Earlier this year, General Motors revealed it is planning to phase out support for CarPlay and Android Auto in all of its electric vehicles, citing the need for tighter integration with the vehicle as GM rolls out a new infotainment system co-developed with Google.
With this week's high-profile unveiling of the $130,000+ Cadillac Escalade IQ that will launch in late 2024, GM followed through on its promise as the automaker confirmed to The Verge yesterday that the luxury electric SUV won't support CarPlay or Android Auto anywhere on its massive 55-inch dashboard display.
The move to discontinue to CarPlay and Android Auto is more of a political one than a technical one, however, as MacRumors alum and car journalist Jordan Golson noted in his video overview of the new Escalade IQ.
Golson spoke to GM representatives about the omission and they shared that the decision was made due to EV-specific functionality such as utilizing vehicle charge state information to assist with navigation routing. When using CarPlay or Android Auto, the user's phone has no knowledge of the vehicle's charge state, and GM believes that forcing users to use the built-in Google-based system which can account for this information will deliver a better user experience.
Golson says that given this is not a technical decision, GM could update the infotainment system on the Escalade IQ and other upcoming EVs to add CarPlay and Android Auto if it finds customers are demanding it, but there are no guarantees about what GM will do.
While GM's argument about tighter integration with vehicle data does have some merit, there is nothing preventing the company from offering users the option of using either the built-in system or CarPlay/Android Auto, as is the case in millions of vehicles on the road today.
Apple's next-generation CarPlay
It also appears the argument could largely become moot with the next-generation version of CarPlay teased by Apple at WWDC 2022, which integrates very closely with vehicle systems and expands the CarPlay experience across the entire dashboard. We should learn more about next-generation CarPlay and see the first vehicles introduced with it later this year, but GM is not included in the list of over a dozen brands announced by Apple as partners on the feature.
A few weeks ago, ESR launched a Kickstarter campaign for a new 100W 6-in-1 Charging Station, offering support for charging an iPhone via MagSafe, Apple Watch with fast charging, and AirPods, plus three additional ports (two USB-C and one USB-A) for charging additional devices. The campaign runs through September 1, and ESR recently sent me a preview unit to test out.
While my review unit arrived in a plain white box with no manuals or other documentation, ESR says the unit itself is identical to the final production units, so it should be reflective of what campaign backers will see when shipments begin in October.
My initial impression of the 6-in-1 Charging Station is that it's a bit on the large side, but perhaps that shouldn't be unexpected considering the number of devices it supports and the fact that all of the hardware is built into the base of the charger with only a removable 6-foot standard power cord rather than requiring a separate bulky power adapter. But if you've got enough room on your nightstand or desk, the bulk shouldn't be a major issue.
The charging station is made primarily of a relatively plain "Arctic White" matte plastic, although I would have preferred a black or gray color to blend in a bit more and perhaps be a little less prone to picking up smudges and other dirt over time. The only exceptions to the white color theme are the arms for the iPhone and Apple Watch chargers, which are a matte silver color that offers a nice bit of visual interest.
The overall design is fairly simple with a bit of tiering going on, starting with a baseplate that tapers toward the bottom, making it look thinner than it really is. The left side of the plate includes the arm of the MagSafe phone charger and a depression for AirPods charging, while the right side includes a second tier of the base where more of the charging hardware is housed, with the Apple Watch charging arm sticking up out of that. The three USB ports are located along the right side of the baseplate, which can be a positive or a negative for cable routing depending on your setup.
The phone sits up fairly high on the charging arm, which gives plenty of clearance for slipping AirPods into their charging spot below, but could also lead to setup challenges if you're planning to use it on a desk in front of a display, for example. When mounted on the charger, the top of my iPhone 14 Pro Max is about 9.25 inches above the desk or table surface, compared to several other MagSafe multi-device chargers I've used over the years that put the phone height more typically in the range of 6 inches to 7.5 inches.
The MagSafe charger includes ESR's "CryoBoost" technology, which includes a fan surrounding the MagSafe charging surface that's intended to keep your device cooler, allowing it to maintain maximum charging speed rather than having to ramp down the wattage to prevent damage from overheating.
In my testing with a phone not in active use, I didn't find any difference in speeds when charging an unattended iPhone 14 Pro Max from 20% to 90% compared to using Apple's MagSafe charger, with both chargers taking around 85 minutes. That's better than some other third-party MagSafe chargers, so it's good to see ESR's charging hitting maximum performance.
Where CryoBoost does make a difference is if you're trying to simultaneously charge and use your iPhone for watching video or using other apps that generate more heat. For example, leaving a fairly battery-intensive idle game running on my phone saw ESR's charger able to boost the battery level from 20% to 91% over a period of two hours, while the phone remained fairly cool. Trying the same thing with Apple's first-party MagSafe Charger saw the battery level only reach 57% over the same time period while the charger and phone became quite warm.
The CryoBoost fan is pretty quiet, and even at night in a quiet room with it on my nightstand I could barely hear it over the sound of crickets outside. But if you're in a particularly quiet environment and the fan noise is too much for you, you can easily turn it off by hitting a button on the charging base next to the AirPods charging spot. Otherwise you can consider it just a bit of white noise.
I did need to use that button nightly, but not for the fan. The charger also includes a blue LED light around the MagSafe pad that lights up while your device is charging. It's kind of a cool effect, but it can be distracting in a dark room when you're trying to sleep. That button on the base turns off both the light and fan, but it's not a permanent solution as you'll have to hit it each time you dock your phone.
The AirPods charging spot includes some magnets, so if you have an AirPods model with MagSafe in the charging case, it'll snap right into place on the charger, which is nice. There's an LED on the front of the baseplate that lets you know the AirPods are charging and blinks if they're not quite seated properly on the charger. It's tiny and quite dim, so it's a nice balance that provides the necessary information while I didn't find it to be distracting at night.
When it comes to the Apple Watch charging functionality, ESR says it supports Apple's fast-charging standard for Series 7, Series 8, and Ultra, and I did find that to be the case. ESR's charger took just 40–45 minutes to charge my Apple Watch Ultra from 20% to 80%, right in line with Apple's first-party USB-C Apple Watch fast charging cable. That's faster than the ~60-minute times I've seen with some other third-party chargers that claim to support fast charging and other tests sometimes approaching three hours with standard-speed chargers.
Moving on to the additional USB ports, I mentioned in my initial coverage of the Kickstarter launch that things get a bit complicated in terms of available power, simply because there is a maximum of 100 watts available to all devices being charged on the station. So if everything is in use, you'll only get 40 watts to the first USB-C port, 20 watts to the second USB-C port, and 5 watts to the USB-A port, with the remaining power going to the iPhone/AirPods/Apple Watch chargers. But if you only have a single device connected to one of the USB-C ports, you can get up to the full 100 watts delivered to that device.
What all of that boils down to is that you may not want to use this charging station to keep a MacBook Pro charged up while also trying to recharge or power other devices, although a MacBook Air should be okay. If you've got an iPad or a Nintendo Switch or other accessories that need charging, this will work just fine.
ESR's Kickstarter campaign quickly blew past its modest initial goal and has already raised roughly $200,000 in pledges from over 1,000 backers. The limited Super Early Bird pricing has already run out, but the Early Bird tier remains available with discounted pricing of around $154, compared to the future retail price of $179. Shipping is an additional $10, and all orders are planned to be shipped in October.
Other Options
For those interested in other certified MagSafe charging options, ESR has also recently launched a 25W 3-in-1 Wireless Charger that is essentially the same general design as the 6-in-1 station but without the extra USB ports and without some of the extra bulk needed to support them.
25W 3-in-1 Wireless Charger
As with the 6-in-1 station, ESR says the CryoBoost technology in the 3-in-1 charger significantly cuts down on charging time under load, with an iPhone 14 Pro being charged to full in just over three hours while a video is being played, compared to a traditional Apple-certified MagSafe charger which took four-and-a-half hours to get the phone to 80% before stopping due to heat. The 25W 3-in-1 Wireless Charger is normally priced at $119.99 on Amazon, but there's currently a 10% off on-page coupon that can be combined with a MacRumors-exclusive 10% off promo code ESRPR10OFF to bring the price down to $95.99.
And for use in the car, there's a 15W MagSafe Car Charger with CryoBoost that clips onto your car's air vent and includes a USB-C cable and a 40-watt dual USB-C car adapter. With ESR's CryoBoost technology included, the company says it has shown significant improvement in charging speeds compared to other chargers when used under load.
15W MagSafe Car Charger with CryoBoost
Independent testing has shown the CryoBoost charger can charge an iPhone 14 Pro to full in just over two hours while using a navigation app, while a traditional MagSafe charger spent eight hours charging the device before giving up at 94% due to overheating. The 15W MagSafe Car Charger is normally priced at $99.99 on Amazon, but with a $5 on-page coupon and a MacRumors-exclusive 10% off promo code ESRPR10OFF, you can bring the price down to $84.99. If you prefer to order direct from ESR, discount code affj20 will drop the price to $87.99 there.
Note: ESR provided MacRumors with the 100W 6-in-1 Charging Station for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. MacRumors is an affiliate partner with ESR and Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss Apple's next event, which is rumored to see the unveiling of the iPhone 15 lineup, Apple Watch Series 9, and second-generation Apple Watch Ultra.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple's next event will likely take place on Tuesday, September 12, followed by the launch of new devices on Friday, September 22. The event is expected to take place with a similar format to last year's iPhone unveiling, involving an in-person component with members of the media invited to Apple Park, a pre-recorded video presentation, and hands-on time with Apple's new products afterwards.
With just over a month to go until then, we discuss our expectations of the iPhone 15 lineup and some of the latest rumors about the devices, including a potential 2TB storage option for the Pro models. We also talk through the significance of the S9 chip as the Apple Watch Series 9 and second-generation Apple Watch Ultra's main upgrade and what else we could see announced at the event, such as new accessories with USB-C ports.
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with GRID Studio to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a 256GB iPhone 14 Pro. GRID Studio is a company that purchases old, discarded Apple electronics, tears them apart, and turns them into works of art for Apple fans.
Each of GRID's art pieces includes a deconstructed Apple device with the components displayed underneath a glass frame. Labels make it clear what each part of the device was used for, and interesting and relevant historical facts and details are also added for context.
A vintage Apple device with all of its components artfully arranged makes great decor for an office space, living room, or workshop, and the simple style blends in with a range of decorating styles. GRID Studio has a range of different options, with prices that start at $40 and go up based on the complexity of the piece.
The GRID 1 is one of GRID Studio's most popular options, as it showcases the first iPhone that Apple ever made. Available for $400, the GRID 1 showcases the internal components that Apple used for the original iPhone. Each component is separated and labeled, so you can see the entire makeup of the iPhone at a glance.
The iPhone's shell is positioned next to the power button, headphone socket, speaker, logic board, ear piece, and other components. Note that GRID doesn't include the original batteries from the device because of the risk of fire, but replicas are available.
Another iconic device is featured in the GRID 4, which is at its lowest price ever thanks to GRID Studio's back to school sale. Available for $99, the GRID 4 showcases Apple's iPhone 4, the first major iPhone redesign that Apple came out with. The GRID 4 features the iconic squared frame that the iPhone 4 is known for, complete with the poorly located antenna bands that spurred one of the biggest Apple "gates," antennagate.
GRID Studio doesn't just tear down iPhones. If you're an iPod fan, there's the $400 GRID iPod Classic, featuring the third-generation iPod that Apple released in 2003. The "iPod 3G" had the classic white color and the wheel design that made the iPod lineup famous. It's a true piece of history because Apple stopped selling iPods altogether in 2022.
For iPad fans, GRID has a deconstructed 2012 iPad mini available for $220. Featuring the first iPad mini that Apple made. The iPad mini was popular due to its small 7.9-inch size compared to the prior 9.7-inch iPads that Apple made available.
Along with Apple devices, GRID Studio sells deconstructed Android phones, disassembled Nintendo devices, and art featuring consoles from Sony and Microsoft. GRID Studio is hosting a back to school sale this week, and through August 17, the GRID 4 is available for $99. All other devices can be bought at a 15 percent discount using the code "M15."
We have a (fully assembled) 256GB iPhone 14 Pro for one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner(s) and send the prize(s). You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page.
Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.
The contest will run from today (August 11) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on August 18. The winner will be chosen randomly on or shortly after August 18 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.
This week we saw a good number of deals on various iPads, with the best sales coming from the previous generation M1 iPad Pro at Woot. In addition to the tablet discounts, you can get the AirPods Pro 2 for $50 off on Amazon.
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.
M1 iPad Pro
What's the deal? Take up to 52 percent off M1 iPad Pro
Woot this week opened up a major sale on the previous generation M1 iPad Pro, providing as much as 52 percent off select tablets. Prices start at $659.99 for 11-inch (22 percent off) and at $859.99 for 12.9-inch (22 percent off), and include both Wi-Fi and cellular models. All tablets in this sale are in new condition and include a one year Apple warranty.
Amazon is still discounting the AirPods Pro 2 to their all-time low price of $199.00 as we end the week. This is $50 in savings on the earphones and the most consistent deal that we've tracked in 2023.
Amazon has $99 off the M1 iPad Air, and both 64GB and 256GB Wi-Fi models are on sale. You can also get the cellular versions of the tablet for as much as $119 off this week.
In another iPad-related deal, Amazon has up to $170 off the iPad mini 6 this week. You can get the 64GB Wi-Fi tablet for $399.99 ($99 off) and the 256GB cellular tablet for $629.00 ($170 off), the latter of which is an all-time low price.
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
Chinese display manufacturers are now bidding to supply Apple with OLED displays for the fourth-generation iPhone SE, ITHome reports.
Suppliers, including Tianma, are currently seeking to obtain orders from Apple for AMOLED panels suitable for the fourth-generation iPhone SE. Tianma would be a secondary supplier, since a bigger manufacturer like BOE is likely to take the lion's share of orders. Apple staff responsible for panel procurement reportedly visited several major OLED panel factories in China in the first half of 2023 in relation to the iPhone SE.
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the fourth-generation iPhone SE will feature a 6.1-inch OLED display with a design similar to the iPhone 14. It is also expected to sport Apple's long-rumored custom 5G modem. The device is not expected to launch until 2025.
Apple is sunsetting its long-running iTunes Movie Trailers app as it begins hosting movie trailers exclusively in the company's flagship TV app, MacRumors can report.
Hints of Apple's plan first emerged on August 9, when MacRumors discovered a non-linked banner on the iTunes Movie Trailers website that reads "Apple TV app is the new home of iTunes Movie Trailers." The same banner has since started showing up on both of Apple's iOS and tvOS apps of the same name.
Then last night, some Apple TV users in the United States reported seeing a new section in the TV app titled "Watch the Latest Trailers," with a main selection card showing the original iTunes Movie Trailers logo, but titled "Movie & TV Trailers."
The new section in the TV app is not yet showing for users in the United Kingdom, and possibly elsewhere, and when iPhone and iPad users in the U.K. tap the banner in the original iTunes Movie Trailers app they are bounced back to the app, suggesting Apple has not yet completed its rollout of the merge.
Regardless, the writing appears to be on the wall for the iTunes Movie Trailers app, which hasn't been updated in five years. The free app was launched on iOS in October 2011 in the U.S., offering iPhone and iPad users easy access to Apple's library of movie trailers. Closing the app is likely part of Apple's strategy to gradually wind down the iTunes branding and bring all of its video content under the same umbrella.
It's not entirely clear what this means for Apple's iTunes Movie Trailers website, which is still sporting some archaic interface elements that don't at all align with Apple's modern web design.
The site has been hosted on apple.com since the late 1990s and was originally titled "Quicktime Movie Trailers," to showcase Apple's QuickTime software and its ability to host downloadable movie trailers online at high resolution – higher than many Hollywood movie studios could achieve – in the days before YouTube.
iOS 17 doesn't just add new features to the iPhone - it also brings new functionality to the AirPods. Most of what's new is for the AirPods Pro 2, but there are a few additions that are for all AirPods.
Adaptive Audio
Adaptive Audio, or Adaptive Noise Control, is an AirPods Pro 2 feature that combines Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency into one all-in-one mode that's designed to adjust the volume of what's playing based on what's around you and your interactions throughout the day.
Noise control shifts to drown out environmental sounds that you don't want to hear like the noise of an airplane, while making sure that you don't miss anything you might want to hear like someone speaking.
With AirPods Pro 2 that have updated firmware, activating Adaptive Audio can be done by connecting the AirPods, opening Control Center, long pressing on the volume, and selecting the "Adaptive" option that joins Transparency and Noise Cancellation.
Conversation Awareness
Conversation Awareness is part of Adaptive Audio. It is able to detect when someone is speaking, lowering the volume of the media and cutting down on background noise. This feature also enhances the voices in front of you so you can hear what's going on.
Personalized Volume
Also part of Adaptive Audio, Personalized Volume adjusts the sound of what's playing based on personal preferences and the sounds around you. The iPhone is able to learn more about the volume that you prefer over time, tweaking as necessary to match your desired sound level.
Mute and Unmute
If you press the stem of the AirPods Pro or third-generation AirPods, you can mute and unmute yourself while you're on a call. This also works on AirPods Max if you press the Digital Crown.
Automatic Device Switching
The AirPods Pro 2 can automatically switch between Apple devices much quicker in iOS 17.
Dark Mode
In a small but notable change, when you connect AirPods to an iPhone with Dark Mode enabled, the connection popup will also be in Dark Mode.
Usage Notes
Note that a firmware update is required to use these features, and in the case of Adaptive Audio, it is only available for the AirPods Pro 2. The new firmware that enables this functionality was released in September 2023.
The iPhone 14's Emergency SOS via Satellite feature played an important role in the rescue of a family in Maui that became trapped by the wildfires spreading across the region.
Twitter user Michael Miraflor said that five people related to his brother's girlfriend were caught in a vehicle in Maui after the wildfires surrounded them. There was no cell service available at their location, so they used Emergency SOS to communicate with first responders.
Miraflor shared a screenshot of the entire Emergency SOS text chain, giving us a look at the local fire department and dispatchers in action. The family was located at the Outlets of Maui, a shopping mall in Lahaina where the fires are located.
My brother’s girlfriend’s cousin and his family were caught in their vehicle in Maui while the wildfires suddenly erupted around them.
No cell service, so Apple Emergency SOS was the only way they could get in contact with first responders. Literally saved their lives. pic.twitter.com/PpxNwTGOAf
— Michael J. Miraflor (@michaelmiraflor) August 10, 2023
In the text thread, the family's location is relayed to the dispatcher, and they're able to communicate that they are surrounded by fire with no visibility and no way out due to blocked roads. Within 30 minutes, fire crews were able to reach the family and safely evacuated them thanks to the Emergency SOS via Satellite feature.
The wildfires in Hawaii have been devastating, resulting in the deaths of at least 36 people. Strong winds have been driving the fires, and the town of Lahaina, where the family was trapped, was largely destroyed.
Apple's Emergency SOS via Satellite feature is available across all iPhone 14 models, and it has so far been responsible for saving multiple lives and getting people in remote locations help. Emergency SOS via Satellite is available in areas where there is no WiFi or no cellular connectivity, and so far, Apple has made it available as a free service.
The macOS Ventura 13.5 update that Apple released on July 24 has introduced a bug that affects location services.
Since July, there have been complaints from macOS Ventura users who updated to the new software and then were unable to access and control location permissions for first and third-party apps.
Under System Settings > Privacy and Security > Location Services, macOS Ventura 13.5 has no apps listed. Users are not able to toggle location services for apps on or off, nor can they see which apps have access to their location information at the current time.
If a newly installed app attempts to request location services, there is no option to enable it for that app, which limits the functionality of some apps that Mac users are attempting to access. The location bug has been present since macOS Ventura 13.5 was released, but it has gone under the radar, perhaps because a limited number of Mac apps request location access.
There is no fix for this bug and workarounds that users have tried have not helped. Apple will need to issue an update to macOS to restore the privacy settings to their original state.
There are no location services issues with the prior macOS Ventura 13.4 update nor with macOS Sonoma.
Early production operations for Apple's custom microLED displays indicate that the technology is headed to a broad range of products, including headsets, iPhones, and automotive applications, Taiwanese research firm TrendForce reports.
TrendForce also repeated their claim from last month that Apple's first microLED display will launch on a new Apple Watch Ultra model in 2026, rather than 2025, due to supply chain adjustments. The microLED display is expected to be 2.12-inches in size, a 10% increase over the display of the current Apple Watch Ultra.
In January, Bloomberg's Mark Gurmanreported Apple is likely planning to bring custom microLED displays to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac after the technology debuts in a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra. He believes Apple's long-term plan is to bring microLED displays to all of its key products, but it could be a decade before it emerges in the Mac owing to the complexity of the technology at this early stage. For comparison, Gurman noted that the iPhone will have had OLED displays for over six years by the time they are expected to come to the iPad. Other reports from DigiTimes, Nikkei Asia, and The Information have indicated similar plans for Apple to transition to custom microLED displays across multiple product lines in an effort to become less reliant on Samsung.
Apple is believed to have spent more than six years developing microLED technology for what will become the first display custom-designed by the company itself, mirroring its work on Apple silicon. Apple reportedly kicked off the current form of its microLED project, codenamed T159, around 2017. At an earlier stage, it even wanted to introduce the technology with the iPhone X. The advanced display offers improved brightness, color reproduction, and viewing angles, making images look more like they are "painted" atop the display glass, and replace parts currently supplied by companies like Samsung and LG.
Amazon today has a few deals on the 2023 MacBook Pro lineup, including all-time low prices on 14-inch and 16-inch models.
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.
14-Inch
The best deal this week on the 14-inch MacBook Pro can be found on the 12-core M2 Pro/1TB model at Amazon, priced at $2,199.00, down from $2,499.00. This is the cheapest we've ever seen this model, and it has an estimated delivery date of August 14 through the 21.
Amazon also has the 10-core M2 Pro/512GB model for $1,749.99, down from $1,999.00, but there is a shipping caveat for this notebook. Both colors are delayed into September as of writing, with the earliest delivery date set for September 8.
This is an all-time low price, so if you've been waiting for a discount, and don't mind waiting a little bit longer, it could be a good idea to lock in this deal today. Right now, only Amazon has the sale.
16-Inch
Moving to the larger notebooks, Amazon has the 12-core M2 Pro/512GB 16-inch MacBook Pro for $2,249.00 in both colors, down from $2,499.00. This one is also facing dwindling stock, so be sure to place your order soon if you're interested. B&H Photo is matching this deal, which is an all-time low price.
Lastly, the 12-core M2 Pro/1TB 16-inch MacBook Pro is on sale for $2,449.00, down from $2,699.00. This one is only available in Silver and Amazon has an estimated delivery date of August 16. B&H Photo is matching this deal, which is a record low price.
Apple supplier LG has reportedly purchased multiple patents that could help it produce the displays for Apple's rumored next-generation Apple Watch Ultra model with a microLED display.
The Elec reports that the patents purchased from a Taiwanese company have to do with the "transfer printing process" in microLED, as well as microLED technologies related to stacking, touch control sensing, AR, VR, and HUD.
The transfer printing process is said to be one of the most challenging aspects of the technology because the process involves planting chips that are a few micrometers (μm) to several dozen nanometers in size into their correct positions.
The small size of the chips makes execution difficult, while the low yield of the transcription process requires a repair process to replace defective microLEDs, all of which leads to higher costs.
Despite this, LG's purchase of the microLED patents is said to be a reflection of its willingness to improve the profitability of microLED production. LG is already constructing a small production line to supply Apple with microLED displays destined for an Apple Watch model. Opening in the second half of 2024, the facility will reportedly supply microLED backplanes and assemble Apple's displays.
Information shared in April by display analyst Ross Young suggested that an Apple Watch Ultra with microLED display would launch in the second half of 2025 at the earliest, rather than late 2024 as was originally rumored.
However, a July report by TrendForce claims it has been postponed for a second time and is unlikely to emerge before the first quarter of 2026, due to problems relating to high manufacturing costs which need to be solved before Apple can proceed to mass production.
The current Apple Watch Ultra uses standard OLED technology, whereas microLED offers many of the benefits of OLED along with some improvements.
Compared to LED displays, microLED is much more energy efficient and it would likely notably increase battery life on the Apple Watch Ultra and other devices that adopt the technology in the future. Unlike OLED, there's much less risk of screen burn-in, and microLEDs have a longer potential lifetime.
MicroLED displays also provide contrast improvements and faster response times because of the pixel-level individual lights, plus the color is better and brighter. In a nutshell, it's a next-generation technology superior to OLED and miniLED.
The Apple Watch Ultra is expected to be the first Apple device to adopt a microLED display, due to the small screen and pixel density of smartwatches. Apple is said to be planning to adopt the technology in smartphones, AR devices, and other devices in the future.
References to four unreleased iPhone models have been found in tvOS 17 by code delver @aaronp613, and the model numbers appear to confirm Apple's chip choices for the devices.
Apple added references to identifiers that include iPhone15,4, iPhone15,5, iPhone16,1, and iPhone16,2 in the first beta of tvOS 17 and they stuck around for several betas before Apple noticed and pulled them out in beta 5. The numbering fits with rumors that Apple will use the 3nm A17 chip for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, while the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus get the same A16 chip used in the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max.
15,4 and 15,5 are in the same sequence as the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, which are iPhone15,2 and iPhone15,3, respectively. Apple uses the "15" to denote devices with the A16 chip. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, for example, are iPhone14,7 and iPhone14,8 because they're using the A15.
So because the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will get the A16 chip already used in the 14 Pro and Pro Max, the 15,4 and 15,5 likely reference these two devices. 16,1 and 16,2 will be the first iPhones with a new chip, aka the rumored A17, so these model numbers likely refer to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
4 unreleased iPhone models were added in tvOS 17 beta 1 but were not noticed until now. They were removed in tvOS 17 beta 5:
iPhone15,4 iPhone15,5 iPhone16,1 iPhone16,2 https://t.co/pL1OnAOQZX
— Aaron (@aaronp613) August 9, 2023
Aaron also found references to an iPhone14,1 and an iPhone 14,9, devices that would have an A15 chip. It is not clear if these are significant or even reference devices that are coming in the future. iPhone14,1 in particular is curious as Apple has already used the iPhone 14,2 through iPhone 14,8 identifiers.
We've heard multiple rumors about Apple's plans to use the A16 chip for the standard iPhone 15 models and the A17 chip for the iPhone 15 Pro models, so the code findings are no major surprise. Apple is planning to introduce the new iPhone models in just under a month, with rumors suggesting they will be unveiled at a September 12 event.
Apple today released a new update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser Apple first introduced in March 2016. Apple designed the Safari Technology Preview to test features that may be introduced into future release versions of Safari.
Safari Technology Preview 176 includes fixes and updates for CSS, Rendering, Accessibility, Media, and Web API.
The update now features content coming in Safari 17 alongside macOS Sonoma. On Sonoma, the browser offers Profiles for separating browsing data like History and Favorites, web apps, and improved private browsing mode. Features for all operating systems include Feature Flags (replacing Experimental Features), a redesigned Develop menu, Live Text support for vertical text recognition in images and videos, HEIC support, and JPEG XL, a new image format with an improved compression algorithm for better image quality at smaller file sizes than JPEG.
The current Safari Technology Preview release is compatible with machines running macOS Ventura and macOS Sonoma, the latest version of macOS that Apple is beta testing right now.
The Safari Technology Preview update is available through the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences or System Settings to anyone who has downloaded the browser. Full release notes for the update are available on the Safari Technology Preview website.
Apple's aim with Safari Technology Preview is to gather feedback from developers and users on its browser development process. Safari Technology Preview can run side-by-side with the existing Safari browser and while designed for developers, it does not require a developer account to download.
Disney is planning to raise the price of its ad-free Disney+ and Hulu streaming services starting on October 12, the company said today during an earnings call (via CNBC). The ad-free Disney+ plan will be priced at $13.99 per month, while the ad-free Hulu plan will be priced at $17.99 per month.
Right now, ad-free Disney+ is $10.99 per month, while ad-free Hulu is priced at $14.99 per month. When Disney+ launched three years ago, Disney was charging $6.99, so the price for ad-free access has more than doubled.
Disney is planning to offer an ad-free bundle that includes Hulu and Disney+ for $19.99 per month, which is a $12 discount from the separate pricing. That happens to be the current price of the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN bundle, which will be going up to $24.99 per month. The Hulu and Disney+ bundle is not yet available, but will presumably be launching in October when the price increase is implemented.
The price of Disney's ad-supported plans will not be changing. Disney+ with ads will continue to be $7.99 per month, which is the same price as the Hulu with ads plan. The ad-supported bundle will be $9.99 per month.
In addition to raising the cost of its streaming plans, Disney is also planning to put a stop to password sharing, following in the footsteps of Netflix. Disney CEO Bob Iger said that Disney will "roll out tactics" to end password sharing starting in 2024.
The pricing increases and the crackdown on password sharing come after a $512 million loss for Disney's streaming division in the third fiscal quarter of 2023, which is better than the $1.1 billion loss from the year-ago quarter. Disney has over 105 million Disney+ subscribers, adding 800,000 subscribers during the quarter.
Apple today provided the third beta of the upcoming macOS Sonoma update to its public beta testing group, allowing non-developers to test the new operating system ahead of its fall launch. The new beta comes two weeks after Apple released the second beta.
Public beta testers can download the macOS 14 Sonoma update from the Software Update section of the System Preferences app after signing up on Apple's beta testing website and opting into the public beta under the Beta Updates section.
macOS Sonoma introduces interactive widgets for the desktop, making widgets more useful and more prominent. You can even use your iPhone widgets on your Mac's desktop through a new Continuity feature.
There are updated screensavers that are similar to the high-resolution animated screensavers available on the Apple TV, and for video calls and presenting, there's a Presenter Overlay option that lets you move, walk, and talk in front of content you're sharing from your Mac.
Safari supports web apps so you can add your favorite websites to your Dock, plus there are new Profiles to separate your work browsing and personal browsing. iCloud Keychain supports sharing passwords with others, and private browsing windows are locked when they are not in use.
Enhanced AutoFill is available for PDFs so you can quickly fill in information like names, addresses, and emails, plus users can collaborate on PDFs and see real-time updates through the Notes app.
For more on what's new in macOS Sonoma, including a new Game mode, we have a detailed macOS Sonoma roundup that highlights all of the features in the update.
Apple today seeded the third betas of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 to public beta testers, allowing non-developers to test the software ahead of its launch. The third betas come two weeks after the second betas. The third public beta features the same content that's in the fifth developer beta.
Public beta testers who have signed up for Apple's beta testing program can download the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 updates by opening up the Settings app, going to General, tapping on the Software Update section and toggling on the iOS 17 Public Beta option.
iOS 17 adds a new StandBy option for the iPhone, allowing it to serve as an information hub when it is in a horizontal position and connected to a charger. StandBy mode displays the time, Live Activities, incoming notifications, and tons of widgets.
Speaking of widgets, widgets you use on the Lock Screen and Home Screen are interactive, so you can do things like control a smart light or check off a Reminder without opening an app. Autocorrect is smarter than before, and it's easier to correct mistakes with a quick tap.
AirDrop has a new NameDrop feature for quickly sharing contact information with a person nearby, and the Phone app has customizable Contact Posters that let you choose what people see when you call them.
Live Voicemail shows the voicemail that someone is leaving right on your Lock Screen so you can pick up if it's important, and the Messages app has a refined look and a Check-In feature that's meant to help you get to your destination safely.
FaceTime supports video messages so you can leave a video voicemail if someone misses a call, plus you can use it on the Apple TV. Safari has a locked private browsing window and a password sharing feature, and better tracking prevention. The Maps app now works offline, the Photos app can recognize your pets, and Visual Look Up works with food, symbols, videos, and more.
There's a new mood tracking feature available in the Health app, and later this year, Apple also plans to add a journaling app.
Apple's next-generation CarPlay
25W 3-in-1 Wireless Charger
15W MagSafe Car Charger with CryoBoost
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