrade over the previous generation with valuable enhancements across the board, but there are few must-have new features. Some users who heavily use their AirPods Pro may be able to justify upgrading to the second-generation model due to the wide range of improvements, but this will not be the case for all existing users.
Many users who recently purchased the AirPods Pro may not be able to justify upgrading to the second-generation AirPods Pro at the current time, unless they particularly want features like Adaptive Transparency, touch controls for volume adjustment, or Apple Watch charger compatibility. Users who purchased their AirPods Pro in late 2019 or early 2020 may see more of a reason to upgrade, especially if the batteries in their existing device have significantly degraded. These customers will benefit from the plethora of refinements that the second-generation model offers.
If you've been interested in purchasing the AirPods Pro for a while, now is still a good time to pick up the first-generation model for a hefty discount, but it should be remembered that they are now over three years old. Likewise, it is worth bearing in mind that the AirPods Pro are among the most-commonly discounted Apple products, so check out our Apple Deals Roundup for significant savings.
When iOS 15 was released last year, it was installed on just 8.5 percent of devices at the two day mark, which means people are installing iOS 16 at a more rapid pace this year.
iOS 16 is perhaps a more appealing update because of the visual changes that it brings to the iPhone with the customizable Lock Screen and widget options. It also brings desirable Messages features that include iMessage editing, undo send, and more.
There are iOS 16 features that have been delayed, such as iCloud Shared Photo Library, Matter support, and the Freeform app, so we will see installation numbers tick up after these options become available. We also typically see a solid jump when new emoji are added, and we could get an emoji update sometime this fall.
At the current time, Apple is also giving people the option to stay on iOS 15.7, a move that can also keep people from installing the iOS 16 update. With iOS 15, Apple allowed people to stay on iOS 14 for some time, but removed the option four months after the launch of iOS 15.
Mixpanel measures iOS adoption rates based on visits to apps and websites where its analytics metrics are used, and this is not official data from Apple. Apple may not provide updated iOS installation numbers for some time as it has not updated iOS 15 information since May 31.
The data from Mixpanel suggests that 78.41 percent of people are continuing to run iOS 15, and nearly 10 percent have an older version of iOS. The new iOS 16 update is available on the iPhone 8 and later, with Apple dropping support for the iPhone 6s and iPhone 7 models.
If you haven't yet installed iOS 16, we have a great iOS 15 vs. iOS 16 guide that can help you decide whether to update. Once you've installed iOS 16, we also have we have a walkthrough that helps you figure out what to set up first, as well as an iOS 16 roundup that has details on all of the available features.
iPhone 14 Pro reviews published earlier today have revealed some additional information about the device's optional always-on display mode.
Always-on Apple Maps via Brian Tong
In addition to the Lock Screen, the always-on display works with the Apple Maps, Phone, and Voice Memos apps, according to Brian Tong's review. In the Maps app, the map is hidden and only the directions, arrival time, and distance remaining are shown. In the Phone and Voice Memos apps, various parts of the interface are dimmed.
Tong demonstrated this functionality in his video below, starting at the 4:40 mark.
As noted by CNBC's Sofia Pitt, the always-on display also works with the virtual Apple TV Remote feature in Control Center, allowing it to be used in dimmed fashion without unlocking the iPhone. The remote feature works with all Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD models, the third-generation Apple TV, and AirPlay 2-enabled smart TVs.
Always-on Apple TV Remote in Control Center via CNBC's Sofia Pitt
Some early reviews of the iPhone 14 Pro noted the always-on display has an impact on battery life, but it's not likely to be excessive given that the display ramps down to a low-power state with a 1Hz refresh rate when in always-on display mode. Nevertheless, the feature can be toggled off in the Settings app under Display & Brightness.
iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max launch this Friday, with other new features including the Dynamic Island replacement for the notch, an upgraded rear camera system with a 48-megapixel primary lens, new Deep Purple and Space Black color options, and more.
Apple today confirmed that the Live Activities Lock Screen feature is going to be available when iOS 16.1 launches. Apple shared the information with developers and said that the ActivityKit API is available so developers can begin incorporating Live Activities into their apps.
Live Activities are interactive notifications that stay up to date, allowing you to keep an eye on things happening in real time right from the Lock Screen. If you're following a sports game, for example, you can see the updated score on the Lock Screen, or if you're waiting for a Uber ride, you can watch for your driver to approach.
You'll be able to follow along with Live Activities on the Lock Screen, and iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max users will also see Live Activities in the Dynamic Island.
Apple says that when the iOS 16.1 release candidate is available to developers, apps with Live Activities will be able to be submitted to the App Store.
Though iOS 16 was just released on Monday, Apple is already moving on to testing the next update to the operating system. iOS 16.1 was seeded to developers today, and it introduces a handful of new features that are worth noting.
Lock Screen/Home Screen Customization
When tapping on the "Customize" interface on the Lock Screen, there's now an option to choose between customizing either the Lock Screen or the Home Screen, rather than just the Lock Screen. This makes it easier to customize the look of the iPhone from one spot without having to go through multiple steps.
Apple Fitness+ on iPhone Without an Apple Watch
Apple Fitness+ is available even if you do not have an Apple Watch to use with both iOS 16.1 and tvOS 16.1. You can start a workout if you are an Apple Fitness+ subscriber, though you will be missing the Apple Watch metrics on the display.
You can subscribe to Apple Fitness+ without a watch after the updates have been installed.
Matter Support
iOS 16.1 introduces a new "Matter Accessories" section to the Settings app, suggesting that Apple is preparing for the fall launch of the Matter smart home standard.
Tapping into the Matter Accessories section suggests that it will display all Matter accessories that have been added to a connected service. "These can also be added to additional services with an app that supports Matter," reads the text. Matter will allow interoperability between smart devices from different companies, so HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Assistant devices, for example, can work together.
In the release notes for the update, Apple says that pairing Matter accessories first requires a profile installed on your device. There are also several other known issues with the Matter standard at the current time, with workarounds available on Apple's site.
Removing Apple Home from the Matter accessory Connected Services menu in Home doesn't remove the accessory tile.
You might receive an alert to turn on Wi-Fi when pairing a Matter accessory.
Accessory details might not open if a Matter accessory is unreachable.
You might be unable to pair using a Matter ECM code via the Matter Support Framework pairing API.
Uncertified accessory notifications might appear when pairing Matter accessories.
You might be unable to pair a Matter accessory if the accessory is already paired to a third-party ecosystem.
The device that initiates the pairing needs to use the same iCloud account as the home hub. Only the owner of a home, not an invited user, can pair Matter accessories.
This section was removed in the third beta of iOS 16.1.
Clean Energy Charging
iOS 16.1 adds a toggle to enable "Clean Energy Charging" in the Battery section of the Settings app. Clean Energy Charging will try to reduce your carbon footprint by selectively charging when lower carbon emission electricity is available.
Apple says that the iPhone will still reach full charge before you need to use it based on your daily charging routine, and the feature can be toggled off if desired. It appears to be enabled by default when updating to iOS 16.1.
Live Activities API
iOS 16.1 re-adds the Live Activities API that was available for developers for testing purposes during the iOS 16 beta. iPhone users cannot access Live Activities at the current time as there are no apps that support it, but developers can begin implementing support.
Delete Wallet App
iOS 16.1 adds the option to remove the Wallet app from the iPhone entirely. In iOS 16 and earlier versions of iOS, the app could be removed from the Home Screen, but not deleted. It is now able to be deleted entirely for those who do not want to use Apple Pay or other Wallet features.
The option comes as Apple is facing a lawsuit accusing it of violating antitrust law by making Apple Pay the only available mobile wallet for tap-to-pay payments on iPhone.
Battery Percentage in Status Bar
iOS 16.1 adds battery percentage to the battery icon in the status bar on the iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 mini, and iPhone 13 mini, all iPhones that did not support the feature in iOS 16.
Screenshot UI
When you close the Screenshot editing tool, there is an updated interface in the upper right corner that gives the options to delete a screenshot, copy and delete, or save it. This menu used to be at the bottom of the iPhone, so this new implementation is sleeker and less in your face as it does not take over the bottom of the display.
Battery Status Bar Visual Charge Indicator
Apple in iOS 16 added battery percentage to the battery icon in the status bar on Face ID iPhones, and in iOS 16.1 beta 2, improved the feature to show a visual indication of the charge level.
The battery icon shifts throughout the day as the battery depletes or is charged, making it easier to see charge level at a glance. Prior to the beta, the battery indicator in the status bar showed percent, but the battery level was static and always full, making it sometimes confusing to determine the iPhone's charge with a quick look.
Battery Font
Apple has updated the font that's used for the battery icon, slightly increasing the size.
Lock Screen Charging Indicator
When charging an iPhone, the battery percentage is now displayed above the time both when the iPhone first starts charging and each time that it is woken from sleep during the charging process.
This allows for a clear indication of the charge level when tapping on the iPhone's display without unlocking the device. The always-on display does not show charge level and waking the screen on an iPhone 14 Pro model is required to get the battery level to show up.
Copy and Paste Fix
The incessant copy and paste prompts that iOS 16 users are seeing have been addressed in iOS 16.1, and you no longer need to explicitly approve each and every copy and paste attempt. While this is fixed in iOS 16.1, we are expecting Apple to address it prior to the iOS 16.1 launch with an iOS 16 bug fix update that is planned for next week.
No Camera Shake Fix
Reports suggest that the bug causing the iPhone 14 Pro rear camera to shake and vibrate has not been addressed in iOS 16.1 beta 2. Apple has said that the issue will be fixed in an iOS 16 update coming next week, and we are expecting an iOS 16.0.2 release.
Wallpaper Updates
Apple has updated the Wallpaper section of the Settings app to allow users to swap between wallpapers from this interface. The design has also been tweaked, making the options to add new wallpaper more obvious.
Stage Manager
In the latest beta of iPadOS 16.1, Apple has expanded Stage Manager availability to the 2018 and 2020 iPad Pro models equipped with A12Z and A12X chips. Previously, Stage Manager was limited to the M1 iPad Pro and M1 iPad Air models.
Apple has also removed external display support from Stage Manager in this beta, with the feature to return in a future update to iPadOS 16. When reintroduced, external display support will be limited to M1 iPad models. .
Emergency SOS via Satellite
Apple is beginning to lay the groundwork for Emergency SOS via Satellite and Find My satellite integration, functionality that is coming to iPhone 14 models starting in November. Code in the update reveals some of the text we can expect to see.
Send your location using a supported iPhone from places where there are no cellular or Wi-Fo networks.
Send your Location via Satellite.
This friend sent you their location via satellite because they have no other network available.
Can send location again after X amount of time.
X hours ago - Last time your location was sent.
You can now text emergency services via satellite on your iPhone.
iPhone can try to use a satellite to text emergency services. When it's safe, exit the vehicle and follow the iPhone instructions.
iPhone is texting emergency services via satellite.
AirPods Pro 2 Volume Touch Control Toggle
The iOS 16.1 beta adds a new feature that allows the touch-based volume control of the AirPods Pro 2 to be disabled.
Preload In-App Content
After you've downloaded an app from the App Store, there is sometimes extra content to download the first time you open it, especially if it's an app that has a large size. With iOS 16.1, there is a toggle to automatically run newly downloaded apps in the background to download content before you first launch them.
The setting is enabled by default and can be found in the Settings app under App Store > In-App Content.
Other New Features
Know of a new feature in iOS 16.1 that we left out? Let us know in the comments below.
The iOS 16.1 beta that was provided to developers today introduces a new Clean Energy Charging feature, which is designed to help iPhone users cut down on their carbon footprint.
Available in the Battery section of the Settings app, Clean Energy Charging selectively charges when lower carbon emission electricity is available in an effort to provide a more green charging method.
Apple says that the iPhone will still reach a full charge before it's needed based on a user's daily routine, and the feature can be toggled off if desired. It is enabled by default.
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.
Apple in iOS 16 updated the battery icon on iPhones with Face ID to display the specific battery percentage rather than just a visual representation of battery level. At launch, this feature did not include the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone XR, or iPhone 11, but according to multiple reports from the MacRumors forums and Twitter, all of these iPhones now support the feature.
Battery percent was not present on iPhones that have Face ID in iOS 15 because of the lack of space on either side of the notch that houses the TrueDepth camera hardware, but Apple's updated iOS 16 design adds the specific battery level to the battery icon, providing a better idea of battery status at a glance.
With this update, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone XR, and iPhone 11 users can see their battery percentage in the status bar, and battery percentage is officially available on the iPhone XR and later. Devices without a Face ID notch always display the battery percentage as well.
Marques Brownlee's review of the iPhone 14 Pro today provides a helpful overview of everything that the Dynamic Island can do so far.
Low Battery alert in Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro via MKBHD
There are currently around 30 things that the Dynamic Island can show, including system alerts for incoming phone calls, AirPods and other accessories being connected, Face ID authentication, Apple Pay, AirDrop, AirPlay, car keys in the Wallet app, unlocking the iPhone with an Apple Watch, charging and low battery indicators, ring/silent mode, various NFC interactions, Focus mode changes, Shortcuts, Airplane Mode, SIM card alerts, and Find My.
Notably, iPhone 14 Pro models no longer display an annoying low battery alert in the middle of the screen when the device drops to 20% battery life remaining, with or without a charger connected, as The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern confirmed to us. Instead, the low battery alert appears in the Dynamic Island and requires no action from the user.
Dynamic Island also allows users to interact with live activities, such as an ongoing phone call, a SharePlay session, music playback, a timer, turn-by-turn directions in Apple Maps, voice memos, screen recordings, and Personal Hotspot connections. Music playback is supported for Apple Music and for third-party apps using the Now Playing API, including Spotify, YouTube Music, SoundCloud, Overcast, Stitcher, and others.
Last, Dynamic Island also works with third-party apps using the CallKit API, such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Skype, and Google Voice.
Stern provided a closer look at the Dynamic Island in her iPhone 14 Pro review video, which was shot on an actual island in the New York City area.
Exclusive to iPhone 14 Pro models, the Dynamic Island is a pill-shaped area that replaces the notch found on previous models. Aided by software, the Dynamic Island morphs into different shapes and sizes for system alerts and other tasks. The feature will also work with Live Activities in third-party apps starting later this year.
The iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16.1 betas that were released to developers today add a new "Matter Accessories" section to the Settings app as Apple begins preparing for the launch of the new Matter smart home standard.
Tapping into the Matter Accessories section suggests that it will display all Matter accessories that have been added to a connected service. "These can also be added to additional services with an app that supports Matter," reads the text.
Apple has not yet implemented official support for Matter, but has said that it will be introduced sometime this fall. Matter is a new interoperable, secure connectivity standard that is designed for smart home devices.
Created by the Connectivity Standards Alliance that includes tech companies like Apple, Amazon, and Google, Matter ensures interoperability between smart home devices from different companies. HomeKit, Google Assistant, Alexa, SmartThings, and other smart home devices that support Matter will be able to work together.
Some accessory makers are set to support Matter as soon as the new standard is released and supported by Apple.
The new iPhone 14 Pro Max lasts two hours longer than last year's iPhone 13 Pro Max, according to a battery test conducted by Tom's Guide meant to simulate real-life usage.
In its review of the iPhone 14 Pro Max, Tom's Guide said that the iPhone 14 Pro Max lasted an average 14 of hours and 42 minutes on a single full charge. In a similar test, the iPhone 13 Pro Max lasted 12 hours and 16 minutes. On Tom's Guide's ranking of battery life in smartphones, the iPhone 14 Pro Max now ranks in 2nd place after the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro, which clocked in at around 15 hours and 30 minutes.
In its testing, Tom's Guide found that the iPhone 14 Pro Max only drained 30% in 5 hours while downloading apps, listening to music, and taking pictures and videos.
Anecdotally, the iPhone 14 Pro Max fared quite well in terms of endurance. After charging close to 90% and then using the phone from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. for downloading apps, playing music and shooting photos and videos, the phone's battery only dropped to 60%.
When it comes to charging, Tom's Guide'S test results fall short of Apple's claim that the iPhone 14 Pro Max can charge up to 50% in less than 30 minutes. Tests conducted by the publication showed it only charged to 42% from 0% in half an hour.
Unfortunately, the iPhone 14 Pro Max sticks with 20W charging, so there are faster charging phones out there. Charging a drained iPhone 14 Pro Max, we got to only 42% in 30 minutes; Apple claims you can hit 50%, so we'll be retesting and updating this review. By comparison, the Galaxy S22 Ultra got to 58% in 30 minutes with its 25W charger, and the OnePlus 10 Pro reached 93% and got to 55% in 15 minutes, benefitting from 65W charging speeds.
Compared to the iPhone 13 Pro Max, the iPhone 14 Pro Max does actually have a slightly smaller battery, but benefits from the new A16 Bionic chip and a more efficient display. Unlike the iPhone 13 Pro, the iPhone 14 Pro features a more advanced OLED display with a variable refresh rate of as low as 1Hz, as opposed to as low as 10Hz for last year's iPhone.
On top of the more efficient OLED panel, the display is now controlled by a new display engine embedded in the A16 Bionic chip that mitigates power consumption and features like ProMotion, Dynamic Island, and the always-on display.
Reviews of the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max were shared earlier today, offering a more detailed look at Dynamic Island, the new 48MP Main camera, the always-on display, and more. The iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max will begin arriving to customers on Friday, September 16.
Apple today released the first beta of iOS 16.1 to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming one day after the launch of the iOS 16 operating system.
Registered developers can download the iOS 16 profile from the Apple Developer Center, and once installed, the beta will be available over the air.
There's no word as of yet what's included in the beta, but there are several iOS 16 features that have not yet been implemented. We are waiting on Apple to add Live Activities, a feature that allows you to follow activities happening in real time on the Lock Screen.
Apple has also delayed iCloud Shared Photo Library, the feature that allows you to more easily share photos with friends and family. Other features that have not yet been added to iOS 16 include the planned Freeform app, updates to Game Center, Apple Wallet key sharing, a new Home app architecture, and support for the Matter smart home standard.
When we learn what's new in the iOS 16.1 beta, we'll update this article.
Apple today seeded another beta of the upcoming iPadOS 16.1 software to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming three weeks after the initial iPadOS 16.1 beta was seeded out.
Registered developers can download the iPadOS 16 profile from the Apple Developer Center, and once installed, the beta will be available over the air.
Apple has opted to delay the launch of iPadOS 16 in order to continue working out bugs and other issues with the Stage Manager feature that is coming to M1iPad models. iPadOS 16 will not launch in September alongside iOS 16, and will instead be released as iPadOS 16.1 at a later date.
"As its own platform with features specifically designed for iPad, we have the flexibility to deliver iPadOS on its own schedule. This Fall, iPadOS will ship after iOS, as version 16.1 in a free software update," Apple said.
With the first beta of iPadOS 16.1, Apple has already started to make improvements to the way that Stage Manager works, changing the way the side rail can be interacted with while in full screen.
Apple rarely splits iOS and iPadOS launches apart, but it has decided so in this case because the latest version of iPadOS is rife with bugs and has been seeing a number of complaints about the multitasking Stage Manager option that continues to need refinements.
Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming watchOS 9.1 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new beta coming just one day after the launch of watchOS 9.
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, but watchOS 9 brought a redesigned Compass app, a new medication tracking feature, updated watch faces, improvements to Workouts, new features for the ECG app, and more.
We'll update this article if anything notable is found in the watchOS 9.1 update.
Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming tvOS 16.1 update to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming just one day after the launch of the tvOS 16 operating system.
Developers can download the new tvOS 16.1 beta by downloading a profile onto the Apple TV using Xcode.
tvOS updates are typically minor, focusing on under-the-hood bug fixes and improvements rather than outward-facing changes. There is no word as of yet what's included in the tvOS 16.1 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. 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.
A key new feature of iPhone 14 Pro models is the Dynamic Island, a pill-shaped area that replaces the notch on previous models. Aided by software, the Dynamic Island morphs into different shapes and sizes for things such as incoming phone calls, alerts, notifications, Face ID authentication, timers, and more. Dynamic Island will also integrate with Live Activities in third-party apps starting later this year.
One smaller detail that we have now confirmed is that the Dynamic Island is only visible in screenshots taken on iPhone 14 Pro models while it is being used by apps, or when the camera/microphone indicator dots are active. The screenshot shows the entire Dynamic Island, including any added elements, such as a circular timer icon.
On the other hand, the Dynamic Island does not appear in screenshots when it is completely inactive. In this case, the screenshot simply shows the wallpaper behind the Dynamic Island, which is the same screenshot behavior as on iPhones with a notch.
This approach makes sense, as when the Dynamic Island is actively being used, it contains information that could be valuable for screenshots.
According to Marques Brownlee's review of the iPhone 14 Pro models, this same behavior applies to screen recordings on the devices as well.
Reviews for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max have been published, offering a more detailed look at Apple's new high-end phones and all they have to offer, including an always-on display.
One detail confirmed today by the reviews is that the always-on display features no customization features, as it only displays a tinted version of a user's iOS 16 Lock Screen wallpaper, widgets, and Live Activities, if any are actively running. Users can't customize the always-on display, such as what information it chooses or whether it shows a darkened wallpaper or a black background.
Users can, however, disable the always-on display entirely from within the Display and Brightness section of Settings. Reviewers noted that it's too early to tell whether or not the always-on display has a material impact on battery life, so we'll have to wait a few weeks before we know its effect.
The new iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max feature more power-efficient OLED displays with a variable refresh rate as low as 1Hz. This is just one of several power-saving features that the iPhone 14 Pro has for the always-on display. Today we learned from Engadget that in order to limit the impact of the always-on display on battery life, the iPhone 14 Pro prerenders individual frames for elements that predictably change, such as the time, and feeds them to the always-on display when appropriate.
As reported earlier this week, the iPhone 14 Pro intelligently detects if a user who's wearing an Apple Watch paired with the iPhone leaves the room, and when they do, it will disable the always-on display.
By disabling the always-on display when a user leaves the room, the iPhone 14 Pro saves battery life and helps safeguard privacy as the display doesn't show a user's wallpaper and widgets when they're not present.
