Apple today introduced a new "Ask Apple" feature that is designed to allow developers to get help with app development from Apple engineers and experts. With Ask Apple, developers can get information on implementing new beta features, updates introduced at WWDC, adopting Dynamic Island, swapping to SwiftUI, and more.
Developers will be able to ask questions of Apple team members through Q&As delivered through Slack or in 25-minute one-on-one "office hour" sessions. Developers can speak with Apple evangelists, engineers, and designers, with office hours focused on creating apps that take advantage of the latest Apple technologies.
"We've been listening to feedback from developers around the world about what will be most helpful to them as they build innovative apps, and we've seen an increased appetite for one-on-one support and conversation with Apple experts," said Susan Prescott, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations and Enterprise and Education Marketing. "Our team is committed to continuously evolving our support for our diverse global developer community, and we're excited to offer Ask Apple as another new resource."
Ask Apple is a free program with registration available to all members of the Apple Developer Program and the Apple Developer Enterprise Program. The first round of Ask Apple opportunities will be coming from October 17 to 21, with signups available on Apple's developer website.
More information can be found on Apple's developer site.
Apple today seeded the fifth beta of iOS 16.1 to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming one week after the release of the fourth iOS 16.1 beta. The iOS 16.1 beta is also joined by the sixth 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.
On the iPad, iPadOS 16 will expand the Stage Manager feature to the 2018 and 2020 iPad Pro models, and it is no longer limited to the M1 iPad Pro and M1 iPad Air. The beta removes the external display function of Stage Manager, and this feature will return in a later beta. External display support will remain limited to the M1 iPad models even though older iPad Pro models are now able to use Stage Manager.
During the beta, Apple tweaked the design of the battery status bar icon, adding a visual indication of charge level. It also changed the battery font, updated the Lock Screen charging indicator, and fixed a copy and paste bug.
Other new features in the update 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 eleventh beta of macOS 13 Ventura, the next-generation version of the Mac operating system that's set to launch this fall. The eleventh beta comes one week after Apple provided the tenth 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 in October.
Apple today seeded the fifth beta of an upcoming tvOS 16.1 update to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming one week after the launch of the fourth 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.
Apple may expand MacBook production to Thailand in the future as the company continues to diversify its supply chain, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a series of tweets today, Kuo said the main production location outside of China for Apple's future MacBooks may be Thailand. Kuo noted that Apple's entire range of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models are currently assembled in Chinese factories.
Kuo said Apple plans to increase shipments of products to the U.S. from non-Chinese factories within the next 3-5 years, but it's unclear if this would include MacBooks assembled in Thailand within that timeframe. Apple's longtime MacBook supplier Quanta Computer has been expanding its operations in Thailand over the last few years.
Apple has expanded its supply chain beyond China over the past several years, with some production now occurring at factories in India and Vietnam. Kuo said this diversification helps Apple to avoid risks like U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports.
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.
Following the "Made by Google" launch event last week, we talk through how the Pixel Watch, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and Pixel Tablet compare to Apple's devices on the latest episode of The MacRumors Show podcast.
The Pixel Watch features a striking round design with a 41mm stainless steel casing, and offers an always-on display, 24-hour battery life, and Fitbit sleep tracking, for a price of $349. With Apple Watch features like blood oxygen monitoring, ECG, Fall Detection, Emergency SOS, 32GB of memory, and more, we talk through how the Pixel Watch compares to Apple's long-reigning smart watch.
The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro offer many features that will be familiar to iPhone users such as 2x crop mode to simulate a telephoto lens, Cinematic Blur for video, Active Stabilization mode, and Face Unlock, but adds faster Night Sight, Photo Unblur, 8GB or 12GB of memory, and the custom-silicon Tensor G2 chip. The devices look to directly compete with Apple's latest iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models, but undercut them in price by about $100.
Google also offered an early look at the Pixel Tablet that is set to launch next year – a device that will undoubtedly compete with the iPad. The tablet comes alongside a speaker dock that charges the device and turns it into a home-focused device to glance at information, display photos, and control smart home accessories.
If you haven't already listened to the last episode of The MacRumors Show, be sure to catch up for a deep dive into the second-generation AirPods Pro after a week spent with Apple's new earbuds.
Amazon's second major discount event of the year has kicked off, and in this article we're focusing on discounts and promotions on the best accessories for smartphones, tablets, smart homes, smartwatches, and more. You'll need an Amazon Prime membership to access the sale, and you can sign up for Prime on Amazon. There's a 30 day free trial, and the service costs $14.99/month thereafter, or $139/year.
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.
For a collection of discounts focused on Apple products, be sure to read our post on The Best Apple Deals during Prime Early Access.
Beats
Beats has multiple headphones and earbuds on sale during the Prime Early Access event. This includes the Beats Studio Buds for $99.95 (33% off), Beats Fit Pro for $159.95 (20% off), and more.
Anker
Anker is taking up to 44 percent off select charging accessories this week, including solid deals on USB-C chargers, portable chargers, and more. Eufy also has a few deals of its own among its health and security products, including its Smart Scale P2 Pro for $49.99, down from $79.99.
Satechi has a collection of notable discounts - up to 50 percent off - on its USB-C hubs, wireless chargers, and more desk accessories during the Prime Early Access Sale this year. You can find every accessory on sale below.
Ecobee is discounting its thermostats during Prime Early Access, including the Ecobee Smart Thermostat with Voice Control for $173.13, down from $219.99. Additionally, there's the Ecobee Smart Sensor for Doors and Windows for $59.99, down from $79.99.
Casetify
You can get 20 percent off Casetify's Essential Case for iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max during Prime Early Access. For previous generation devices, Casetify is offering 30 percent off its best-selling cases for iPhone 11, iPhone 12, and iPhone 13 on Amazon.
Totallee is offering 35 percent off for both days of the Prime Early Access Sale. This promotion includes savings across all of Totallee's accessories on Amazon, covering iPhone cases, screen protectors, and more.
Jabra
Jabra's range of Bluetooth headphones is seeing notable markdowns this week, with nearly a dozen products on sale.
Das Keyboard is offering its new Mac-specific mechanical keyboard, the MacTigr, for $179.00, down from $219.00 with the on-page coupon. You can also get the 5QS smart mechanical keyboard for $169.00, down from $199.00 with the on-page coupon.
We will continue to track Prime Early Access deals as the event continues, so be sure to keep an eye on our front page for more news. Remember that you can sign up for Amazon Prime for free for one month to take advantage of the deals.
In a few weeks, Apple will release iOS 16.1 for all compatible iPhones, marking the first major update to the iOS 16 operating system since its public release in September.
With iOS 16.1, Apple is bringing several new changes, features, and bug fixes to iPhone users. We've highlighted five noteworthy changes below. iOS 16.1 is currently still in beta testing with developers and public beta testers.
Live Activities
With iOS 16.1, Apple is enabling Live Activities on the redesigned iOS 16 Lock Screen and on the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro. Live Activities are a new type of interactive notification that can dynamically display real-time information from apps without needing to open an app directly.
Uber, for example, can display a Live Activities notification on the iOS 16 Lock Screen to show the estimated time of arrival of a car. Sports apps will also be able to utilize Live Activities to showcase game scores in real time.
On the latest iPhone 14 Pro models, Live Activities are also integrated into the Dynamic Island, which allows users to see real-time information from apps as they use their phone. Live Activities are also shown on the Lock Screen in always-on display mode. Once iOS 16.1 is released to the public, apps will begin to adopt support for Live Activities.
Redesigned Battery Indicator
Over the summer, Apple added a battery percentage indicator to the status bar for iPhones with a notch. The initial version of the battery indicator included a battery icon that remained visually full, regardless of the iPhone's actual charge. In iOS 16.1, Apple is changing the behavior of the battery icon to accurately reflect the iPhone's charge level when the percentage is shown. iOS 16.1 also expands the battery indicator to more devices, including the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini.
Apple Fitness+ With Just an iPhone
Starting with iOS 16.1, iPhone users will be able to subscribe and use Apple Fitness+ without needing an Apple Watch. Fitness+ is a subscription from Apple that provides a wide catalog of workout videos and programs with different trainers. At launch, an Apple Watch was needed to use Fitness+ to display real-time metrics on the screen.
Clean Energy Charging Option
In iOS 16.1, Apple has added a new Clean Energy Charging Option that selectively charges the iPhone when lower carbon emission electricity is available in an effort to provide a more green charging method. Apple says 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.
Pre-Load In-App Content
iOS 16.1 adds a new toggle for apps downloaded from the App Store that can automatically run newly downloaded apps in the background to download content before you first launch them. The new toggle is meant to make it faster for users to begin using an app immediately after downloading without waiting for the in-app content to load.
More
iOS 16.1 is the first major update to iOS 16, so as expected, several smaller but noteworthy changes and bug fixes are included in the update.
Redesigned Wallpaper section within Settings
Constant Copy and Paste prompt has been fixed
Includes the groundwork for the smart home standard Matter and Emergency SOS via Satellite
Amazon is hosting another Prime Day event this year, called the Amazon Prime Early Access Sale and offering shoppers the first chance to save on holiday shopping from a major retailer. Similar to the first Prime Day, it will last for two days and you'll find a large selection of deals and offers across Amazon's storefront, covering savings on tech, clothing, video games, groceries, and much, much more.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
For our coverage, we're focusing entirely on Apple and Apple-related discounts that can be purchased during this 48-hour event on Amazon. As of today, this includes deals on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, iPad Air, and MacBook Pro.
As is typical for Prime Day deals, these markdowns are very time sensitive, so sales listed below may disappear fast, and new ones may appear even faster. With this in mind, we'll keep this article updated throughout the event, and keep an eye on the MacRumors front page as we'll be posting particularly great deals in separate articles this week.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Amazon Prime Early Access requires you to have an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of the discounts. Amazon Prime offers a one month free trial, and otherwise costs $14.99 per month or $139.00 per year.
AirPods
Over the past few years, one of the most popular discounts around the holidays is on Apple's AirPods. Amazon is officially kicking off this trend in 2022 with solid markdowns on AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro 2.
Prices start at $89.99 for the AirPods 2 ($39 off), then increase to $223.24 for the AirPods Pro 2 ($25.86 off). [Update: The $223.24 AirPods Pro 2 price is an additional drop beyond the previous deal from earlier today.]
These are some of the lowest prices of the year, and in the case of the AirPods Pro 2 this is now the lowest price we've ever tracked. Every deal has been applied automatically so you won't need any coupon.
During the summertime Prime Day, Amazon introduced a massive discount on the Apple TV 4K, and now this device is available for $109.99, down from $179.00. This model actually hit an all-time low price of $104.49 earlier today but remains an excellent price. The 64GB model is also available at $128.99 after hitting $123.49, but it remains a very substantial deal compared to the regular price of $199.00 for this model.
[Update: Prices have fluctuated multiple times today, but have remained excellent discounts compared to normal pricing.]
Another item seeing big discounts during Prime Early Access is the Apple Watch, with the first-ever markdowns on the Apple Watch Series 8 arriving this week.
41mm GPS Series 8
Starting with the 41mm GPS Apple Watch Series 8, this model is on sale for for $349.00, down from $399.00. It's available in (PRODUCT)RED, Midnight, and Silver aluminum color options, with the Midnight version having particularly low stock.
Secondly, the 45mm GPS Apple Watch Series 8 is discounted to $379.00, down from $429.00. It's available in (PRODUCT)RED, Silver, and Starlight, and for this model the Silver is the one facing low stock as of writing.
For a cellular option, there's also the 64GB cellular iPad for $399.00, down from $459.00. This deal is a record low price and available in both Silver and Space Gray colors.
All five of the 2022 64GB Wi-Fi iPad Air color options are available for $519.00, down from $599.00. This is another brand new record low price. The 256GB Wi-Fi model four colors on sale at $669.00, down from $749.00, an all-time low price.
We will continue to track Prime Early Access deals as the event continues, so be sure to keep an eye on our front page for more news. We'll also be regularly updating this article as prices have been fluctuating and several products have gone in and out of stock throughout the event. Remember that you can sign up for Amazon Prime for free for one month to take advantage of the deals.
Apple will add support for 5G on compatible iPhones for Indian carriers through a software update as soon as December, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke to ET News.
According to the publication, Apple and the Indian carrier Airtel will meet this week to discuss why Apple's iPhones are not compatible with India's 5G networks. Apple is reportedly already testing 5G support on iPhones in Mumbai and New Delhi, with an update officially adding support possibly being rolled out in December, the report said, citing a source.
A separate report from Reuters says the Indian government is placing pressure on Apple and Samsung to adopt 5G support for their latest smartphones. Apple first added support for 5G with the iPhone 12 in 2020, and two years later, Indian iPhone customers are still unable to use the newer and faster network. On Wednesday, the Indian government, alongside executives from Apple, Samsung, and leading carriers in the country, will meet "to prioritize" adding support for 5G on the latest smartphones.
Update: In a statement to TechCrunch, Apple has confirmed it will release a software update in December to add support for 5G on compatible iPhones for Indian carriers.
We are working with our carrier partners in India to bring the best 5G experience to iPhone users as soon as network validation and testing for quality and performance are completed. 5G will be enabled via a software update and will start rolling out to iPhone users in December.
Apple could adopt a "hybrid" OLED technology in iPads by 2024 that could allow for slimmer devices while lowering production costs, according to a new report out today (via DigiTimes).
By combining rigid OLED glass substrates with flexible OLED thin-film encapsulation, the hybrid OLED technology is said to make OLED panels thinner than rigid OLED panels. The process also reportedly incurs lower production costs than flexible OLED panels because it doesn't require a backlighting layer.
Reference to the hybrid OLED technology first appeared in an August report from Korean outlet The Elec, which also said Apple could adopt it in iPads by 2024. However, that report claimed Apple preferred hybrid OLED over the flexible OLED panels it uses in its iPhone models because the flexible panels have a tendency to visibly "crumple," especially at larger screen sizes.
The return of the rumor appears in the context of a report claiming Apple has brought another manufacturing partner into its supply chain that will likely be involved in upcoming refreshes to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and MacBook Pro.
Taiwan Surface Mounting Technology (Taiwan SMT) will undertake SMT process for mini LED backlighting of 12.9-inch iPad Pro and MacBook Pro, becoming an Apple supply chain maker for the first time, according to industry sources.
The report claims that Apple has contributed financially to Taiwan SMT's efforts to expand its production capacity, with some equipment dedicated to the SMT process for mini-LED backlighting, which is more difficult to achieve than standard LED backlighting since the former involves the use of more mini-LED chips.
Currently the only Apple devices that use mini-LED are the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. All three devices are expected to be refreshed with M2 chips before the end of the year.
Apple is expected to continue to use the mini-LED backlighting technology until the hybrid OLED technology has matured and is ready for commercialization, which is unlikely to happen before 2024, according to the report.
Jony Ive is working on a project for Apple, but this time it's neither hardware nor software. The former Apple design chief is an executive producer in forthcoming Apple TV+ animated film "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse," which will debut on the streaming service over the festive period.
Adapted from the bestselling Charlie Mackesy book of the same name, the short film tells the story of a friendship that kindles between the four characters as they search for a home for the boy. It stars Tom Hollander as The Mole, Idris Elba as The Fox, Gabriel Byrne as The Horse, and newcomer Jude Coward Nicoll as The Boy.
The film will be directed by Peter Baynton, while the production team includes Cara Speller, J. J. Abrams, and Hannah Minghella. Ive is credited as an executive producer alongside Woody Harrelson, a known friend of the famous Apple designer. The film will have an original score by composer Isobel Waller-Bridge, performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra and conducted by Geoff Alexander. From the Apple press release:
A story of kindness, friendship, courage and hope for viewers of all ages in a heartwarming, classically animated film based on Charlie Mackesy's book, "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse." The poignant and heartfelt journey follows the unlikely friendship of a boy, a mole, a fox and a horse travelling together in the boy's search for home.
"The journey of making the film of 'The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse' with my incredibly gifted animation team has been a magical one," says author Charlie Mackesy. "I never dreamt it would happen — but it's so moving to think the story will be watched at Christmas. I really hope it brings a bit of joy, laughter and comfort."
Ive announced his departure from Apple in June 2019, with the goal of creating his own design firm, LoveFrom. At the time, Ive said that Apple would be one of his primary clients, with Ive continuing to do design work.
He went on to work on the 24-inch iMac and other products, plus he provided guidance on the Apple Car design. However, it was reported in July that the partnership between Apple and Ive had come to an end.
Set for release on Christmas Day, December 25, "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse" will premiere on the BBC in the United Kingdom and will also be available to stream on Apple TV+ in the UK and other countries.
Apple plans to release iPadOS 16.1 in the final week of October, barring any new software bugs or issues, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In a tweet today, Gurman said iPadOS 16.1 is on track to be released the week of October 24. Apple will likely release iOS 16.1 at the same time as iPadOS 16.1 given that the latest beta of each update have the same build number.
Given the delay, iPadOS 16 will be released as iPadOS 16.1 instead. The update is compatible with all iPad Pro models, the third-generation iPad Air and later, the fifth-generation iPad mini and later, and the fifth-generation iPad and later.
iPadOS 16.1 is on track to be released the week of Oct. 24th — barring any new bugs or issues. Apple has historically held launches the week of its earnings calls in October.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) October 10, 2022
Apple previously said iPadOS 16 would be released in October, but the company did not provide a specific release date.
Apple recently expanded Stage Manager to older iPad Pro models with A12X and A12Z chips released in 2018 and 2020, albeit without external display support, which limits the feature to four apps on the built-in display on these models. Apple also delayed external display support for iPad models with the M1 chip until later this year.
Apple has improved Stage Manager in recent weeks, but some users said the feature still has several issues in the latest iPadOS 16 beta.
macOS Ventura will also be released in October — potentially alongside iPadOS 16.1.
Alongside iOS 16.0.3, Apple today also released watchOS 9.0.2 with several bug fixes for Apple Watch users. The update addresses high-profile bugs related to Spotify streaming issues and microphone interruptions for Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra users, as well as a few other bugs.
This update includes improvements and bug fixes for your Apple Watch.
- Interruptions to streaming audio on Spotify - Snooze alarm notifications continue after the alarm is deleted for AssistiveTouch users - Incomplete syncing of Wallet and Fitness data for newly paired Apple Watch - Audio from microphone interrupted for some Apple Watch Series 8 and Ultra users
watchOS 9.0.2 can be downloaded for free through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update.
To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the iPhone.
Apple today released iOS 16.0.3, a minor bug fix update that comes a few weeks after the launch of the iOS 16 operating system. The iOS 16.0.3 update follows iOS 16.0.2, software that addressed a number of launch day bugs on the iPhone 14 models.
The iOS 16.0.3 update can be downloaded on eligible iPhones over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
According to Apple's release notes, the iOS 16.0.3 update addresses a number of bugs that iPhone users have run into over the course of the last few weeks.
This update provides bug fixes and important security updates for your iPhone including the following:
- Incoming call and app notifications may be delayed or not delivered on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max - Low microphone volume can occur during CarPlay phone calls on iPhone 14 models - Camera may be slow to launch or switch between modes on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max - Mail crashes on launch after receiving a malformed email
The CarPlay bug caused iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max users to experience low volume levels when attempting to make a hands-free phone call in a vehicle. The issue caused the person making the call to sound quiet or far away when speaking, making them difficult to hear.
The camera issue saw some users reporting delays of up to four or five seconds before the Camera app began working after launch in some cases.
There has also been a persistent display flickering issue, which causes some iPhone owners who upgraded to iOS 16 to see flickering in dark spots on the display when the iPhone is at low brightness, but it's unclear whether that issue is addressed in this update.
iOS 16.0.3 will likely be followed by iOS 16.1, which is set to be released alongside iPadOS 16.1 in the near future.
Today we're tracking a pair of all-time low discounts on the 2021 M1 iPad Pro, including both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch versions of the tablet. You'll find both of these sales on Amazon.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Starting with the 11-inch iPad Pro, you can get the 512GB Wi-Fi model for $849.00, down from $1,099.00. This one is available in both Silver and Space Gray, and at $250 off it's an all-time low price.
Next, the 256GB Wi-Fi 12.9-inch iPad Pro is on sale for $899.00, down from $1,199.00. This one is only available in Silver, and it's another record low price for the 2021 iPad Pro. Both tablets are in stock and ready to ship today on Amazon.
You can expect more discounts on select Apple products over the next few days with Amazon's "Prime Early Access Sale" this Tuesday and Wednesday. If you're not already a Prime member, Amazon offers a 30-day free trial to help get your holiday shopping started early.
In a new interview, two Apple executives have offered a deeper dive into the iPhone 14's new Crash Detection feature, which can detect if a user has been involved in a car accident and automatically contact emergency services and contacts.
During the interview with TechCrunch's Brian Heater, Apple's vice president of worldwide iPhone product marketing, Kaiann Drance, and the company's vice president of sensing and connectivity, Ron Huang, shed some light on the technical aspects of how the latest iPhone and Apple Watch models actually detect a car crash.
The latest devices include updated sensors that can detect sudden changes in motion and pressure, along with other data types from the iPhone, to trigger an alert. The updated accelerometer in the latest iPhone models can measure G-force measurements of up to 256Gs. As Apple was developing the feature, it required a "fundamental understanding of what is experienced during a crash," said Huang in the interview. "In these crashes, you see impact forces over 100Gs. We started around 256Gs. Any time you try to increase that range, there are trade-offs, in terms of precision at the higher range and the power costs. It took the team a lot of work to build the sensors in this way."
Alongside data from the gyroscope and accelerometer, the iPhone uses multiple other variables to understand if a user is moving in a car and if they've been involved in an accident. "There's no silver bullet, in terms of activating crash detection," said Huang, adding that there is no set number of factors that must be present before Crash Detection is triggered and emergency services are contacted.
It's hard to say how many of these things have to trigger, because it's not a straight equation. Depending how fast the traveling speed was earlier, determines what signals we have to see later on, as well. Your speed change, combined with the impact force, combined with the pressure change, combined with the sound level, it's all a pretty dynamic algorithm.
There are some car accidents in which the iPhone 14 or newer Apple Watch models may deliberately not contact emergency services. "I actually had a rear-end fender bender when I was in New York earlier. My crash detection did not go off," Drance said. "It's just one of those minor things where you just get out of your car and keep going. That's part of the sensor fusion and accuracy, because we don't want to be doing a lot of false calls to 9-1-1 when they're not necessary."
Despite Apple's efforts to reduce false calls to emergency services, reports have emerged that iPhone 14 devices are calling emergency services when users are riding a roller coaster. The false alarm calls are likely a result of the iPhone 14's sensors falsely interpreting the sudden braking and movement of the ride as a collision with another vehicle. Other factors the iPhone uses include noise, such as engine or road noise, as well as Wi-Fi routers near an iPhone rapidly changing as a result of being in a moving vehicle.
Huang also touched on how Apple tested Crash Detection, noting the company placed the iPhone in many places around a car, equipped with cameras to analyze the impact. Apple also looked at data from the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to understand what types of accidents are the leading causes of injuries.
We put iPhones in many different places throughout the car — on the dummies and the car itself and mounts and so forth. And then we collect all of the raw sensor data coming from these devices during such a crash. We put cameras inside and outside the cars, as well, so from the footage, you can time the actual impact, what the pressure sensors see when the airbag goes off in slow motion. We're able to look at data in high fidelity. We also look at DATA from the Department of Transportation or the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) to understand what kinds of crashes are the leading causes of injuries.
Crash Detection is available on the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 8, and Apple Watch Ultra.
Just weeks after launch, the Apple Watch Series 8 is already seeing its first significant discounts at a major retailer with Amazon taking $50 off many of the cheapest configurations, GPS models in both 41mm and 45mm sizes.
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.
For example, the 41mm GPS aluminum Apple Watch Series 8 in Silver with White Sport Band is now available for $349.00, compared to the regular price of $399.00. Midnight and (PRODUCT)RED versions are also currently available at the discounted $349 price, but some configurations remain at the regular $399.
Customers should be aware that Apple is now requiring users select either a S/M or M/L Sport Band at the time of purchase rather than including band pieces for both sizes, so be sure you are purchasing the proper band size and that the configuration you want is on sale.
Those who prefer the larger Apple Watch size will find similar $50 discounts on select 45mm GPS aluminum Apple Watch Series 8 models such as Starlight with Starlight Sport Band, bringing the price down to $379.00 from $429.00. Silver and (PRODUCT)RED versions with M/L Sport Bands are also currently showing the discounted price.
Expect more discounts on select Apple products over the next few days with Amazon's "Prime Early Access Sale" this Tuesday and Wednesday. If you're not already a Prime member, Amazon offers a 30-day free trial to help get your holiday shopping started early.
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.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
