MacRumors

Apple today announced further changes to its App Store rules for dating apps in the Netherlands in an attempt to comply with requirements put in place by the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM).

Apple says that after "productive conversations" with the ACM, it is making the following updates:

- Developers of dating apps in the Netherlands can use the StoreKit External Purchase Entitlement, the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement, or both entitlements.
In accordance with the ACM's wishes, we've made adjustments to the user interface requirements announced this past March for developers who choose to use either or both of the entitlements.

- We've adjusted the payment processing provider criteria for developers who wish to use either of the entitlements.

- The 3 percent commission discount also applies to in-app purchases that qualify for a lower commission rate (for example, App Store Small Business

- Program enrollees or subscription services after one year of paid service -- both of which already qualify for a 15% commission).

Though Apple is making these changes, the company says that it does not believe these updates are "in the best interest" of user privacy or data security, and it is continuing to appeal the original ACM order.

As a reminder, developers of dating apps who want to continue using Apple's in-app purchase system -- which we believe is the safest and most secure way for users to purchase digital goods and services -- may do so and no further action is needed.

We don't believe some of these changes are in the best interests of our users' privacy or data security. Because Apple is committed to constructive engagement with regulators, we're making the additional changes at the ACM's request. As we've previously said, we disagree with the ACM's original order and are appealing it.

Apple has been clashing with Dutch regulators over dating app rules since December 2021, when the ACM announced that Apple would be required to allow dating apps to use alternative payment methods on the ‌App Store‌ in the Netherlands. Apple complied with the demand, but in a way that the ACM was not satisfied with, so Apple has had to make changes to the implementation several times now.

Apple initially attempted to implement the ‌App Store‌ changes in a way that would require developers to choose between using alternative payments or in-app payments, but the ACM demanded that developers be able to use both at the same time. Developers who use alternative payment methods in the Netherlands must still pay Apple's commission, but the fee is reduced by three percent.

The ACM has been fining Apple for not complying with the rules as the Cupertino company works to meet the regulatory demands, and it has racked up more than 50 million euros in fines.

Apple on Monday introduced macOS Ventura, the newest version of the operating system that runs on the Mac. Set to come out this fall, macOS Ventura is currently available to developers, so we thought we'd take a deep dive to show MacRumors readers all of the new features that are in the update.

• Mail - Mail offers up smart search suggestions that are more relevant to what you're looking for, and there are options to unsend an email message, schedule an email message, get a reminder to reply to an email, and follow up on a message that you send that doesn't get a response. Mail supports rich links, and it can let you know if you forget to add an attachment.
• Spotlight - Spotlight now supports previewing files with Quick Look (just press the space bar), and it includes rich results for contacts, actors, musicians, movies, TV shows, sports, and more. You can also use Spotlight to search for text in images and to look for images by location, scenes, and image content. Spotlight can also perform tasks like setting an alarm, activating a Focus, or running a Shortcut.
• Passkeys - Apple is aiming to replace passwords with Passkeys, a next-generation authentication technology. Passkeys use a two-key system, with one key stored on device and authenticated through Face ID and Touch ID. You'll have one passkey per login, and passkeys will sync across all of your devices and will be accessible on non-Apple devices, too. Passkeys are almost impossible to be phished or stolen, preventing unwanted access to online accounts.
• Shared Tab Groups - Safari Tab Groups can now be shared with friends or family members, so you can bookmark sites collaboratively for planning trips, working on projects, and more. Everyone has access to the tabs that are added, and Tab Groups update instantly for all participants.
• Stage Manager - ‌Stage Manager‌ is a new multitasking feature that organizes your apps and windows into a single view so you can stay focused on your main app while quickly swapping between apps as needed.
• FaceTime Handoff - Handoff supports ‌FaceTime‌, so you can start a ‌FaceTime‌ call on iPhone and transfer it to the Mac, and vice versa.
• Continuity Camera - With Continuity Camera, an ‌iPhone‌ can be used as a webcam for a Mac. It works seamlessly, and it offers neat features like special lighting and a Desk View so you can show off what you're doing on your desktop. It also supports Center Stage for keeping you in the frame as you move around the room.
• Redesigned System Settings - System Preferences is now System Settings, and the design is more similar to the iOS Settings app. There's a sidebar that lists all of the available settings so it's easier to get to what you need without swapping between preferences.
• Clock and Weather apps - Apple brought the iOS Clock and Weather apps to the Mac for the first time. The apps are identical to what's available on the ‌iPhone‌ and the iPad.

macOS Ventura is limited to developers at the current time, but Apple plans to provide a public beta in July. The operating system will see a public launch this fall.

While the headline feature of iOS 16 is the ability to customize the Lock screen with new fonts, widgets, and more, the update will include several other useful features on the iPhone, with five of our favorite additions highlighted below.

iOS 16 is currently in beta for Apple developers only, but Apple said a public beta will be available at some point in July. iOS 16 will be released for all users around September, and the update is compatible with the iPhone 8 and newer.

Live Activities

iOS 16 includes a new Live Activities feature that provides live notifications on the iPhone's Lock screen. Live Activities will be useful for staying on top of live events or other tasks, such as keeping up with the score of a sports game, tracking the progress of an Uber ride, monitoring the status of a Starbucks order, viewing a timer, and more.

Apple said Live Activities is coming in an update to iOS 16 later this year, meaning that it will not be available when iOS 16 is first released to all users. Apple will be making an API available to developers to offer Live Activities in their third-party apps, so there will likely be all sorts of different use cases for this handy new feature.

Edit or Unsend an iMessage

iOS 16 introduces the ability to edit or unsend recently sent iMessages, as well as mark iMessage conversations as unread after opening them. Apple allows users to edit or unsend an iMessage for up to 15 minutes after sending it.

To edit or unsend a message, users simply need to tap and hold on a bubble and select the appropriate option in the menu that appears. iMessages that have been edited are marked as "edited" below the message bubble, and edited or unsent messages are still visible in their original form to users running older software versions like iOS 15.

Nintendo Joy-Cons Support

Despite not being advertised as a feature on Apple's website, iOS 16 adds support for the Nintendo Switch's Joy-Cons and Pro Controller. iPhones running iOS 16 can be used with either single left or right Joy-Cons, or both at once as a singular controller.

In the iOS 16 release notes for developers, Apple said the iPhone supports many additional Bluetooth game controllers on iOS 16, but Apple did not provide a list of the newly compatible controllers. This is on top of the iPhone's existing compatibility with PS5 and Xbox Series X controllers since the release of iOS 14.5.

Apple Pay Order Tracking

Apple Pay on iOS 16 is gaining built-in order tracking information in the Wallet app for online orders completed via Apple Pay. The tracker provides an order's estimated delivery date and indicates when a package is out for delivery.

Fitness App Without Apple Watch

Starting with iOS 16, the Fitness app is now available on the iPhone for all users, even if they don't own an Apple Watch. The app features a daily Activity ring that relies on the iPhone's motion sensors to estimate a person's calories burned and steps per day.

For a closer look at iOS 16, watch our video walkthrough of some of the biggest new features.

We're recapping the best deals of the week today, highlighting solid markdowns that are still available as we head into the weekend. This includes the 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro, AirTag, iPad, iPad mini, and Sonos speakers.

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.

iPhone 13 Cases

• What's the deal? Take up to 50% off official iPhone 13 cases
• Where can I get it? Verizon

Verizon is ending the week with new discounts across Apple's official iPhone 13 case lineup, with as much as 50 percent off in many cases. The deals focus on cases for the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 mini. You can get the Leather Case for iPhone 13 Pro for $29.99 ($29.99 off), the Silicone Case for iPhone 13 Pro for $24.99 ($24.99 off), and more. Only select colors are being discounted, and you'll also find deals on iPhone 12 cases and third-party accessories.

Sonos

• What's the deal? Take 20% off Sonos speakers
• Where can I get it? Sonos
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

This week Sonos opened up a notable summer sale with 20 percent off discounts on its most popular speakers, including the Sonos Roam at $143.20 ($35.80 off) and Sonos Move at $319.20 ($79.80 off). These sales don't require a coupon code and will only last a limited time, so be sure to visit Sonos' website soon if you're interested.

13-Inch M1 MacBook Pro

• What's the deal? Take $149 off 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

WWDC kicked off the week, and we saw the announcement of a refreshed 13-inch MacBook Pro with the new M2 chip. In the wake of that announcement, we're tracking solid deals on the 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro model with the M1 chip and 256GB SSD, available for $1,149.99, down from $1,299.00.

AirTag

• What's the deal? Take up to $10 off AirTag
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon has been keeping Apple's AirTag trackers at a solid discount over the past few weeks, and this week was no different. Both the AirTag 1-Pack and 4-Pack are still on sale today, but the 1-Pack has increased in price since we originally posted. You can get the AirTag 1-Pack for $27.50 and the AirTag 4-Pack for $89.00.

iPads

• What's the deal? Take up to $90 off iPad and iPad mini
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Later in the week, we tracked a pair of deals on the 10.2-inch iPad and 8.3-inch iPad mini 6, reaching up to $90 off these devices. The entry-level 64GB Wi-Fi iPad is available for $309.00 ($20 off) and the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 6 is available for $409.00 ($90 off).

Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

Apple CEO Tim Cook today wrote a letter to the U.S. Senate advocating for strong privacy legislation at the federal level. The letter appears to be in response to a proposed bipartisan bill titled the "American Data Privacy and Protection Act" that would outline the types of data companies can collect from individuals and how they can use it.

The letter, obtained by MacRumors, is addressed to Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Frank Pallone (D-NJ), the Chair of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

In the letter, Cook said Apple continues to support efforts at the federal level to establish strong privacy protections for consumers. Cook added that Apple is encouraged by the draft proposals that Senate leaders have produced and reiterated Apple's belief that privacy is a fundamental human right. Cook said that while Apple fights to protect user privacy, "only Congress can provide strong privacy protections for all Americans."

The full text of the letter reads as follows:

Dear Chairs Cantwell and Pallone and Ranking Members Wicker and McMorris Rodgers:

Thank you for your ongoing work on privacy legislation. Apple continues to support efforts at the federal level to establish strong privacy protections for consumers, and we are encouraged by the draft proposals your offices have produced.

We recognize that there are outstanding issues to be resolved, but the areas of agreement appear to far outweigh the differences. Your drafts would provide substantial protections for consumers, and we write to offer our strong support towards achieving this shared goal. With your work, coupled with President Biden's call to better protect children’s privacy, it appears Americans are closer than ever to obtaining meaningful privacy protections.

At Apple, we believe privacy is a fundamental human right. It is why we have consistently advocated for comprehensive privacy legislation and contributed to the process whenever possible. It is also why we've always built products and features that protect users and their information by default. We do this by minimizing the data we collect, processing as much data as possible on a user's device, giving users transparency as to what data is collected and control as to how it is used, and building robust systems to protect user data across all our products and services.

While Apple will continue to innovate and develop new ways to protect user data, only Congress can provide strong privacy protections for all Americans. The continued absence of this important legislation will unfortunately perpetuate a patchwork approach to privacy rights that leaves too many without the rigorous standards we hope to see as a result of your hard work.

We strongly urge you to advance comprehensive privacy legislation as soon as possible, and we stand ready to assist in this process in the days ahead.

Sincerely,
Tim Cook
CEO, Apple

Last month, Apple shared a new ad highlighting iPhone privacy features like App Tracking Transparency and Mail Privacy Protection that are designed to give users more transparency and control when it comes to their personal data being collected.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

As part of its rebuilt Home app experience in iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, Apple appears to be removing support for using an iPad as a Home Hub.

For those unfamiliar with what a Home Hub does, the HomeKit framework allows you to remotely control compatible smart home devices, but some features like location-based automation require a designated Home Hub, which remains powered on and connected at your home when you're away.

For example, with a Home Hub, some thermostats can change the temperature to something more economical whenever you leave your home by using a virtual geographical boundary (geofencing). A Home Hub also allows you to use Siri to trigger actions when you're away from home.

In iOS 15, Apple lets you designate an Apple TV, HomePod, or ‌iPad‌ as a Home Hub, but in iOS 16, which is currently in beta, "Only ‌Apple TV‌ and ‌HomePod‌ are supported as home hubs," according to a footnote in Apple's iOS 16 preview webpage.

Despite this change, it should be noted that iPadOS 16 beta 1 still allows you to designate an ‌iPad‌ as a Home Hub. However, given Apple's marketing webpage for iOS 16 as well as interface notes in iPadOS 16, it's likely that this ability will be removed in a later version of the software.

Matter will allow ‌HomeKit‌ users to integrate more IoT device categories into their smart homes than ever before, and control them with the Home app and using ‌Siri‌. Matter is due to launch later this year, which is likely to be around the time that iOS 16 is officially released to the public in the fall.

Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, Craig Federighi, joined by Apple's senior vice president of marketing, Greg Joswiak, have talked at length about iOS 16's lock screen redesign, iPadOS 16's and macOS Ventura's new "Stage Manager" feature, gaming on the Mac, and more with Daring Fireball's John Gruber.

During the 90-minute conversation, Federighi addressed recent controversy that has arisen following macOS Ventura's introduction of the redesigned System Preferences, now renamed System Settings. One aspect of the redesign that has gotten noted on Twitter is the removal of videos that demo macOS trackpad gestures. Federighi confirmed during the interview that those videos are coming back in a "new experience" in a future macOS Ventura beta.

Federighi said that despite what some may think, macOS Ventura's redesign of System Setting was not largely inspired by iOS. Federighi instead said that team's main goal was consistency for users, saying System Settings on macOS Ventura is a "great interface."

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman on Thursday reported that Apple is considering launching an all-new 12-inch notebook at the end of 2023 or in early 2024. Gurman said it is unclear if the 12-inch model would be a low-end MacBook or a higher-end MacBook Pro.

Twitter user "Majin Bu" has since claimed that the model will be a new 12-inch MacBook Pro that may be equipped with Apple's next-generation M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. In the MacBook Pro, Gurman said the M2 Max will feature a 12-core CPU and up to a 38-core GPU, while the M1 Max maxes out with a 10-core CPU and a 32-core GPU.

Apple has released both lower-end and higher-end 12-inch notebooks in the past. At the low end, Apple introduced an ultra-thin 12-inch MacBook that weighed just two pounds in 2015, but the notebook was discontinued in 2019. And at the higher end, Apple offered a 12-inch PowerBook G4 in the mid-2000s, prior to the original MacBook Pro.

In any case, Apple silicon chips deliver impressive performance per watt, paving the way for Apple to introduce ultra-portable, high-performance MacBooks without the thermal constraints of Intel processors that the company used over the last decade and a half.

Majin Bu has a hit-or-miss track record with Apple rumors, but he has gained some credibility recently after tweeting that Apple was planning a new 14.1-inch iPad Pro. The rumor has since been backed by very reliable display industry consultant Ross Young, who tweeted that his supply chain sources have confirmed that Apple is indeed planning a new 14.1-inch iPad Pro with a mini-LED display that could launch in 2023.

Father's Day falls on Sunday, June 19, in the United States this year, and with just over a week before the holiday we're tracking notable discounts from various Apple-related accessory companies. These include a chance to save on Sonos speakers, iPhone 13, iPad keyboards, and other products that could make good gifts for Father's Day.

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.

All of the deals listed in this article have already begun, and most of them will last until Sunday, June 19, unless otherwise stated. You'll find discounts from Brydge, AT&T, OtterBox, eBay, Belkin, and more. With nine days to go until Father's Day, most orders placed today should make it in time for the 19th.

FINIS Smart Goggle

The FINIS Smart Goggle is a pair of swim goggles equipped with a small display inside and sensors that track your swims and keep you up to date on your swimming metrics, even when you're in the middle of a swim. Our readers can get 20 percent off these goggles with the code MACRUMORS, knocking the price of the accessory down to $159.20, from $199.00.

For a limited time, when you order the FINIS Smart Goggle kit you'll also get a second pair of goggles compatible with the system for free. You can find out more about the FINIS Smart Goggle by checking out our review on the accessory.

Sonos

Sonos is taking 20 percent off its portable speakers and sound bars this week, including deals on the Sonos Roam and Sonos Move. The Roam is down to $143.20 ($34.80 off) and the Move is down to $319.20 ($79.80 off) during this event. We've listed every product in the sale below, and you won't need to worry about discount codes as each sale has been automatically applied.

Portable Speakers

• Roam - $143.20, down from $179.00 ($35.80 off)
• Move - $319.20, down from $399.00 ($79.80 off)
• Adventure Set (2x Roam) - $286.40, down from $358.00 ($71.60 off)
• Roam Charging Set - $192.20, down from $228.00 ($35.80 off)
• Portable Set (Move + Roam) - $462.40, down from $578.00 ($115.60 off)
• Indoor/Outdoor Set (Move + One) - $538.20, down from $618.00 ($79.80 off)

Sound Bars

• 2 Room Set (Ray + Roam) - $422.20, down from $458.00 ($35.80 off)
• 2 Room Set (Arc + Move) - $1,218.20, down from $1,298.00 ($79.80 off)

Flexibits

Our exclusive deal on Flexibits Premium remains ongoing through Father's Day, allowing you the chance to get 75 percent off your first year of the subscription service, which grants access to popular apps Fantastical and Cardhop. The subscription supports apps across macOS, iOS, and iPadOS.

You can get the deal by following this link to Flexibits' website, and clicking on the header to redeem 75 percent off your next purchase. You'll need to create a Flexibits account and begin a 14 day free trial of Flexibits Premium, either for an Individual or Family Plan, and the 75 percent off sale will be applied to either option.

AT&T

Similar to Mother's Day, AT&T is offering a deal for Father's Day that has up to $700 off the iPhone 13 for new and existing customers. You'll need to buy the iPhone on a qualifying installment agreement and trade in an eligible smartphone within 30 days of activation.

Afterwards, you'll get up to $700 in bill credits with smartphone trade-in value of $95 or higher, and up to $350 in bill credits with smartphone trade-in value of $35 to $94. Credits will start within three bill cycles.

There are a few other ongoing deals happening this month on AT&T, including the iPhone 12 mini for less than $9 per month and the fourth generation iPad Air for $300 off. Head to AT&T's deals page to see all of these offers before they expire.

Brydge

Brydge is hosting a sale on its iPad keyboards and the MacBook Vertical Dock this week. This event covers keyboards for the iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro, and includes leather folios and sleeves for iPads.

• MacBook Vertical Dock - $79.99, down from $169.99
• Brydge 10.2 - $89.99, down from $129.99
• Brydge Air MAX+ for iPad Air - $119.99, down from $149.99
• Brydge MAX+ for iPad Pro - $159.99 - $199.99, down from $199.99 - $249.99

eBay

eBay is taking 15 percent off select storefronts for Father's Day when the code TECHGIFTSFORDAD is used at checkout. You'll be able to save on tools, tech accessories and products, clothing, sporting goods, and kitchen appliances.

You can browse all of the storefronts and items in the sale by heading to eBay's website. The coupon code is good for two uses and is capped at a maximum value of $100. This sale will only last until June 12.

Other Sales

• Adorama - Save on external SSD, headphones, monitors, and more.
• B&H Photo - Save on photography equipment, drones, computer storage, and more.
• Belkin - Save on wireless chargers, surge protectors, and more.
• Casely - Save 50% on all charging cases.
• Harber London - Get 15% off your entire order, no code needed.
• JBL - Save up to 60% on headphones and speakers.
• Newegg - Save on keyboards, monitors, and other computer gear.
• Nomad - Save during Nomad's latest outlet sale.
• OtterBox - Get 20% off sitewide.
• Pad & Quill - Save up to 50% during the summer clearance sale.

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.

The UK's competition watchdog seeks to "remedy" Apple's restrictions on browser engines in iOS and cloud gaming through the App Store via a high-level regulatory process, the organization announced today.

The announcement comes upon the publication of the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) year-long study into Apple and Google's mobile ecosystems, which finds that Apple and Google have an "effective duopoly" on mobile ecosystems that allows them to "exercise a stranglehold over these markets," including on operating systems, app stores, and web browsers. "Without interventions," the press release claims, "both companies are likely to maintain, and even strengthen, their grip over the sector, further restricting competition and limiting incentives for innovators."

The report identifies "a range of potential interventions" that could be taken to address the raised issues, but the CMA has specifically looked at ways to take "immediately targeted actions" using its current powers, including launching a wide-reaching "market investigation reference" into mobile browser engines and cloud gaming.

The study sets out concerns that Apple's ban on alternative browser engines on iOS and iPadOS "severely limits the potential for rival browsers to differentiate themselves from Safari (for example, on features such as speed and functionality) and limits Apple's incentives to invest in its browser engine." It also highlights that Apple's browser engine restriction "seriously inhibits the capability of web apps," which is said to be "depriving consumers and businesses of the full benefits of this innovative technology," and the "key advantage" that Apple and Google gain from selling devices with their own browser app pre-installed.

Overall, the evidence we have seen does not suggest that the WebKit restriction is justified by security concerns. We note that Apple benefits financially from weakening competition in browsers via the browser engine ban.

Meanwhile, in recent submissions to the United States National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Google, Microsoft, and Mozilla have all explicitly condemned Apple's WebKit restriction.

• Should Apple Continue to Ban Rival Browser Engines on iOS?

The CMA's report also criticizes Apple's restrictions on cloud gaming services on the ‌App Store‌. "Gaming apps are a key source of revenue for Apple and cloud gaming could pose a real threat to Apple's strong position in-app distribution. By preventing this sector from growing, Apple risks causing mobile users to miss out on the full benefits of cloud gaming," the study claims.

The CMA's proposal for a market investigation reference looks to determine what specific remedial actions can be taken to improve competition with regard to browser engines and cloud gaming on Apple platforms, potentially including orders that require Apple to make material changes to its practices. The study into mobile ecosystems is intended to serve as a basis for negotiating undertakings and imposing orders.

Market investigations are a high-level process through which the CMA can request extensive information from companies to draw conclusions and implement legally binding remedies. Market investigation references are seldom used since they are resource-intensive and impose a significant burden on companies, especially amid the threat of structural disinvestments and stringent behavioral solutions.

Separately, the CMA continues to examine Apple's ‌App Store‌ terms and conditions in a competition law investigation that started in March 2021, and the UK government is empowering its Digital Markets Unit with statutory powers to penalize companies that do not meet its rules with considerable fines.

Apple's ecosystem is increasingly coming under intense scrutiny by governments around the world, including in the United States, Japan, South Korea, the European Union, and more, with a clear appetite from global regulators to explore requirements around issues like app store policies, app sideloading, and interoperability amid concerns about competition.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Apple is taking extra steps with iOS and iPadOS 16 to encourage those testing the company's latest software to submit bugs and issues they experience so they can be fixed ahead of the software's launch this fall.

Apple this week announced iOS 16, iPadOS 16, watchOS 9, and macOS Ventura, each major updates for their respective platforms. None of the updates will be available to the general public until later this fall, but over the summer, members of Apple's developer program will test and run the software on their devices. The testing is meant to help developers prepare their apps for the updates and allows Apple to fix and receive feedback on the updates before they ship to millions of customers.

As the software are pre-release software, they are typically filled with bugs and issues. Beta testers can submit issues they find using the Feedback app that comes pre-installed. The process of submitting bugs and feedback is, however, sometimes complicated, and beta testers don't always submit issues they encounter. The lack of feedback makes it harder for Apple to identify and patch bugs before the software launches, but Apple is hoping to change that this year.

Starting with iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 beta 1 released this week, if an iPhone or iPad experiences a crash, reboot, or serious system-wide bug, the system will automatically prompt the beta tester to submit the issue to Apple, including any relevant logs that could be used by Apple's engineer in fixing the problem.

Ahead of WWDC this week, Apple also shared tips on how to submit effective bug reports. Apple's tips include making sure beta testers report bugs as soon as they happen, making sure the reports are concise and detailed enough to allow Apple to reproduce the issue, and ensuring any relevant screenshots or screen recordings of the problem are filed, if applicable.

Apple has over the years come under increased scrutiny from users over buggy and unstable software updates. iOS 15, the current version of iOS, was plagued by issues when it launched in September 2021.

With a slate of new software updates coming this fall, Apple is clearly hoping the new pop-up and advisory to developers will help it find and address issues before the updates launch, resulting in a more stable experience for customers. Members of the public will have a chance to test iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, and watchOS 9 later next month.

The Glasgow Times today reports that employees at Apple's Buchanan Street store in Scotland are about to become the first branch in the United Kingdom to unionize.

Staff at Apple Glasgow are said to have filed for Voluntary Union Recognition with Apple after joining the country's general workers union, GMB Scotland. They claim low wages, lack of pay transparency, and unfair shift patterns have pushed them to make the move.

An Apple worker, who asked to remain anonymous, told the paper: "In the UK Apple have staff forums, but these are continually shown to be ineffectual and feedback is ignored. It is a one-way conversation.

"We need our own representatives and a proper voice to change things. People are suffering with the cost-of-living crisis. We need a pay rise, pay transparency and a voice," they added.

There has reportedly been frustration over recent changes to scheduling resulting in workers struggling to find a work-life balance. Store staff in Glasgow also said they earn around £12 ($15) an hour and will demand a pay rise should union recognition be received.

Responding to news of the move by staff at Apple Glasgow, an Apple spokesperson was quoted as saying:

"We are fortunate to have incredible retail team members and we deeply value everything they bring to Apple.

"We are pleased to offer very strong compensation and benefits, including private healthcare, enhanced parental leaves, paid family leave, annual stock grants and many other benefits for every team member."

The news follows similar moves by Apple retail employees in the United States. Apple retail locations in Washington State, New York City, and Maryland are organizing and taking steps toward unionization. Employees want higher pay, more vacation time, better retirement options, and other benefits.

Apple has since agreed to improve working conditions for retail employees in the U.S. amid unionization efforts, but not before the company attempted to thwart employee efforts by disseminating anti-union videos.

(Thanks, David!)

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Apple has introduced several improvements to Focus modes in iOS 16, and one of them is the ability to link a custom Lock Screen to a particular Focus mode. With the wealth of personalization options that can now be applied to Lock Screens, this means you can customize them specifically to better reflect your focus.

One of the great things about iOS 16 is that it allows you to make Lock Screens more informative or functional, and then switch to your preferred one when you need to. For example, when you're at the office you might have a Lock Screen featuring work-focused widgets and a family photo. Or in the evening when you're winding down before bed, you might prefer a minimal Lock Screen with fewer widgets and a soothing sunset wallpaper.

The great thing is that by linking a Lock Screen to a Focus mode, you can make the switch to your custom Lock Screen happen automatically at a set time, or even a set location. As the image above shows, you can link Lock Screens to existing Focus modes by tapping the Focus button that appears in the Lock Screen gallery, which is accessed from your iPhone's currently active Lock Screen with a long press.

You can also select a Lock Screen in the course of creating a new Focus mode in Settings. Here's how it works in iOS 16.

Creating a Scheduled Focus With a Custom Lock Screen

In this example, we've already customized a Lock Screen that we want to become active when the work day is done, and now we're going to create a Focus mode to link it to by following the steps below.

1. On iPhone, go to Settings -> Focus, and tap the + icon in the top-right corner of the screen to create a new Focus.
2. Tap Custom in the next screen, proceed to give your Focus a name and related icon, then tap Next.
   
   

3. Set any notification silence options for people and apps when your Focus is active, then under "Customize Screens," choose the Lock Screen option.
4. Create a New Lock Screen from the gallery, or Choose From Existing Lock Screens.
5. With your Lock Screen linked, tap Add Automation under "Turn on Automatically."
   
   

6. In the New Automation screen, select Time.
7. Toggle on Schedule and choose the time that you want your Focus to become active and on which days of the week.
   
   

With your new Focus mode now scheduled, your associated Lock Screen will also become active at the same time.

Starting with iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, and tvOS 16, apps using Apple's video player are able to offer a native playback speed menu. The feature is optional for developers, however, so the functionality may not be available in some apps.

Apple's default playback speed options are 0.5×, 1.0×, 1.25×, 1.5×, and 2.0×, but developers are able to modify the list of speeds.

In supported iPhone and iPad apps, the playback speed menu can be reached by tapping the icon with three dots surrounded by a circle. In supported Mac apps, the menu can be found by clicking on "»" and selecting Playback Speed. In supported Apple TV apps, there is a new timer icon for playback speed to the left of the subtitles icon.

For developers, Apple says all apps using the new iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS SDKs will get this playback speed functionality automatically with no additional changes required. Developers wishing to disable the menu entirely can make use of new APIs added to AVPlayer, with more details available in this WWDC 2022 session video.

Some apps using a custom video player on iOS like YouTube already offer playback speed control, as do some Apple apps like the Developer app.

iPadOS 16, Apple's operating system that runs on the iPad, is getting almost all of the great features coming to iOS 16, but there are also iPad-specific additions that make the ‌iPad‌ more Mac-like than ever. In our latest YouTube video, we show off the five best features coming to the ‌iPad‌ this fall.

• Stage Manager - Stage Manager is a new multitasking interface that's also available on the Mac in macOS Ventura. ‌Stage Manager‌ supports multiple windows that are resizable, and it is a much different experience than the standard Split View. Your main app is front and center and others are right off to the left for easy access, plus you can group apps together and overlap windows for more control over your workspace. ‌Stage Manager‌ is unfortunately limited to the ‌iPad‌ models with an M1 chip.
• External Display Support - iPadOS 16 brings full external display support to the iPad Pro with ‌M1‌ chip, allowing that ‌iPad‌ to drive a display with up to 6K resolution. You can use a single external display with the ‌M1‌ ‌iPad Pro‌ running iPadOS 16.
• New Display Modes - For pros who need color accuracy, the 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ with Liquid Retina XDR display can provide reference color for popular color standards and video formats. The ‌iPad Pro‌ is able to serve as a secondary reference display for the Mac using Sidecar.
• Weather app - The Weather app has finally come to the ‌iPad‌, and it's pretty much identical to the iOS 16 Weather app. It can take advantage of the larger display of the ‌iPad‌ to provide more modules on one screen, and you can tap into any weather module to get additional information.
• Freeform app - Later this year, Apple will launch a new Freeform app that's designed to be a collaborative canvas for working on projects with others. It supports real-time collaboration and can be used for brainstorming, outlining new projects, and more. It supports Apple Pencil for a digital whiteboard experience, and it works with SharePlay in FaceTime and Messages.

What are your favorite iPadOS 16 features? Let us know in the comments.

Following the WWDC 2022 keynote event on Monday, Apple published iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura Preview pages outlining all of the new features. All three sites listed "HDR10+" support for the Apple TV app as an upcoming feature, but now that mention has been removed.

Apple this morning updated the iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura "All New Features" pages to scrub any mention of HDR10+ support for the ‌Apple TV‌ app. Here's what it said:

HDR10+ support
The latest generation of high dynamic range technology is now supported in the Apple TV app.

The removal of the HDR10+ mention from all three sites suggests that the feature is not coming to any version of the TV app after all. There is a chance that Apple could re-add this as a feature in the future, but for now, it looks like those who were anticipating the HDR10+ support feature will not be getting it in iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura.

Apple today released macOS Big Sur 11.6.7, a minor update to the macOS Big Sur operating system that preceded the current macOS Monterey release. The update is being made available to those with Macs that are still running the Big Sur operating system.

The new ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌macOS Big Sur‌‌‌‌‌‌ 11.6.7 update can be downloaded to all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Preferences.

According to Apple's release notes, the update addresses an issue that could cause Mail and apps like Microsoft Outlook to be unable to open attachments if the app required to open the file is already running.