MacRumors

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss Apple's new MacBook Air models featuring the M3 chip.

We delve into the new machines' features, exploring upgrades such as the M3 chip, improved microphones, and more versatile external display support. We discuss the MacBook Air's ideal configurations and key buying decisions, weighing the new machines up against the MacBook Pro, and take a look at where the ‌MacBook Air‌ could be headed next amid reports of an significant upgrade to OLED display technology in the future. We also discuss the rest of Apple's rumored announcements for March, which include new OLED iPad Pro models, a new Apple Pencil, and a redesigned Magic Keyboard accessory.

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If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion about Apple's decision to cancel its long-rumored electric vehicle project.

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Apple's MacBook Air has undergone some major changes in recent years, including the switch to Apple silicon, a complete redesign, and the introduction of a 15-inch model, making it all the more important to consider if now is a good time to upgrade or if an older model will suffice for your needs.

Following its latest refresh, Apple discontinued the M1 13-inch ‌MacBook Air‌ from 2020 and the M2 15-inch ‌MacBook Air‌ from 2023. Now, customers can choose between the ‌M2‌ 13-inch ‌MacBook Air‌ from 2022 for $999, and the M3 13- and 15-inch MacBook Airs that were just introduced for $1,099 and $1,299, respectively.

See the breakdown below for each new feature, change, and improvement that was added with each ‌MacBook Air‌ model since 2018 compared to its direct predecessor:

MacBook Air (M3, 2024)

• M3 Chip
• 15% faster Neural Engine
• Support for AV1 decode
• New GPU architecture
• Dynamic Caching
• Hardware-accelerated ray tracing
• Hardware-accelerated mesh shading
• Support for up to two external displays when the lid is closed
• Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum microphone modes
• Enhanced voice clarity in audio and video calls
• Wi-Fi 6E
• Anodization seal to reduce fingerprints with Midnight finish

MacBook Air (M2, 2022/2023)

• Thinner design with flat lid, rounded bottom edges, and uniform thickness
• 13.6- or 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display
• Apple ‌M2‌ chip
• Up to 10-core GPU
• Hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes RAW
• ProRes encode and decode engine
• Up to 24GB unified memory
• 100GB/s memory bandwidth
• 500 nits brightness
• 1080p FaceTime HD camera
• Four-speaker sound system or six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers
• 3.5mm headphone jack with support for high-impedance headphones
• Bluetooth 5.3
• MagSafe 3
• Fast-charge capable with available 70W USB‑C Power Adapter
• Available in Silver, Space Gray, Starlight, and Midnight
• 1.24 kg (2.7 pounds) or 1.51 kg (3.3 pounds)

MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

• Apple ‌M1‌ chip
• 8-core CPU
• Up to 8-core GPU
• Media engine
• Hardware-accelerated H.264 and HEVC
• Video decode engine
• Video encode engine
• 16-core Neural Engine
• Up to 16GB unified memory
• 62.5GB/s memory bandwidth
• Wide colour (P3)
• Image signal processor with computational video
• Up to 18-hour battery life

MacBook Air (Intel, 2020)

• Up to Intel Core i7 processor
• Intel Iris Plus Graphics GPU
• Up to 2TB storage
• Magic Keyboard
• Bluetooth 5.0
• 1.29 kg (2.8 pounds)

MacBook Air (Intel, 2018)

• Tapered "wedge" design
• 13.3-inch Retina display
• Up to Intel Core i5 processor
• Up to 4-core CPU
• Intel UHD Graphics 617
• Up to 16GB memory
• Up to 1.5TB storage
• Butterfly Keyboard
• 400 nits brightness
• Full standard colour (sRGB)
• 720p ‌FaceTime‌ HD camera
• Stereo speakers
• 3.5mm headphone jack
• Wi‑Fi 6
• Bluetooth 4.2
• Up to 12-hour battery life
• Available in Silver, Space Gray, and Gold
• 1.25 kg (2.75 pounds)

‌M2‌ ‌MacBook Air‌ users have very little reason to upgrade to an M3 model unless they need absolute peak performance and don't want to buy a MacBook Pro, or perhaps if they purchased the 13-inch machine in 2022 and are now interested in the 15-inch M3 model.

Most ‌M1‌ ‌MacBook Air‌ users will stand to benefit from upgrading to the M3 model, especially if they are looking for a bigger screen and opt for the 15-inch model. These users would gain a much more modern design, a larger and brighter display, better performance, faster memory, a 1080p camera, improved speakers, ‌MagSafe‌ 3, fast-charging, and more. Nevertheless, some ‌M1‌ ‌MacBook Air‌ users may be better off waiting for the next major refresh if they are still happy with the machine, and upgrading is not essential.

• 13-Inch vs. 15-Inch M2 MacBook Air Buyer's Guide

For those who have an Intel-based ‌MacBook Air‌, either of the generations currently on sale represent a highly worthwhile upgrade spearheaded by Apple silicon for a major performance improvement and upgrading is recommended, with many of the above upgrades quickly stacking up.

Apple's upcoming redesigned iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models could include a front-facing camera positioned on the side of the device so that it is upright when in a landscape orientation, individual rumors suggest.

Currently, the ‌iPad Air‌ and both ‌iPad Pro‌ models in Apple's lineup feature a FaceTime camera on the top of the device, which puts the camera off-center when taking a ‌FaceTime‌ call in landscape mode.

Seemingly recognizing the issue, Apple on the 10th-generation ‌iPad‌ relocated the front-facing camera to the side of the device so that it would be usable in landscape mode rather than portrait mode. Apple has not launched an ‌iPad‌ since, but it appears that Apple could be making this change on future iPads as well.

In January of this year, code discovered in iOS 17.4 suggested the next ‌iPad Pro‌ could adopt a similar design for the ‌FaceTime‌ camera. "During ‌Face ID‌ setup, ‌iPad‌ needs to be in landscape with the camera at the top of the screen," read the code.

Now, occasional leaker Instant Digital on the Chinese social platform Weibo has claimed that this change is also coming to the two rumored new versions of the ‌iPad Air‌, in both 10.9 and 12.9-inch sizes.

How Apple has achieved this switch to a landscape ‌FaceTime‌ camera on the new ‌iPad‌ models is unclear, since the second-generation Apple Pencil connects to both the ‌iPad Air‌ and ‌iPad Pro‌ using an inductive magnetic charger along the same side.

But with Apple rumored to be launching a new ‌Apple Pencil‌ alongside the updated iPads, Apple may have come up with a solution to the issue. Either way, we should find out soon. Both the new ‌iPad Air‌ and OLED ‌iPad Pro‌ models are expected to launch as soon as this month.

This week saw the launch of Apple's latest notebook, the M3 MacBook Air, and Best Buy has the first discount for My Best Buy Plus/Total members. You can also find record low prices on HomePod, HomePod mini, MacBook Air, and the MagSafe Duo Charger in this week's best deals.

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.

Samsung

• What's the deal? Get $750 off Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K Smart Monitor
• Where can I get it? Samsung
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Early in the week, Samsung introduced a discount on the 27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K Smart Monitor, and today it's been discounted even more during the Discover Samsung sale. You can get this monitor for the new all-time low price of $849.99, down from $1,599.99. There are also deals on other monitors, smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and more in Samsung's sale.

Additionally, when you sign up to learn more about Samsung's upcoming TV and audio product lineup, you can get $100 off your purchase. The new slate of Samsung TVs and audio equipment is set to be unveiled on March 21, and this $100 discount offer will be available through that date.

M3 MacBook Air

• What's the deal? Get $50 off M3 MacBook Air
• Where can I get it? Best Buy
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Following the introduction of the 13-inch and 15-inch M3 MacBook Air this week, Best Buy became the first retailer with discounts on the new notebooks. The only caveat is that you'll need a My Best Buy Plus/Total membership to take advantage of the sales, which have $50 off these models.

M1 MacBook Air

• What's the deal? Get $250 off 13-inch M1 MacBook Air
• Where can I get it? Best Buy
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Apple discontinued the 13-inch M1 MacBook Air this week, but Best Buy has it at the all-time low price of $749.99 in all colors today, down from $999.99. Although nearly four years old, this version of the MacBook Air still has an Apple silicon chip and should be perfect for anyone who wants to prioritize saving money over having the latest and greatest product.

MagSafe

• What's the deal? Get $54 off MagSafe Duo and $12 off MagSafe Charger
• Where can I get it? Woot
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

You can get Apple's MagSafe Duo Charger for the all-time low price of $74.99 right now at Woot, down from $129.00. Woot also has the MagSafe Charger for $26.99, which is a solid second-best price. Both chargers are in new condition and come with a one year Apple limited warranty, and the MagSafe Charger comes in bulk packaging.

HomePod

• What's the deal? Get up to $30 off HomePod and HomePod mini
• Where can I get it? Best Buy

Finally, Best Buy today introduced the first discounts on the HomePod mini and HomePod that we've seen in months, and both are at all-time low prices. You can get the HomePod mini for $79.99 in all colors and the second generation HomePod for $269.99 in both colors.

Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.

The alleged design of the iPhone 16 Pro was today showcased in new CAD renders shared by 91Mobiles.

The drawings show a design that is similar to that of the iPhone 15 Pro, with a small number of changes relating to some of the buttons. The Action button is slightly longer, now resembling a similar length to one of the volume buttons, but with a slightly wider shape to distinguish it. The all-new "Capture" button is present on the left-hand side of the device where the mmWave antenna was located on previous models. While it is a similar length to the Side button, it is completely flush with the device.

91Mobiles previously revealed accurate CAD renders of the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro, but its Apple Watch Series 7 designs were ultimately incorrect. The website recently shared renders purporting to depict the design of the upcoming 12.9-inch iPad Air and the fourth-generation iPhone SE.

In January, MacRumors provided the first look at the design of the iPhone 16 Pro, including a Capture button that is flush with the side of the device, which was today broadly corroborated by 91Mobiles' CAD file. MacRumors subsequently obtained information suggesting that while Apple tested a longer Action button design, it has since scrapped the idea and the Action button is now expected to look virtually the same as on the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌.

The main change to the design of the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max is rumored to be larger displays, increasing from 6.1- to 6.3-inches and 6.7- to 6.9-inches, respectively. Following a significant redesign with the switch to a titanium frame and more rounded edges on the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ last year, little else is expected to change with the look of the new devices this year this year. The iPhone 16 lineup is expected to launch in the fall.

Google Chrome will soon let you install any webpage as a desktop app on your Mac, just like Apple's Safari browser does in macOS Sonoma (via Android Police).

The new feature was spotted by X (Twitter) user Leopeva64 in the latest Chrome Canary build, which includes a new option called "Install page as app," which can be found in Settings ➝ Save and share. Websites such as YouTube and Reddit which already have their own web apps will also automatically appear as optional installs in this menu.

Selecting the "Install page as app" option invokes a prompt to "Install app," as shown in the image below. Web apps are automatically saved in an Applications subfolder called Chrome Canary Apps, where they can be optionally dragged to the Dock in macOS.

Currently, Chrome's implementation of web apps is more sophisticated than Safari's, as it provides not only a simplified toolbar with navigation buttons, but also a pared down settings menu with options including Copy URL, Open in Chrome, Uninstall, Zoom, Print, Find and Edit, and Cast.

• Here's How Web Apps Work in macOS Sonoma

The feature is thanks to Chrome's long-standing support for Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), which Google originally embraced as a replacement for Chrome apps on the Google Play store.

Users can try out the feature before it goes live in the stable build of Chrome by downloading the latest Canary 124 update and enabling two new flags. To do so, copy and paste the following links into the address bar:

• chrome://flags/#web-app-universal-install
• chrome://flags/#shortcuts-not-apps

Chrome 123 is currently in beta and is expected to be released to the public imminently, so PWA support for webpages won't be in the upcoming version, but the next stable build after that.

Apple today announced the imminent opening of its eighth retail store in central Shanghai, China, which will be named Apple Jing'an.

Located on Nanjing West Road in the Jing'an District (named after its famous ancient Jing'an Temple), Apple Jing'an will become the 57th Apple store in mainland China and Apple says it's the company's second-largest flagship store after the Fifth Avenue location in New York City.

Embracing a floral theme, the storefront is currently draped in a veil of blooming flowers. To celebrate the opening, Apple has also made a special wallpaper for Apple devices available to download on its China website.

Apple has not yet revealed when the store will begin to welcome customers, but local reports suggest it will open its doors later this month.

Apple is currently grappling with a significant slump in demand for iPhone sales in the country, with a recent report by CounterPoint Research suggesting ‌iPhone‌ sales dropped by 24 percent in the first six weeks of 2024 alone.

Apple has ordered an initial 8.5 million OLED display panels from South Korean suppliers for its upcoming redesigned iPad Pro models, which are expected to arrive as soon as this month. The refresh will mark the biggest design update to the Pro lineup since 2018.

Apple is relying on different OLED display suppliers for the upcoming ~11-inch and ~13-inch iPad Pro models, with Samsung Display exclusively producing ~11-inch panels and LG Display making the ~13-inch panels. Based on current orders, Samsung will produce 4 million units in 2024, while LG will make 4.5 million units for the year, perhaps suggesting that the larger model is forecast to be slightly more popular.

Industry insiders claim the division of labor is due to changes in Apple's demand outlook for OLED iPad Pro models, as well as the unstable production capacity and yield of the two suppliers, which are both still getting to grips with Apple's requirement for new panel technologies.

Apple is rumored to be aiming for "unrivaled" display quality, as well as a design that cuts down on the thickness and weight of its ‌iPad Pro models. Recent leaked CAD drawings of the upcoming models offer a better idea of just how thin the tablets will be. The larger ‌iPad Pro‌, for example, will be over 1mm thinner.

The number of OLED panels Apple orders from Samsung and LG may change after production of the initial quantity, depending on fluctuations in production yield and possible adjustments to Apple's demand forecast for the new ‌OLED ‌iPad‌ Pro‌ models. Apple's latest shipments forecast is said to have been a decrease from the 10 million units that were projected for 2024 last year.

• OLED iPad Pro Price Hikes May Be Lower Than Early Reports Suggested

Apple's ‌iPad Pro‌ models are also expected to be upgraded with faster 3-nanometer M3 chips, and MagSafe charging is a possibility. Apple is also expected to sell the devices with a new Magic Keyboard and an upgraded Apple Pencil. For all the details, refer to our OLED iPad Pro guide.

(Via DigiTimes.)

In addition to releasing the latest macOS Sonoma 14.4 update on Thursday, Apple also released a new version of its Windows Migration Assistant software for PCs to include compatibility with the latest version of macOS.

Version 3.0.0.0 of the utility provides support for users looking to migrate their data from a PC running Windows 10 or later to Apple's latest Mac operating system. The assistant transfers users' contacts, calendars, email accounts, and more from a Windows machine and migrates the data to the appropriate places in macOS.

Version 2.4.5.0 remains available for users whose Mac is running macOS Ventura, macOS Monterey, or a version of macOS Sonoma earlier than 14.4. Versions of Windows Migration Assistant for macOS Big Sur and earlier also remain available. The macOS version of Migration Assistant lives in the Applications/Utilities folder.

Apple advises users to turn off any antivirus, firewall, or VPN software until the transfer of information is complete. For more information, consult Apple's updated support article.

Like iPhones, iPads, Macs, the Apple Watch, and the Apple TV, the HomePod and HomePod mini are updated with new software on a regular basis. The most recent update was released on March 7, and enables Siri to learn what your preferred media service is.

By default, updates are installed on your ‌HomePod‌ devices automatically, but there's also a way to force an update if new software is released. However, Apple's auto-update function isn't typically immediate, so it can sometimes be handy to have a way to manually install software when you know an update has become available.

Locating ‌HomePod‌ updates and checking on the software version you have installed is pretty simple, but it's not entirely intuitive because the update function is buried in the Home app.

The following steps show you how to update your ‌HomePod‌ on devices running iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 and later.

1. Open the Home app.
2. Tap on the icon that looks like three dots in the upper right corner.
3. Tap Home Settings in the dropdown menu that appears.
4. Scroll down and tap Software Update to see if there are any available updates.

Once you've selected "Software Update," you'll be able to see the current version of the ‌HomePod‌ software that you have installed, along with available updates, and you can toggle off automatic updates if you want.

If there is an available update, you just need to tap the Install button to update your ‌HomePod‌. If you have multiple HomePods in your home, each one will be updated at the same time through this software update feature. If you're registered for ‌HomePod‌ Beta Updates, a menu option will also appear here for updating individual HomePods.

Starting today, Apple's refreshed MacBook Air models with M3 chips are available for same-day or next-day pickup at Apple Stores, with no pre-order required. Online orders are also beginning to arrive to customers today.

Customers across the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and other regions can now place an order on Apple's website or in the Apple Store app and arrange for in-store pickup at a local retail location.

To order a product with ‌Apple Store‌ pickup, add the product to your bag on Apple.com, proceed to checkout, select the "I'll pick it up" option, enter your ZIP code, choose an available ‌Apple Store‌ location, and select a pickup date. Payment is completed online, and a valid government-issued photo ID and the order number may be required upon pickup.

In addition to the M3 chip, the new 13-inch and 15-inch ‌‌MacBook Air‌ models‌ offer Wi-Fi 6E, Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum microphone modes, enhanced voice clarity in audio and video calls, and a more fingerprint-resistant finish with the Midnight color option. They also now support up to two external displays when the laptop lid is closed, increasing from just a single external display on the previous Apple silicon models.

There are no major external design changes to the M3 ‌MacBook Air‌ models, which continue to be available in Midnight, Starlight, Space Gray, and Silver colors. Pricing for the 13-inch ‌MacBook Air‌ starts at $1,099, while the 15-inch ‌MacBook Air‌ starts at $1,299.

It is Friday, March 8 in New Zealand and Australia, which means customers who pre-ordered one of the new machines in those two countries are receiving their MacBook Air models.

Introduced on Monday of this week, the updated 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch ‌MacBook Air‌ models are equipped with the same M3 chip that was introduced in the MacBook Pro late last year.

• M2 vs. M3 MacBook Air Buyer's Guide: All Differences Compared

There are no external changes to the ‌MacBook Air‌, with Apple instead focusing on internal updates. The M3 chip is up to 30 percent faster than the M2 chip in terms of CPU performance, and there are notable GPU improvements with Apple adding support for Dynamic Caching, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, hardware-accelerated mesh shading, and support for AV1 decode.

Other improvements to the ‌MacBook Air‌ include support for two external displays when the machine is used in clamshell mode, support for Wi-Fi 6E, enhanced voice clarity for audio and video calls, and a new anodization seal to reduce fingerprints on the Midnight finish.

Apple retail stores in Australia are selling the new ‌MacBook Air‌ machines, and there is plenty of stock for walk-in customers. Apple does not operate stores in New Zealand, so customers in that country need to order online.

Following New Zealand and Australia, sales and deliveries of the new ‌‌MacBook Air‌ models will launch in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and finally, North America.

We'll be sharing a hands-on review of the new M3 ‌MacBook Air‌ in the morning after picking up one of the new devices.

The new MacBook Air models that are set to be released tomorrow will have a day-one update, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.

Both the 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch ‌MacBook Air‌ models that are set to launch tomorrow are running a special build of macOS Sonoma 14.3, with a version number of 23D2057.

Users will be prompted to update to ‌macOS Sonoma‌ 14.4 tomorrow, as the software saw a public release today. Given the timing of the software's launch and the debut of the new ‌MacBook Air‌ models, Apple was not able to get the ‌macOS Sonoma‌ 14.4 update installed on them.

Apple's M3 ‌MacBook Air‌ models are priced starting at $1099 for the 13-inch version and $1299 for the 15-inch version. Customers who pre-ordered will receive their machines on March 8, which is also when the new ‌MacBook Air‌ models will be available in Apple retail locations.

With every operating system release, Apple aims to make apps more accessible and easier to navigate by providing a variety of new accessibility features and settings. iOS 18 (Codename Crystal) and macOS 15 (Codename Glow) will be no exception, and work on accessibility-related enhancements is well underway.

Through our industry sources, MacRumors has obtained information on some of the key accessibility improvements Apple has in store for its userbase. Apple is working on several new accessibility features along with improvements to existing settings, both of which should be available later this year.

Adaptive Voice Shortcuts

This feature will allow users to map a unique spoken phrase to an accessibility setting. Users will be given the option to create a custom phrase and select the accessibility setting they wish to toggle by speaking said phrase. By using Adaptive Voice Shortcuts, users will be able to toggle existing accessibility features such as VoiceOver, Voice Control, Zoom and so on.

New "Categories" Section for Live Speech

The Live Speech feature, which is already present in Apple's operating systems, will receive a new section for user-created categories. Users will be able to organize phrases into categories of their choosing. When creating a category, users will be given the option to name their category and choose from a selection of around 20 different icons. Once a category has been created, users will then be able to add their desired phrases.

More Apps Will Support Custom Font Sizes

Apple intends to expand app support for adjustable Text Size, which is an existing feature. Located within the "Display" section of the "Accessibility" settings pane, the option allows users to choose custom font sizes for individual apps and select their preferred font size for reading.

macOS Sonoma currently supports custom font sizes for the following five apps:

• Calendar
  

• Finder
  

• Mail
  

• Messages
  

• Notes

With macOS 15, this feature will expand support to five additional apps:

• Books
  

• News
  

• Stocks
  

• Tips
  

• Weather

Speaking to MacRumors, sources familiar with custom font sizes have said that Apple is internally testing an option to alter the font size of the menu bar within macOS, but it is unclear if the company will make this option available to end users. We were also told that Apple has additional accessibility features in the works, one of which utilizes on-device eye tracking, though further details were not available at the time of writing. More information should come to light as OS development continues in preparation for WWDC 2024.

It is important to note that while these features are in development, it does not necessarily mean we will see them later this year. Apple has been known to cancel various projects that do not meet their standards, for one reason or another. For additional information on what to expect with this year's new OS releases, check out our dedicated rumor roundup for iOS 18.

In addition to adding support for alternative app marketplaces and alternative payment methods in the European Union, Apple is making several other changes to comply with the terms of the Digital Markets Act. Apple today outlined some of its upcoming plans in a DMA Compliance Report [PDF].

Apple is going to make it easier for iPhone users to switch over to another operating system in the European Union. Apple says it is working on a solution that will help mobile operating system providers create "more user-friendly solutions" for transferring data from an ‌iPhone‌ to a non-Apple phone. The solution will be available by fall 2025, after which point companies like Samsung and Google will be able to offer better tools for transferring data from an ‌iPhone‌.

EU ‌iPhone‌ users will be able to remove Safari from their devices entirely starting at the end of 2024, with an alternate browser able to take the place of Safari. As part of this plan, Apple is developing a browser switching solution for exporting and importing browser data into another browser on the same device. Apple has already began supporting alternative web browser engines, another DMA requirement.

To improve interoperability between ‌iPhone‌ and other smartphone platforms, Apple is allowing third-party payment apps to access the ‌iPhone‌'s NFC chip for contactless payments that are not done through Apple Pay, plus it is allowing developers to submit requests for additional interoperability.

Interoperability requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine whether they are under the scope of the DMA, and if an effective interoperability solution can be developed.

Developers in the EU are able to request additional mediation that goes beyond the standard App Review Board evaluation. Developers who want to contest unsuccessful appeals to the App Review Board can request mediation, a process that Apple says is "EU-based, easily accessible, impartial, independent, and free-of-charge."

All of these changes are limited to developers and users in the European Union as they are required by the Digital Markets Act.

Apple today released macOS Sonoma 14.4, the fourth major update to the ‌macOS Sonoma‌ operating system that launched last September. ‌macOS Sonoma‌ 14.4 comes over a month after ‌macOS Sonoma‌ 14.3, an update that brought collaborative Apple Music playlists.

The ‌‌‌‌‌macOS Sonoma‌‌‌ 14.4‌ update can be downloaded for free on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Settings. There's also a macOS 13.6.5 release for those who are still running macOS Ventura and a macOS 12.7.4 release for those who have macOS Monterey installed.

With ‌macOS Sonoma‌ 14.4, Apple is introducing new emoji characters and adding support for reading Podcast Episode text in full with search support. There are new features for Business Updates in Messages, along with a toggle for showing only icons for websites in the Safari Favorites Bar. Apple's release notes for the update are below.

macOS Sonoma 14.4 introduces new emoji as well as other features, bug fixes, and security updates for your Mac.

Emoji
- New mushroom, phoenix, lime, broken chain, and shaking heads emoji are now available in emoji keyboard
- 18 people and body emoji support facing the opposite direction

This update also includes the following improvements and bug fixes:
- Podcasts Episode text can be read in full, searched for a word or phrase, clicked to play from a specific point and used with accessibility features such as Text Size, Increase Contrast, and VoiceOver
- Business Updates in Messages for Business let you get updates that you've opted into, like order status, flight notifications, fraud alerts or other transactions from trusted businesses
- Safari Favorites Bar adds an option to show only icons for websites

Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices.

For detailed information about the security content of this update, please visit: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

More information on the features that have been introduced in ‌macOS Sonoma‌ to date can be found in our macOS Sonoma roundup.

Apple today released watchOS 10.4, the fourth update to the watchOS 10 operating system that was released in September. watchOS 10.4 comes over a month after watchOS 10.3, a minor update that brought a new watch face.

‌‌watchOS 10‌‌‌.4 can be downloaded for free through the Apple Watch app on an iPhone running iOS 17 or later by opening it up and going to General & Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery and it needs to be placed on a charger.

watchOS 10.4 adds support for new emoji characters that were also added to the ‌iPhone‌, including lime, edible brown mushroom, phoenix, broken chain, shaking head vertically (as in a "yes" nod), and shaking head horizontally (a "no" head shake).

There is also a Setting to disable the Double Tap feature on Apple Watch when using Vision Pro, and an option to double tap to show an expanded notification. Apple also included a fix for a bug that could cause some users to experience "ghost touches" on the display, a problem that was affecting the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2.

Apple's release notes for the update are below:

watchOS 10.4 includes new features, improvements, and bug fixes, including:
- Tap to Show Full Notification setting now allows you to double tap to expand the notification
- Using Apple Pay with Confirm with AssistiveTouch will require a passcode for additional security and will not support double clicking the side button
- Resolves an issue that causes some users to experience false touches on the display
- Fixes an issue that prevents contacts from syncing to Apple Watch for some users

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

More on the features that have been added in ‌watchOS 10‌ to date can be found in our dedicated roundup.

Apple today released new software for the HomePod and the HomePod mini, debuting ‌HomePod‌ Software 17.4. The update comes over a month after the last ‌HomePod‌ software release.

With ‌HomePod‌ Software 17.4, Siri is able to learn what a user's preferred media service is, eliminating the need to set a third-party app as the default or include an app name when asking ‌Siri‌ to play content.

This update enables Siri to learn your preferred media service, so you no longer need to include the name of the media app in your request.

Apple has removed the Home app option that let users select a default media service as a result of the new feature addition. The change brings the ‌HomePod‌ in line with the iPhone and the iPad, which already offer the option to provide a default music service selection to ‌Siri‌ when making a song request for the first time.

Third-party apps that work directly with the ‌‌HomePod‌‌ include YouTube Music, Deezer, Pandora, TuneIn, and iHeartRadio. Streaming music services need to support ‌‌HomePod‌‌ for the feature to work, and not all do, such as Spotify. You can play Spotify content on the ‌HomePod‌ by asking ‌Siri‌, but it routes the song through the ‌iPhone‌ to the ‌HomePod‌ over AirPlay.

Along with ‌‌Siri‌‌ support for a preferred music service, the ‌‌HomePod‌‌ 17.4 update also includes performance and stability improvements.