Suppliers for the upcoming iPhone 14 reportedly feel uncertain about how high demand will be for Apple's upcoming flagship lineup, according to supply chain sources speaking to DigiTimes.
A paywalled preview of a full story set to be published tomorrow says "uncertainty remains about demand for the new models between the end of the fourth quarter and the beginning of first-quarter 2023." Apple and its suppliers have been ramping up shipments of components ahead of mass production, which is expected to begin later this month.
Despite suppliers' uncertain sentiment, Apple is expecting the iPhone 14 series to perform quite well. Just last week, it was reported that Apple had informed suppliers to increase iPhone 14 shipments by 5% to 95 million units, higher than what the company was initially expecting.
One reason suppliers may feel uncertain about demand is a reported increase in the price of the higher-end models of the iPhone 14 lineup. Reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reported that the price of the iPhone 14 lineupmay increase, possibly due to both models starting with an increased 256GB of storage.
Other than a possible price increase, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are expected to gain several noteworthy features, including a 48MP camera, a new pill-shaped and hole-punch display cutout, better performance, and more. Learn more about the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro using our respective roundups.
Today we're tracking a pair of discounts on the AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro, and both deals are in stock and ready to ship from 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.
AirPods 2
Starting with the AirPods 2, you can get the headphones for $99.99, down from $129.00. This is the second-best price that we've tracked on the AirPods 2 in 2022, following the record low discount we saw during Prime Day.
This is the model of AirPods that comes with the Wired Charging Case. Apple discontinued the AirPods 2 with the Wireless Charging Case so we haven't seen any notable deals on that accessory in months.
AirPods Pro with MagSafe
Secondly, Amazon has the AirPods Pro with MagSafe Charging Case for $179.99, down from $249.00. This is the second-best price we've ever tracked on the new AirPods Pro.
The headphones are in stock today, and they are shipped and sold directly by Amazon. The new AirPods Pro launched in 2021, and are essentially the same as the 2019 model with the addition of the new MagSafe Charging Case.
We track sales for every model of the AirPods in our Best AirPods Deals guide, so be sure to bookmark that page while you shop around for the wireless headphones.
Telegram's CEO, Pavel Durov, is lashing out against Apple over the company's "obscure" App Store review process that is delaying Telegram from releasing an update to its app that will "revolutionize how people express themselves in messaging."
In his Telegram channel, Durov says that an update to Telegram for iOS that will change how people communicate has been stuck in Apple's App Store review process for over two weeks, with no communication from the company over why or when it will be approved. Durov points out that if an app as popular as Telegram receives this treatment, one can "imagine the difficulties experienced by smaller app developers."
For example, our upcoming update – which is about to revolutionize how people express themselves in messaging – has been stuck in Apple's "review" for two weeks, without explanation or any feedback provided by Apple.
If Telegram, one of the top 10 most popular apps globally, is receiving this treatment, one can only imagine the difficulties experienced by smaller app developers. It's not just demoralizing: it causes direct financial losses to hundred of thousands of mobile apps globally.
Durov, a vocal critic of Apple and its App Store in the past, points out the controversial "Apple tax," which gives Apple a 30% cut of certain in-app purchases from eligible apps that make over $1 million annually. Durov calls Apple's behavior "abusive" and says that damage inflicted by the company "can't be undone."
This harm goes on top of the 30% tax Apple and Google take from app developers – which, according to them, is supposed to pay for the resources needed to review apps. The regulators in the EU and elsewhere are slowly starting to look into these abusive practices. But the economic damage that has already been inflicted by Apple on the tech industry won't be undone.
It's unclear why Apple is delaying Telegram's app update from reaching the millions of Telegram users. Most apps are typically reviewed fairly quickly, so the long wait in this instance is particularly interesting. Telegram is one of the most popular messaging services on the App Store, competing with the likes of WhatsApp, Instagram, Signal, and Apple's iMessage service.
On its website, Apple says, "every week, over 500 dedicated experts around the world review over 100K apps," adding that over 1 million submissions are rejected.
Update: Telegram's update has since been approved on the App Store, with the exception of new animated versions of Apple's emoji called Telemoji that Telegram had planned to release. Apple's App Store Review Guidelines do not allow apps to replicate Apple's emoji.
Sonos announced its third quarter earnings this week, during which it all but confirmed that its long-awaited Sub Mini subwoofer won't be coming as soon as originally planned.
Leaked in May by The Verge, the Sub Mini is a small cylindrical subwoofer that is expected to be more affordable than the current $749 Sonos Sub. The Sub Mini will wirelessly pair with the company's existing soundbar lineup, including the Ray, the second-generation Beam, and the Arc.
A month after the leak, the Sub Mini appeared on the FCC in June, suggesting the wait between filing and commercial release would follow Sonos' typical timeline. But it looks as if the Sub Mini has been delayed until the first fiscal quarter of 2023.
A Sonos spokesperson confirmed the news to The Verge in an email, saying "I can confirm we decided to push an anticipated product launch from Q4 '22 into Q1 '23." That puts the subwoofer's release to sometime between October and December.
Sonos reported lower than expected revenue in its Q3 earnings report, pointing to high inflation and the U.S. dollar's appreciation as factors that have adversely affected consumer demand for its electronics category. Sonos said it is holding onto more inventory than it would like and is facing a "challenging Q4."
Samsung yesterday announced its latest flagship foldable phone, the Galaxy Fold 4. The new foldable is the company's fourth foldable handset and comes just weeks before Apple plans to announce the iPhone 14.
The Fold 4, compared to last year's Fold 3, has minor tweaks and improvements to build quality, display, user interface, and cameras. Here we've compared five Galaxy Fold 4 features with new features expected for the upcoming iPhone 14.
New Display Material
The Galaxy Fold 4 utilizes Samsung's latest display technology and the company's M12 material set. The new display material, compared to past generations, offers richer colors and improved brightness.
According to a report from The Elec, that same material set is rumored to be used for the upcoming iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max displays. The lower-end models of the iPhone 14 will stick with the M11 material set.
Other than the benefits offered by the new display material, no other display tech changes are rumored for this year's upcoming iPhone. Apple introduced ProMotion with support for up to 120Hz in the iPhone 13 Pro last year.
48MP Wide Camera
iPhone 14 Pro renders made by Ian Zelbo
The Galaxy Fold 4 features an improved main camera with a 50MP lens and f/1.8 aperture. Paired with improved on-device image processing, Samsung says the hardware and software changes will yield better quality images and videos.
The iPhone 14 Pro is rumored to be gaining some significant camera improvements, including a major boost in the main camera. Compared to the current 12MP wide camera on the highest-end iPhone, the iPhone 14 Pro is likely to feature a 48MP wide camera.
The iPhone 14 Pro will be capable of taking 48MP photos when lighting conditions are ideal, but when they're not, the iPhone will resort to a process known as pixel-binning to take 12MP images. The iPhone 14 Pro's wide camera is also said to be receiving a 21% larger sensor to provide more detail to photos and improved low light capabilities.
The iPhone 14 Pro is also rumored to be capable of recording 8K video, the first ever for an iPhone. The Galaxy Fold 4, like current iPhones, is capable of recording 4k at 60FPS.
WiFi 6E
Originally rumored for the iPhone 13, this year's iPhone 14 could be the first iPhone to feature the newer WiFi 6E standard. The new standard offers improved speed, range, and capacity on public networks.
The Galaxy Fold 3 was the first Galaxy Fold to support WiFi 6E, with the Galaxy Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 following suite. You can learn more about WiFi 6E and the improvements it offers here.
Faster Performance
iPhone 14 Pro renders made by Ian Zelbo
The Galaxy Fold 4 is powered by Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chips that are based on the 4nm fabrication process and can reach speeds of up to 3.2GHz. The iPhone 14 Pro will feature Apple's new and faster A16 Bionic chip.
Both the Galaxy Fold 4 and the iPhone 14 will be equally fast and speedy for the majority of customers and their day-to-day workflows. One difference, however, will be RAM. The Galaxy Fold 4 features 12GB of RAM that enables true multitasking on the device, while the iPhone 14 Pro, like current high-end iPhones, is expected to feature just half of that.
The RAM on the upcoming iPhone will feature LPDDR 5 type of memory, which is faster than previous models. This means that even with just 6GB of RAM coupled with iOS's memory management, the iPhone 14 Pro is likely to remain competitive with Samsung's 12GB of RAM offering.
Better Selfies
iPhone 14 Pro renders made by Ian Zelbo
On the outside display, the Galaxy Fold 4 has a 10MP selfie camera, and the inside features an under-the-display 4MP camera. Like the Galaxy Fold 4, the iPhone 14 will feature an upgraded front camera.
Rumors point to the iPhone 14's selfie camera being a "high-end" camera with a wider f/1.9 aperture and autofocus capabilities. The wider aperture will allow more light to pass through the lens to reach the sensor for sharper, crisper photos and improved depth of field.
Apple has stepped up its investment in original podcast content by signing an agreement with Pulitzer Prize-winning production company Futuro Studios, Bloomberg reports.
The deal with Futuro Studios, maker of the criminal-justice series "Suave," stipulates that Apple will fund development and production of podcasts, and then have the first option to turn them into a film or TV show for its Apple TV+ service.
Apple has ramped up its podcast production output over the past couple of years, generating spinoffs of some of its original television and movie content, such as the "For All Mankind" podcast, but also seeking to purchase original podcast programs that could tie into future TV+ shows.
Apple has discussed similar arrangements with other podcast production studios and spent up to $10 million on the push so far, according to Bloomberg. Apple has already financed a handful of popular podcasts, including true crime series "Hooked" and "The Line," with several tied in some way to its TV shows.
Apple is said to be using the podcast investment strategy as a relatively risk-free method of gauging interest in the material to determine whether it could become the foundation for a video series. The approach means Apple avoids having to spend potentially significantly more money to acquire rights to an established podcast in order to turn it into original video programming.
Apple's low-key plans contrast with Spotify's high-spending strategy of acquiring already-popular podcasts and making them exclusive to its streaming service. Spotify has been making inroads in the podcasting market over the course of the last few years, ramping up its original podcast offerings and making major acquisitions, as well as scoring key deals such as the rights to the popular Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
Disney today announced that it is increasing the cost of its ad-free Disney+ subscription by 38 percent, raising the price from $7.99 per month to $10.99 per month. This is the most significant price increase Disney has introduced since the 2019 launch of the service.
The price of the ad-free plan is increasing to $10.99 per month because Disney is also launching a new ad-supported tier that will be available for $7.99 per month. The price change and the new ad-supported streaming tier will go into effect on Thursday, December 8.
Disney will also increase the price of Hulu without ads by $2, so it will be $14.99 per month instead of $12.99, with that change being implemented on October 10. Hulu with ads will see a price increase too, going from $6.99 to $7.99 per month.
For current customers, the Disney+ bundle that includes Hulu and ESPN+ with ads will be $1 more expensive, going from $13.99 to $14.99. Disney will offer Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ with ads for $12.99, and a Disney+ and Hulu ad-supported bundle will be available for $9.99 per month. The current ad-free Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ plan will be priced at $19.99 per month.
Disney announced the pricing changes during its earnings announcement for the third fiscal quarter of 2022 [PDF]. Disney+ gained a total of 14.4 million subscribers during the quarter, and the company now has more than 221 million subscribers across its streaming platforms.
Two websites that provided download links for pre-release Apple software like iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, and tvOS 16 have shut down in recent weeks, including BetaProfiles.com and IPSW.dev. Both websites are no longer accessible.
In a tweet, BetaProfiles.com said it shut down to avoid a "legal battle with Apple," but it's not clear if the website (or IPSW.dev) actually received any threat of legal action from Apple or if the websites shut down on a precautionary basis. Apple, BetaProfiles.com, and IPSW.dev did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Hi everyone, I just wanted to say that BetaProfiles will be shutting down soon, I just don't want to get into a legal battle with Apple. BetaProfiles social media will remain as a place to discuss beta updates. Thanks guys so much ❤️
— Beta Profiles (@BetaProfiles) August 10, 2022
In addition, lawyers representing Apple at Kilpatrick Townsend Stockton LLP allegedly provided Twitter with a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown notice related to over a dozen tweets containing links to websites like IPSW.dev. The alleged notice claimed that the tweets infringed on Apple's proprietary beta software. All of the tweets listed are no longer visible "in response to a report from the copyright holder."
IPSW.dev provided users with access to IPSW files for the iOS 16 developer beta and other pre-release Apple software, with download links via Apple's servers, file sharing website WeTransfer, and torrents, while BetaProfiles.com provided links to both beta profiles and IPSW files. BetaProfiles.com said users must be enrolled in Apple's Developer Program in order to download the profiles, but users could avoid this warning.
Apple's developer betas are only intended for members of Apple's Developer Program, which costs $99 per year in the United States, and it appears that Apple is attempting to uphold this policy by cracking down on websites like BetaProfiles.com and IPSW.dev.
Update: When reached for comment, BetaProfiles.com said it received a letter from lawyers representing Apple and shut down the website to avoid potential litigation.
A new analysis of the Instagram app has suggested that every time a user clicks a link within the app, Instagram is capable of monitoring all of their interactions, text selections, and even text input, such as passwords and private credit card details within websites inside the app.
The analysis conducted by Felix Krause found that both Instagram and Facebook on iOS use their own in-app browser, rather than the one offered by Apple for third-party apps. Most apps use Apple's Safari for loading websites, but Instagram and Facebook have been using their own in-app browser to load websites within the app.
With their custom-built browser, still based on WebKit, Instagram and Facebook inject a tracking JavaScript code named "Meta Pixel" into all links and websites shown. With that code, Meta has total freedom to track users' interactions without their explicit consent, Krause finds.
This allows Instagram to monitor everything happening on external websites without the consent from the user, nor the website provider.
The Instagram app injects their tracking code into every website shown, including when clicking on ads, enabling them monitor all user interactions, like every button & link tapped, text selections, screenshots, as well as any form inputs, like passwords, addresses, and credit card numbers.
As Krause points out, it takes reasonable effort for companies like Meta to develop and maintain their own in-app browser rather than to use Apple's built-in Safari. On its developer portal, Meta claims "Meta Pixel" is designed to "track visitor activity on your website" by monitoring all events a user does within their custom-built browser. There is no evidence that Meta, which owns Instagram, has actively gathered the user data it's capable of collecting. As Krause writes:
Does Facebook actually steal my passwords, address and credit card numbers? No! I didn't prove the exact data Instagram is tracking, but wanted to showcase the kind of data they could get without you knowing. As shown in the past, if it's possible for a company to get access to data for free, without asking the user for permission, they will track it.
However, this practice is in violation of Apple's App Tracking Transparency (ATT) policy. ATT requires that all apps ask for user consent before tracking them across apps and websites owned by other companies.
Meta has repeatedly pushed back against Apple's goal of giving users a choice on whether or not they wish to be tracked. In December 2020, Meta took out a full-page newspaper ad attacking Apple for the change. Krause says he shared his findings with Meta, which responded by saying they've confirmed the "issue" but have not responded since. Krause says he gave Meta a two-week notice before deciding to go public with his findings.
Earlier today, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed iPhone 14 Pro models will be more expensive than iPhone 13 Pro models. Kuo did not reveal exact pricing, but he said that the average selling price of all four iPhone 14 models will increase by about 15% overall.
While higher prices would be disappointing for customers, it is possible the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will offer increased storage in return for the extra cost. In June, Taiwanese research firm TrendForce predicted that iPhone 14 Pro models could start with 256GB of storage, compared to 128GB for iPhone 13 Pro models. However, the chart said the storage amounts were still "TBD" at the time, so we'll have to wait and see.
In the United States, the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max start at $999 and $1,099 respectively with 128GB of storage. With around a 10% price increase, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max could start at $1,099 and $1,199 respectively, which would be the same prices as the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max with 256GB of storage. However, the exact price increases if any remain to be seen.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 14 lineup in September as usual. It's unclear if the standard iPhone 14 models would also see a price increase given they are still expected to have an A15 chip and lack many other upgrades rumored for the Pro models. A sketchy rumor claimed the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 will continue to start at $799.
One of iOS 16's most useful new features is Live Activities, which are essentially live notifications on the Lock Screen. The new feature will allow users to keep track of things happening in real time, such as the score of a sports game, the progress of an Uber ride, or the status of a food delivery order, right from the Lock Screen.
Live Activities will be available for NBA, MLB, and Premier League games in select countries, according to fine print on the iOS 16 features page. Apple says Live Activities for the NBA and Premier League games will be available in the U.S. and Canada, while Live Activities for MLB games will be available in a wider group of countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, U.K., Brazil, Mexico, Japan, and South Korea.
During its WWDC keynote in June, Apple also previewed Live Activities for the Uber and Nike Run Club apps, and Apple shows a Live Activity for Starbucks on its iOS 16 page. On the iOS 16 beta, there is also a Live Activity for timers set in the Clock app.
Live Activities will not be available in the initial public release of iOS 16. Apple says the feature will be added in an update coming later this year, which suggests that it could be included as part of iOS 16.1 or iOS 16.2. When the feature launches, developers will be able to submit apps with Live Activities to the App Store.
Last month, Apple released a new ActivityKit framework that allows developers to begin testing Live Activities in their apps. Apps with Live Activities integration can currently only be distributed via TestFlight for testing by iOS 16 beta users.
Apple is expected to release iOS 16 alongside the iPhone 14 in September. The software update is compatible with the iPhone 8 and newer.
Apple plans to increase the prices of iPhone 14 Pro models compared to iPhone 13 Pro models, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Kuo did not reveal exact pricing for the iPhone 14 Pro models. However, in a tweet today, he estimated that the average selling price of the iPhone 14 lineup as a whole will increase by about 15% compared to the iPhone 13 lineup.
In the United States, the iPhone 13 Pro starts at $999 and the iPhone 13 Pro Max starts at $1,099. If there were to be a 10% price increase to the Pro models, the iPhone 14 Pro could start at $1,099, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max could start at $1,199. However, the exact price increase for the Pro models remains to be seen.
(1/2) Hon Hai/Foxconn is one of the winners of the increased ASP of iPhone 14 series. I estimated iPhone 14 series ASP would increase by about 15% (vs. iPhone 13 series ASP) to $1,000-1,050 (USD) due to two iPhone 14 Pro's price hikes & higher shipment proportion. https://t.co/UgiW0kom4F
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) August 10, 2022
Increased prices could be due to inflation, the many new features expected for iPhone 14 Pro models, and other factors. It has also been predicted that iPhone 14 Pro models could start with an increased 256GB of storage, up from 128GB.
Amazon is discounting Apple's 64GB Wi-Fi iPad Air (2022) down to $559.00 in four colors, from $599.00. This deal has been applied automatically and does not require a coupon code.
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.
The 64GB Wi-Fi iPad Air is available in Blue, Pink, Purple, and Space Gray at this price, and Starlight is slightly higher at $569.99. We've tracked a better deal on the 2022 iPad Air earlier in the year, down to around $549, but today's deal on Amazon has been far more consistent of a sale and it's still a solid second-best price.
Apple updated the iPad Air lineup this past March, with the M1 chip, new color options, Touch ID, and a 10.9-inch edge-to-edge display. For even more iPad deals, head to our full Best Deals guide for iPad. In that guide we track the best discounts online for iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro.
Samsung today announced the launch of its next-generation foldable smartphones, including the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and the Galaxy Z Fold 4. Samsung has been producing foldable devices since 2019, so these new smartphones represent four years of development.
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 features a 120Hz 6.7-inch AMOLED display and it folds out vertically. When closed, there is a 1.9-inch AMOLED display for showing the time, notifications, and other at-a-glance information. There's a fingerprint sensor at the side for biometric authentication, and compared to the prior-generation model, the Z Flip 4 offers a more slimmed down hinge, straighter edges, and a glossy metal frae with a hazed back glass.
The Z Flip 4 features a dual rear camera setup with 12-megapixel wide-angle and ultra wide-angle cameras, along with a 10-megapixel front-facing selfie camera. A built-in "FlexCam" feature allows for hands-free video, group selfies, and more when the Z Flip 4 is partially folded, and selfies can be taken from the cover screen.
The Galaxy Z Fold has a 120Hz 7.6-inch AMOLED display that opens out like a book, and when closed, it has a 6.2-inch AMOLED display. There's a triple-lens camera setup that includes a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera, a 12-megapixel ultra wide camera, and a 10-megapixel telephoto camera that supports 30x Space Zoom, plus there's a 10-megapixel selfie camera and a 4-megapixel under display camera. The main camera features a 23 percent brighter sensor and enhanced processing power for improved images.
The Z Fold 4 is the first smartphone to ship with AndroidL, a version of Android designed for large-screen experiences. There is a new Taskbar that's designed to make multitasking simpler and more intuitive, and Samsung has partnered with Google and Microsoft to create apps that take better advantage of the screen space.
Both devices use Gorilla Glass Victus_ and Samsung's Armor Aluminum frames for durability. Inside, the two smartphones feature 5G connectivity and are equipped with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chips that can reach speeds of up to 3.2GHz, along with high-capacity batteries that support fast charging and Wireless PowerShare for charging other Qi-based accessories.
Other features include an IPX8 water resistance rating, WiFi 6E support, up to 12GB RAM and 1TB of storage, and Android 12 support.
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 is priced starting at $1,000, and the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is priced starting at $1,800. Pre-orders are available starting today, and customers who pre-order one of Samsung's new foldable smartphones will get a complimentary memory upgrade to double their storage space.
Samsung today is also announcing updated $230 Galaxy Buds 2 Pro with Hi-Fi 24bit Audio, a smaller design, and improved Active Noise Cancellation, plus new Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro devices.
The smart watches measure heart rate, blood oxygen level, and stress level, and support ECGs and temperature sensing, a feature rumored for the Apple Watch Series 8. Body composition, sleep tracking, and smart home integration are also included. The Galaxy Watch 5 and 5 Pro are priced starting at $280 and $450, respectively.
Apple has been granted a patent for a temperature sensor suitable for the Apple Watch, just weeks before the company is expected to unveil the Apple Watch Series 8 with body temperature sensing capabilities.
The newly granted patent, spotted by MyHealthyApple, was filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and is titled "Temperature gradient sensing in electronic devices." While the wording of the patent suggests that it can apply to any device, the only device depicted in the patent's illustrations is clearly the Apple Watch, potentially hinting what specific application Apple has in mind for the technology.
Apple's patent protects an electronic device housing that encloses a temperature sensing system comprising a temperature sensor and a differential temperature probe. The system works by calculating the difference between two ends of a probe. One end touches the surface to be measured, while the other is connected to a temperature sensor. The difference in voltage across the different ends of the probe can then be correlated to a differential temperature measurement.
The temperature probe is configured to generate a voltage corresponding to a temperature gradient between a first end of the probe and a second end of the probe. The temperature sensor can be disposed within an electronic device housing. A first end of the probe can be coupled to the temperature sensor and a second end of the probe can be coupled to any suitable surface, whether internal or external, of the electronic device... In this construction, the temperature sensor can be configured to measure a temperature, at any given sampling time or sampling rate, of any surface or volume to which the sensing surface is exposed.
The patent goes on to explain in technical detail how the temperature sensing hardware works. Crucially, while the patent covers how a dedicated temperature sensor could be used inside a device to monitor the temperature of a component like the processor, it says that the sensor can be used to measure "absolute temperature" of an external surface, such as skin.
Most notably, Apple explicitly mentions how the location of the external probe may be located on a "back surface such as a back crystal of a smart watch" and says the system includes a "high-precision and high-accuracy absolute temperature sensor." The patent outlines several potential shapes and arrangements for the temperature sensor, with one of the more striking designs being a cross-shaped temperature probe.
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple originally intended to offer a body temperature measurement feature with the Apple Watch Series 7 models, but the company shelved the plans when the body temperature algorithm it had developed failed to meet requirements before the device entered the engineering validation testing (EVT) phase last year.
The problems Apple has experienced relating to body temperature measurement purportedly relate to the fact that skin temperature quickly varies based on the environment, and since a smartwatch cannot monitor core body temperature using hardware, the feature is heavily dependent on an algorithm that produces accurate results. This patent only covers the hardware setup for a temperature sensing system, rather than the algorithm required to produce accurate results.
While Apple's patent filings cannot be taken as concrete evidence of the company's exact plans since many of its patents are never used, they do show its areas of research and development, and sometimes reveal impending products, such as the AirTag.
In this case, it is difficult to look past the plethora of reports about the Apple Watch Series 8 offering a body temperature sensor – something that has long been rumored by sources like Kuo. Reports indicate that while the device is unlikely to offer exact body temperature measurements, the sensor will be used to provide at least two new health monitoring features.
The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman state that the body temperature sensor will aid fertility planning, giving women insights into their ovulation cycle. Apple has focused on women's health in recent years, so expanding features in this area seems to be in line with the company's objectives.
Moreover, the body temperature sensor could be used to improve the detection of patterns when tracking sleep. Apple leveraged blood oxygen sensing capabilities during sleep starting with the Apple Watch Series 6 and significantly bolstered the Apple Watch's sleep tracking in watchOS 9, meaning that further improvements in this area aided by hardware this year seem very plausible.
Apple is also said to have plans to enable the body temperature sensor to detect when a user has a fever, but it seems unlikely that this feature will be available upon the launch of the Apple Watch Series 8. Gurman believes that further in the future, Apple Watch models could determine if a user has a higher than normal body temperature, but it is still unlikely to show an exact measurement.
In the latest iOS 16 beta, Apple has updated the status bar battery icon on iPhones with Face ID to display the exact percentage remaining rather than just a visual representation of battery level, and while the change has been largely welcomed, some users are unhappy with the way it has been implemented.
In iOS 15 and earlier, battery percent has not been present on iPhones that have Face ID because of the lack of space on either side of the notch that houses the TrueDepth camera hardware. The new design adds the specific battery level to the battery icon, providing a better idea of battery status at a glance.
In Apple's latest design, the white battery icon remains completely filled in as the battery level gradually depletes. When the semi-transparent percentage reaches 20% or lower, a fifth of the battery icon turns red and the rest of the icon becomes semi-transparent, while the percentage inverts to white.
Apple appears to have chosen this abrupt change in styling to ensure that the central percentage number remains legible as the battery level depletes – if a white bar depleted behind the number then it would be harder to make out at a glance, Apple's UI designers likely concluded.
Some users disagree with this approach, while others have suggested their own alternative designs for a battery status indicator with percentage level.
The new iOS battery percentage feature is a bit confusing. It’ll take time to get used to it. Seeing a filled battery icon with the numbers and half of the battery are two different understandings of how much battery is left. pic.twitter.com/eSA9ppiQv8
— Rokas (@samuolisr) August 9, 2022
Nothing wrong with what Apple released but I think I might’ve preferred something like Alternative A for the battery indicator pic.twitter.com/a44879RIFk
— Mikael Johansson (@michaelnevernot) August 10, 2022
Perhaps Apple didn't anticipate that such a small design change would be so controversial, or that some users have a very clear idea of how they want their iPhone's battery level to be represented.
For some, it's simply a case of calling out what they consider to be poorly thought-out UI design. For others, it plays into low-battery anxiety, a major trigger of nomophobia. Either way, it's become a surprisingly heated topic, while it's easy to forget that the percentage display is optional (caveat: It's enforced when in Low Power Mode.)
Of course, the battery level indicator design isn't set in stone, and Apple well could change it in a later beta of iOS 16 or the final release. Whether you're testing the latest public beta or not, what do you think about the way it's been implemented? Let us know in the comments.
The launch of the new iPhone 14 is just a few weeks away, meaning millions of iPhone customers will soon upgrade their existing iPhone or perhaps get an iPhone for the first time.
Exclusive MacRumors iPhone 14 Pro renders by graphic designer Ian Zelbo
Whether upgrading from an older model or this is your first iPhone, we've rounded up a few tips to help you prepare for the next flagship iPhone and whether or not you'll want to upgrade.
Consider Your Trade-In Options
One of the most common ways customers purchase a new iPhone is through trade-in, which lets them receive credit for purchasing a new phone. How much credit you'll receive depends on several factors, including the model of your current phone and its condition.
Apple itself offers trade-in for older iPhones and even flagship Android devices, like the Samsung Galaxy S21 and the Google Pixel. Apple provides a list of how much it estimates devices may be worth, but it's crucial to note that those value estimations will drop due to the addition of the iPhone 13 family to the trade-in program after the iPhone 14 launches.
It may be a good idea to consider your trade-in options if you are eyeing an iPhone upgrade this fall. You can learn more about Apple's trade-in program here.
Check Up On Your Carrier Plan
Beyond a trade-in, many customers receive new phones through their carriers under installment plans that spread the device cost out over up to 36 months. As you consider your buying options, check what your carrier currently offers and how it stacks up to other possibilities such as trade-ins.
Last year following the launch of the iPhone 13, Apple partnered with AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile/Sprint to offer specific promotions and deals for the new iPhone lineup.
Consider Whether or Not You'll Upgrade
If you currently have an iPhone 13, you're probably not considering jumping to the iPhone 14. An upgrade may seem more appealing if you're rocking an older iPhone.
There have been plenty of rumors and leaks about what new features and changes the iPhone 14 will include. Using what we know, we've compiled a few helpful comparison guides for iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro customers compared to the iPhone 14 Pro and what we're expecting.
For a quick rundown of the iPhone 14 series: we're expecting four models with two 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch sizes, improved cameras, a new design with no notch for the higher-end variants, and more.
Constant pop-ups, annoying forms, and frustrating website behaviors can make browsing and using the web an unpleasant experience. Thankfully on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, several Safari extensions help turn the experience around.
We've listed some Safari extensions that you may not have known about that can help remove annoyances and make a pleasant Safari experience.
No More Cookies
Perhaps the most universally dreaded web pop-up is: "This website uses cookies. Accept or Reject?" Virtually every website shows users a form to consent to using cookies as they browse that website. While it may be helpful for some to have granular controller over the use of cookies on each website they visit, there is likely to be a better solution for many.
Super Agent for Safari is an extension that automatically fills out the cookies consent form on each website you visit, meaning you'll no longer see those annoying pop-ups. The Super Agent for Safari app lets you customize how you would like websites to use cookies.
Users can choose whether they want to accept or reject advertising, functional, performance, and other cookies. The settings are applied universally to all websites.
Super Agent for Safari is free with no in-app subscription and can be found in the App Store.
'Open in App?' No Thanks.
Some websites with accompanying apps on the App Store love to bombard users with pop-ups and banners to push them to use their app rather than the website.
StopTheMadness, as the name suggests, is a general-purpose privacy protection extension with several nifty features. Within the extension's settings page, StopTheMadness includes several toggles that users can enable and disable, including:
Bypassing Google's AMP webpages
Protects the ability to copy, cut, and paste on websites
Gets rid of link trackers and clickjacking in Google search results, and others
Stop autoplaying videos
Stop all audio and video on websites
StopTheMadness is a one-time purchase of $7.99 with no in-app subscription and can be found in the App Store.
Dark Mode For All
Spearheaded by the introduction of systemwide dark mode in iOS 13, many websites on the web now have the option of light and dark themes. For those websites that don’t have a dark mode option, however, there is a solution.
Noir is a Safari extension that automatically turns a website into dark mode, even if it doesn’t support it. Noir only kicks in if the website doesn’t have a native dark mode theme built-in. This can be especially helpful when your phone is in dark mode, but a website isn’t and you’re suddenly blinded by a bright white webpage.
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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.
