Parallels for Mac has announced Parallels Desktop 18, a new update that brings full support for the ProMotion displays in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, improved performance on the M1 Ultra chip, easier Windows 11 setup, and more.
Parallels Desktop 18 is designed to take full advantage of the latest Mac hardware, including the highest-end M1 Ultra Apple silicon chip. With the M1 Ultra in the Mac Studio, Parallels Desktop 18 "delivers up to 96% faster Windows 11" performance compared to previous versions of Parallels.
Full support for Apple's ProMotion display with automatic refresh rate changes and unleashed Apple M1 Ultra performance allowing users to assign more resources and get up to 96% faster Windows 11.
Parallels Desktop 18 also brings with it an improved Windows 11 installation experience and the ability to use a game controller on Windows 11 on the Mac.
Enhanced Windows game-play experience on a Mac: Users can now simply connect a game controller to their Mac, switch to Windows, and start playing. Enjoy smooth Windows UI and video playback, a higher frame rate, and much more.
Ahead of release later this fall, Parallels Desktop 18 includes support for new macOS Ventura features and functionalities. Additional new features include improved USB 3.0 support, improved compatibility of Intel (x86) applications, and more.
The Standard Edition of Parallels 18 for Mac is priced at $99.99 per year or $129.99 for a one-time perpetual license to the current version, with students eligible for a discounted price of $49.99 per year. The Pro Edition is priced at $119.99 per year, while the Business Edition is priced at $149.99 per year.
The HBO Max app for the iPhone and iPad is this week receiving a notable update that will overhaul the interface and add several new features that will improve the viewing experience on iOS devices.
According to the press release announcing the changes, the app offers a more intuitive navigation system, a refined design, and performance and stability improvements to bring it in line with the updated HBO Max Apple TV app that came out back in April.
U.S. HBO Max users who have an ad-free plan can use SharePlay on the iPhone or iPad to watch HBO content with friends and family over the FaceTime and Messages (iOS 16 only) apps, plus there is now a Shuffle button.
Previously available on the desktop, the Shuffle button lets users randomize the first episode that plays for select shows on the platform. On the iPad, Split View works with other apps so you can watch HBO while doing other things at the same time.
There's a dedicated home interface for downloaded content, tablet support for portrait and landscape orientations, and an enhanced screen reader experience with updated navigation elements and functionality.
The updated HBO Max app does not appear to be available for all iPhone and iPad users at this time, but WarnerMedia has said that it is rolling out.
Apple today seeded the fifth beta of iOS 16 to developers for testing purposes, introducing some small but notable changes to the iOS operating system.
We've rounded up everything new in the fifth beta below.
Battery Percentage in Status Bar
The battery icon in the status bar now displays the exact battery percent, a feature that can be toggled on in the Battery section of the Settings app.
Battery level is available on the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models, with the exception of the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini. It is also available on the iPhone X and XS, but not the iPhone 11 or the iPhone XR.
Battery percent has not been available on iPhones that have a notch for years now because of space constraints, so this is a welcome change for many iPhone users. Prior to now, checking for exact battery percentage had to be done by swiping into Control Center or using the battery widget.
New Find My Sound
When you use the "Play Sound" option in the Find My app for one of your devices, iPhone models have a new sound that plays. It's a bit louder and it is distinct from the sound available with prior versions of iOS 16.
New Sound When Pinging iPhone from Apple Watch
When you swipe up on the Apple Watch to get to the Control Center, if you tap on the iPhone icon to ping your iPhone to locate it, you'll hear a new sound. It is the same sound as the new Find My sound.
The Perspective Zoom feature has been removed for Lock Screen wallpapers. The toggle to disable it has also been removed.
It may be re-added in a future beta, as it is a feature that has been available on iPhones for some time.
Music App
Apple has slightly tweaked where Dolby Atmos and Lossless indicators are displayed. The information is now right next to genre, rather than below the Play and Shuffle buttons.
Screenshots
When you take a screenshot, edit it, and then tap on "Done," there is a new option to "Copy and Delete" the screenshot rather than just delete it.
Emergency Call
When you press and hold on the side button or rapidly press to get to the emergency screen, "Emergency SOS" has been renamed "Emergency Call."
Other New Features
Know of a new feature in iOS 16 beta 5 that we left out? Let us know in the comments below.
With the fifth beta of iOS 16, Apple has updated the battery icon on iPhones with Face ID to display the specific battery percentage rather than just a visual representation of battery level. The new battery indicator is available on iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models, with the exception of the 5.4-inch iPhone 12/13 mini. It is also available on the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max, XS and XS Max, and iPhone X.
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 iOS 15 and earlier versions of iOS, the battery icon shows a visual of the battery level, but it does not provide a specific percent. To get that information, iPhone users need to swipe down into Control Center or swipe over to the Today center view to see the battery widget.
The battery icon changes colors based on the status of the battery, and the color of the iPhone's wallpaper. When charging, for example, the battery icon is green and shows a charging indicator.
Battery percentage can be toggled on and off in the Settings app in the Battery section. The battery percentage feature appears to be available on most iPhones that have a notch, but it is not an option on the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 11, or iPhone XR perhaps due to space constraints and/or display quality.
iOS 16 beta 5 is available to developers at the current time, and Apple will be releasing a public beta in the near future.
Apple today seeded the fifth beta of macOS 13 Ventura, the next-generation version of the Mac operating system that's set to launch this fall. The fifth beta comes approximately a week after Apple provided the fourth beta to developers.
Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and once the appropriate profile is installed, betas will be available through the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences.
macOS Ventura introduces Stage Manager, a new feature that lets Mac users focus on a task while keeping other apps at the ready for easy swapping between tasks. The update adds Continuity Camera, which is designed to let you use the iPhone as a webcam for your Mac. It supports Center Stage, Desk View (for showing off your desk), and Studio Light.
Handoff is now available for FaceTime so you can transfer calls between iPhone, iPad, and Mac at will, and Messages supports features for marking an iMessage as unread, unsending an iMessage, and marking as unread. SharePlay also now works in the Messages app.
The Mail app supports scheduling and undoing emails for up to 10 seconds after they're sent, and there are now Weather and Clock apps that are available on the Mac. System Preferences has been renamed System Settings, and it features an iOS-like design.
Safari supports Shared Tab Groups and Apple is working on Passkeys, a next-generation credential that replaces the password. There are updates to Spotlight, Photo Library has new features, and Metal 3 is included in macOS Ventura for better graphics in games.
For everything new in macOS Ventura, we have a dedicated roundup that goes through all of the features. macOS Ventura is set to see a public release this fall.
Apple today seeded the fifth betas of upcoming iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the updates coming a little over a week after Apple released the fourth developer betas. The new beta has a build number of 20A5339d.
Registered developers can download the iOS and iPadOS 16 profiles from the Apple Developer Center, and once installed, the betas will be available over the air.
iOS 16 introduces a revamped Lock Screen that offers a new level of personalization and customization through widgets, a notification redesign, and adjustable fonts and colors for the time. Multiple Lock Screens are supported, similar to watch faces, and can be associated with Focus modes.
Focus is easier to set up than before and more customizable, with Focus filters available to cut out distracting content within apps. The Messages app now features tools for editing a iMessage, unsending an iMessage, and marking messages as unread, plus it supports SharePlay, much like FaceTime.
The Mail app has improved search and tools that include undo send, schedule send, and follow up so you can get a reminder to check up on an email if you haven't gotten a response. Safari supports Shared Tab Groups and Apple is working to replace passwords with Passkeys, a more biometrically secure way to log in to accounts.
iCloud Photo Library allows users to more easily share photos with family members, and Live Text is supported in video. There's a neat new feature for lifting the subject from a background with a tap, which is part of Visual Lookup.
Dictation has improved, Maps now supports multi-stop routing, Apple Pay Later lets you split up purchase payments, and the Home app has been entirely overhauled with a new look. On the iPad, the update adds a new Stage Manager feature for more Mac-like multitasking, but it's limited to M1 iPads.
Apple today seeded the fifth beta of an upcoming watchOS 9 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new beta coming a week and a half after Apple released the fourth beta to developers.
To install watchOS 9, developers will need to download the configuration profile from the Apple Developer Center. Once installed, watchOS 8 can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software update. To update to new software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life, it must be placed on the charger, and it needs to be in range of the iPhone.
watchOS 9 introduces four new watch faces, including Lunar, Playtime, Metropolitan, and Astronomy, plus it includes updates to some existing watch faces and complications. The ECG app now supports AFib History for tracking how long a person has been in atrial fibrillation.
The sleep tracking feature now includes sleep stages, letting the Apple Watch track when users are in REM, Core, or Deep sleep, and Apple has added a Medications app. The Medications app lets users manage and track their medications, vitamins, and supplements, with reminders when it's time to take them.
Updates to the Workout app add custom workouts and improvements for runners, triathletes, and swimmers. Fitness+ workouts now support streaming to certain third-party TVs for those who don't have an Apple TV, and notifications have been redesigned to be less obtrusive when the watch's screen is active.
Other new features include a CallKit API that allows VOIP calls to be answered on Apple Watch, Apple Watch Mirroring for controlling the Apple Watch with an iPhone, Quick Actions for doing more with a double pinch gesture, and updates to the Reminders and Calendar apps.
Apple today seeded the fifth beta of an upcoming tvOS 16 update to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming a little over a week after Apple seeded the fourth beta of tvOS 16 to developers.
Developers can download the new tvOS 16 beta by downloading a profile onto the Apple TV using Xcode.
tvOS 16 enables cross-device connectivity, a feature that allows developers to integrate Apple TV apps with iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch apps to unlock new experiences on the TV. Apple has also improved how multiple user profiles work in tvOS 16 by adding a shared keychain, so users won't need to sign in and choose their profile when launching an Apple TV app.
Game controller support has been expanded to the Nintendo Joy-Cons and Pro Controller, and HDR10+ support is available in the tvOS 16 Apple TV app. With tvOS 16, the Apple TV will support Matter, an upcoming standard that will improve interoperability between smart home accessories from different companies.
Apple has also seeded a new beta of the HomePod 16 software.
While the iPhone 14 and Apple Watch Series 8 are expected to be announced in September as usual, there are several more Apple products rumored to launch later this year, including new iPad and Mac models and more.
Beyond the iPhone and Apple Watch, we've put together a list of five Apple products that are most likely to be unveiled by the end of 2022.
Second-Generation AirPods Pro
Apple released the AirPods Pro in October 2019, and nearly three years later, rumors suggest an update to the wireless headphones is finally imminent.
The second-generation AirPods Pro are widely expected to launch later this year with several new features, including an upgrade to the H1 chip that powers features like active noise cancellation, support for Apple Lossless audio playback, updated motion sensors for expanded fitness tracking capabilities, a new charging case that can emit a sound when lost, a skin-detect sensor for improved in-ear detection, and more.
It is also likely that the charging case for the new AirPods Pro will be water resistant, like the third-generation AirPods charging case.
Back in 2020, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Debby Wu reported that Apple tested a more compact design for the new AirPods Pro that would eliminate the stems that drop below the earbuds, similar to Apple's Beats Studio Buds. However, more recent rumors suggest that the new AirPods Pro will not have any significant design changes.
A sketchy report that claimed the next AirPods Pro would feature heart rate detection, hearing aid capabilities, and a USB-C charging case also appears to be false.
The new iPad Pro models will feature the same chassis design as the current models, with the exception of new "4-pin connectors" on the top and bottom edges, according to Japanese blog Mac Otakara. The purpose of these connectors is unclear.
Apple last updated its iPad Pro line in April 2021, with new features including the M1 chip, a Thunderbolt port, 5G support for cellular models, a brighter display on the 12.9-inch model, and an upgraded 12-megapixel front camera with support for Apple's Center Stage feature, which helps keep you within the frame in video apps like FaceTime.
While the 10th-generation iPad is expected to retain a Touch ID home button, rumors suggest the device will no longer have a headphone jack.
Apple released the 9th-generation iPad in September 2021, with key features including a 10.2-inch display, an A13 Bionic chip, an upgraded 12-megapixel front camera with support for the Center Stage feature, True Tone, and double the base storage.
Apple TV With A14 Chip
Apple plans to launch a new Apple TV with an improved cost structure in the second half of 2022, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. It's unclear if Apple plans to pass on the cost savings to customers by lowering the price of the new Apple TV.
A new Apple TV is in development with an A14 chip and 4GB of RAM, according to Gurman, but it's unclear if this model is the same one that Kuo referred to. Either way, the internal upgrades would result in faster performance compared to the current Apple TV 4K, which is equipped with an A12 chip and 3GB of RAM.
Released in April 2021, the current Apple TV 4K starts at $179 with 32GB of storage, while the Apple TV HD remains available for $149. By comparison, there are many streaming sticks from brands like Chromecast and Roku available for between $25 and $100.
Mac Pro With "M2 Extreme" Chip
After announcing the Mac Studio at its March 2022 event, Apple teased that an Apple silicon version of the Mac Pro tower was coming later.
Back in 2020, Apple said its transition from Intel processors to Apple silicon chips across the Mac lineup would take around two years to be completed, so the new Mac Pro is expected to be announced by the end of 2022.
The new Mac Pro will be equipped with "M2 Ultra" and "M2 Extreme" chips, according to Gurman. It's possible the new Mac Pro will be smaller due to the switch to Apple silicon, but it's unclear if the desktop computer will have any major design changes compared to the current Intel-based model released in December 2019.
The new Mac Pro would be the fastest Mac ever, topping the Mac Studio with the M1 Ultra chip.
YouTuber and engineer Mark Rober has discussed his experience working for Apple's Special Projects Group, where he authored patents involving virtual reality in self-driving cars.
Back in 2018, it was revealed that noted YouTuber and former NASA engineer Mark Rober had been quietly working for Apple's Special Projects Group on several projects related to virtual reality. While Rober has since left his position at Apple, the company has continued to update and pursue patent applications based on his team's work.
Rober has now openly discussed his work at the company on Marques Brownlee's Waveform podcast, talking about Apple's feelings on Rober continuing his YouTube career while working at the company and how his work was uncovered by the press. He discusses his research, which explored uses for VR headsets in an autonomous vehicles, such as to prevent motion sickness and show simulated virtual routes, how Apple supports employees that generate ideas, and the implications of inventing concepts at the company.
Apple's long-rumored mixed-reality headset will feature separate internal and external displays that use different display technologies, according to The Elec.
As stated in the original Korean language report, Apple's first-generation mixed-reality headset will feature an OLED on silicon (OLEDoS), also known as micro-OLED, display supplied by Sony and a standard OLED external "indicator" display supplied by LG Display. The English language version of the report appears to have been incorrectly translated to state that LG's micro-OLED technology rather than standard OLED would be used on the first-generation headset.
In January, display analyst Ross Young was first to claim that Apple's headset will feature an outer display. Since then, rumors about Apple's display supply chain for its first headset have coalesced with Young's forecast.
Micro-OLED can deliver ultra-high resolutions despite its small size, making it ideal for virtual-reality applications. The more advanced display technology is not required on the exterior of the headset since it is expected to simply serve as an indicator display, meaning that regular OLED technology is sufficient.
The report reiterated that for the second-generation Apple headset, LG hopes to supply the main micro-OLED display in addition to the outer display, with the company now believed to be developing its OLEDoS technology with equipment from Sunic System. LG effectively hopes to take Apple's main micro-OLED display orders from Sony. This is also said to be in Apple's interests since Sony will indirectly compete with Apple's headset with its own PlayStation VR headsets.
Late last year, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple was already working on the second-generation version of its headset, aiming to offer a more lightweight design, an improved battery system, and better performance thanks to a faster processor. Kuo said that the shipment schedule for the second-generation headset resides in the second half of 2024, around two years after mass production on the first-generation model is rumored to begin.
Amazon is kicking off the week with the return of an all-time low price on the Apple Pencil 2, available for $99.00, down from $129.00. The accessory is in stock today on Amazon and has an estimated delivery day of August 10 for Prime members.
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The last time we tracked this price on the Apple Pencil 2 was earlier in the summer; otherwise this record low deal has been rare throughout 2022.
The Apple Pencil 2 is compatible with the following iPads: iPad mini (6th generation), iPad Air (4th generation), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd, 4th, and 5th generations), and 11-inch iPad Pro (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generations). The second generation Apple Pencil can also magnetically attach and pair to the iPad Pro, iPad mini, and iPad Air.
Additionally, Amazon is taking $50 off Apple's Magic Keyboards for the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro. You can get the 11-inch model for $249.00, down from $299, and the 12.9-inch model for $299.00, down from $349.00.
Both sales represent second-best prices on the accessories, but it's been a few months since we tracked all-time low deals. This makes Amazon's markdowns a great opportunity to buy the devices at a discount for back to school shoppers.
The pace of Apple's acquisitions has "dramatically" slowed over the past two years, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.
Regulatory filings show that Apple spent $33 million on payments related to acquisitions during the last fiscal year and $169 million in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. This is down from $1.5 billion in the fiscal year of 2020. Apple previously acquired a company every three to four weeks, with technology from startups forming the basis of features like multitouch, Siri, and Face ID, but the speed of the company's dealmaking has apparently now "slowed to a trickle."
The UK-based startups Credit Kudos and AI Music were Apple's only two known acquisitions in 2022 so far, intended to bolster the company's infrastructure for financial products and its ability to generate music with artificial intelligence. In 2021, classical music streaming service Primephonic was the company's only known acquisition, forming the basis of an upcoming classical-focused Apple Music app.
The reduced dealmaking stands in contrast to other tech companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, which this year agreed to purchase Activision Blizzard Inc. for $69 billion, Mandiant Inc. for $5.4 billion, and IRobot Corp. for $1.65 billion, respectively.
Increased regulatory scrutiny is said to be partly responsible for Apple's significantly reduced acquisitions, but the company is also reportedly scaling back spending more broadly, slowing hiring and shrinking expenditures in various departments. Gurman said that it is "a sign the tech giant is being more choosy in the face of a shaky economy and heightened government scrutiny."
Apple abandoned its plans to release a new Mac mini model with the M1 Pro chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman said that Apple had been working on an M1 Pro version of the Mac mini and intended to launch the device at the end of 2021 or at the start of 2022. He previously said that the company is now focusing on new Mac mini models with the M2 and "M2 Pro" chips.
In March, a report claimed that Apple originally "had plans" to introduce high-end versions of the Mac mini with M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, but they were "probably scrapped" in favor of the Mac Studio. That report also said that a new Mac mini is still in the works, with Apple skipping the M1 Pro and M1 Max to offer chips from the M2-series.
Leaker Jon Prossersaid last year that Apple was working on a complete redesign for the small desktop computer, moving to a smaller chassis with a "plexiglass-like" top. Contrary to this rumor, reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that Apple's next-generation Mac mini is likely to feature the same design as the current model, which is an aluminum unibody design that Apple has used for every new Mac mini since 2010. Like Kuo, Gurman has now said that the Mac mini will not "be getting any major redesign in the near term."
The camera bump on the upcoming iPhone 14 Pro Max is expected to be the largest rear lens housing Apple has ever installed on its flagship smartphones, and a new photo offers a rare glimpse at just how prominent it is compared to Apple's predecessor device.
iPhone 14 Pro Max dummy (left) vs iPhone 13 Pro Max
All iPhone 14 models are expected to see upgrades to the Ultra Wide camera on the rear of the device, but the iPhone Pro models could see significant improvements to the main wide-angle camera and updates to the telephoto lens.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that the iPhone 14 Pro models will feature a 48-megapixel Wide camera, which would be a major improvement over the current 12-megapixel camera, as well as 8K video recording capabilities. The new camera is also likely to be capable of taking 12-megapixel shots through a process known as pixel-binning, which merges data from multiple smaller pixels on the camera's image sensor into one "super-pixel" for improved low-light sensitivity.
As the image above shows, this will force Apple to substantially increase the height of the rear camera housing on the Pro models. Sourced from Twitter user @lipilipsi and shared by Majin Bu, the side-on shot shows the larger camera bump ridge on an iPhone 14 Pro Max dummy unit compared to the rear camera system on an iPhone 13 Pro Max.
According to schematics leaked back in February, the camera bump on the iPhone 14 Pro Max will be 4.17mm thick, up from 3.60mm in the iPhone 13 Pro Max. The size of the camera bump is also expected to expand about 5 percent in each direction, going from the current width of 35.01mm to 36.73mm and height of 36.24mm to 38.21mm.
Whether the enormity of the camera housing is a worthwhile trade-off for enhanced photo capabilities will be something users will have to decide for themselves, but suffice to say that cases designed for the iPhone 13 models are unlikely to fit the iPhone 14 models because of the size increase.
After seeing lackluster sales of the iPhone 13 mini, Apple this year is set to focus on larger iPhone sizes, and we're expecting to see a 6.1-inch iPhone 14, a 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro, a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max, and a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 14 models at an event likely to be held in September 2022, if Apple follows previous launch timelines. For everything we know about the new lineup, be sure to check out our dedicated iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro rumor roundups.
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models are rumored to be available in a refreshed range of color options, including an all-new purple color. Most expectations about the iPhone 14 lineup's color options come from an unverified post on Chinese social media site Weibo earlier this year.
Overall, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro's selection of color options could look fairly similar to those of the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 13, and iPhone 13 Pro, headlining with the re-introduction of a purple shade. Excluding mid-cycle color additions, such as Green and Alpine Green for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro earlier this year, it initially looked like the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro would launch with the same number of color options as their predecessors, but there have since been rumors about a new Blue shade.
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max
Compared to the selection of color options available with the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max are said to be available in the following colors:
iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13
Midnight
Starlight
Blue
PRODUCT(RED)
Pink
Green
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max
Black (Midnight?)
White (Starlight?)
Blue
Red (PRODUCT(RED)?)
Purple
Assuming that the Weibo post's black and white options for the iPhone 14 actually refer to Midnight and Starlight, the new color lineup would mean the discontinuation of the iPhone 13's Pink and Green.
iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
For the high-end models, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will apparently feature a similar selection of colors to the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max:
iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max
Graphite
Silver
Gold
Sierra Blue
Alpine Green
iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
Graphite
Silver
Gold
Blue
Purple
This would mean that the iPhone 13 Pro's Sierra Blue and Alpine Green would not be carried over this year. For its "Pro" models, Apple also usually offers an all-new color alongside its standard Graphite or Space Gray, Silver, and Gold at launch. For the iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro, this included Midnight Green, Pacific Blue, Sierra Blue, and Alpine Green, and this year it looks like Apple plans to continue the trend of offering a some standout colors.
Recently shared images of iPhone 14 Pro dummy models showed similar Gold, Graphite, and Silver color options from recent years. Two other color options depicted in the images would be new to the current "Pro" iPhone lineup: a dark purple and a blue.
Dummy models usually do not represent the exact tone of Apple's options with a high level of accuracy since they are often made of plastic, but the selection of colors on show could provide a basic overview of what to expect. Dummy models are used to display, demonstrate, and test accessories like cases, so they strive to provide a relatively accurate overall substitute for the actual physical device. As such, it is reasonable to expect the color options to be based on legitimate information.
New Purple Finish
In recent years, Apple has offered eye-catching new color options alongside more neutral tones when launching new iPhone models. The purple color option for both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro is said to be a unique finish that shifts tone based on lighting conditions.
A purple color option for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro seems plausible given that Apple introduced a Purple iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini in a mid-cycle refresh in April last year to a positive response from customers, and the 24-inch iMac, sixth-generation iPad mini, and fifth-generation iPad Air are all available in Purple.
It is not clear if the unique purple finish is actively supposed to have a kaleidoscopic effect to change based on lighting conditions, or simply use the technique behind the iPhone 13 Pro's Sierra Blue, which varies in appearance more than the other color options. This is because Apple adopted a new production process exclusively for Sierra Blue that uses "multiple layers of nanometer-scale metallic ceramics applied across the surface for a stunning and durable finish."
A brief video of an iPhone 14 Pro dummy model, showing a larger rear camera bump and a relocated front-facing camera in line with rumors about the device so far, provides a closer look at what the striking dark purple color could look like.
The main iPhone 14 color option rumor from Weibo got traction on Twitter and the information has seemingly been mirrored by other unverified posts from elsewhere. Nevertheless, the post came from a source without a known track record and it is not clear why it was deleted, so it should still be viewed with a level of skepticism.
Color option rumors are typically an area of low accuracy for Apple rumors, likely since color options are chosen relatively late in Apple's product development process. Last year, Max Weinbach and Ukrainian e-commerce website KTC said that the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 would be available in Black, Blue, Purple, Pink, White, and PRODUCT(RED), while the the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max would be available in Black, Silver, Gold, and Bronze. The Purple, Black, and Bronze color options did not emerge, while the actual new shade of Sierra Blue was largely unexpected.
Illustrative of this is a recent post from user "yeux1122" on Korean blog Naver, citing "vendor sources." The post said that "very few colors are actually being released" for the iPhone 14 lineup, and that previous rumors about the device's color options were only derived from samples. It added that Apple is searching for the source of leaks using approximately three different color samples. In addition, "rather than the purple currently being discussed," Apple is reportedly planning to use "a completely different color that was prepared from the iPhone 12."
As such, it is difficult to glean much reliable information about the iPhone 14 lineup's color options. As it stands, the Weibo rumor and the emphasis on purple as the new headline shade still seem plausible, but only time will tell.
Netflix's mobile gaming platform has been engaging less than 1 percent of Netflix subscribers since its launch last November, according to new data from app analytics company Apptopia (via CNBC.).
Included with every Netflix subscription, Netflix Games allows users to play a handful of games on their mobile devices. Games are released as individual apps on the iOS App Store, while the full catalog of games, currently numbering 24 titles, is maintained in the Netflix app.
Similar to the way Apple Arcade operates, there are no ads, additional fees or in-app purchases included in the games, with the idea being that customers remain engaged with the streaming service while they are waiting for new installments of TV shows and series hosted by the platform.
For example, Netflix has tied in several of the available games to popular shows, such as "Stranger Things: 1984," "Stranger Things 3: The Game," and an upcoming chess game based on The Queen's Gambit. Netflix hasn't said how much it's investing in games, but the company acquired Finnish developer Next Games for around $72 million, and Netflix says the catalog will grow to 50 games by the end of the year.
Despite Netflix's investment, however, the latest engagement figures are unlikely to be warmly received by Netflix, as less than 1% of Netflix's 221 million subscribers play the games according to Apptopia. In total, the games have reportedly been downloaded 23.3 million times and average 1.7 million daily users, which is far short of leading mobile games.
Last year, Netflix's COO Greg Peters said the company was "many months and really, frankly, years" into learning how games can keep customers on the service. "We're going to be experimental and try a bunch of things, but I would say the eyes that we have on the long-term prize really center more around our ability to create properties that are connected to the universes, the characters, the stories that we're building."
Intensifying competition for user attention in recent months has likely since increased the importance of games to Netflix's overall strategy. According to data shared by the company's Q2 2022 earnings call, despite revenue increasing 9 percent year on year, Netflix lost 1.3 million subscribers in the United States and Canada over the quarter.
Netflix has also been raising its prices, which has resulted in some customers turning away from the service. In January, the company increased the prices for all of its plans. The basic standard definition plan went from $8.99 to $9.99, the Standard HD plan went from $13.99 to $15.49, and the 4K plan went from $17.99 to $19.99.
Netflix blames its subscriber loss on connected TV adoption, account sharing, and competition, and to continue to improve revenue growth, the company says that it is focusing on evolving monetization. A lower-priced ad-supported tier is in the works and is set to launch in early 2023, and the lower-cost plan could draw in some of the subscribers that have abandoned Netflix because of the rising costs.
Apple has informed suppliers that it's now expecting the iPhone 14 lineup to sell better than it originally thought, increasing the number of devices it will produce and ship to 95 million rather than 90 million, according to the Taiwan Economic Times.
According to the report, Apple told suppliers to increase the number of iPhones it will produce and ship to 95 million units, an increase of 5% compared to the company's prior expectations. Citing research, the report says the highest-end iPhone 14 Pro Max will be the most abundant.
Apple reportedly repeated a similar sentiment to suppliers last month, saying the iPhone 14 is likely to do better than the iPhone 13 series.
Mass production of the iPhone 14 is expected to begin this month as suppliers have been ramping up component shipments in the last several weeks. The iPhone 14 series will consist of two 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch models, including the iPhone 14, the iPhone 14 Max, the iPhone 14 Pro, and the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
On the higher-end models of the upcoming iPhone lineup, users can expect several notable changes, including bolstered camera capabilities with a new 48MP lens, a new pill-shaped and hole-punch notch replacement, faster performance with the A16 chip, and more.
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