Apple today seeded the sixth beta of an upcoming macOS 15 Sequoia update to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after the release of the fifth beta.
Registered developers can opt-in to the macOS Sequoia beta through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. An Apple ID associated with an Apple Developer account is required to get the beta.
macOS Sequoia includes iPhone Mirroring, which allows you to control your locked iPhone from your Mac. You can open and use iPhone apps, interact with notifications, and drag and drop files between your iPhone and Mac and vice versa.
There are new options for window tiling, and dragging a window to the edge of the display will suggest a tiled location to make it easier to use multiple apps at once. Apple is adding a Passwords app for managing passwords, Safari can summarize websites, surface key information, and Notes has support for live audio transcription and math equations.
All of the Apple Intelligence features coming to iOS 18 will also be available in macOS Sequoia, but Apple does not plan to add these until later in the beta testing process. Apple Intelligence includes Writing Tools for editing, proofreading, and summarizing text in apps, and an Image Playground allows for AI images to be created from prompts.
Custom emoji or "Genmoji" can be created for any situation and used just like emoji, and Siri is getting much smarter. Siri will be able to do more in apps and will better understand requests, especially those made in regard to on-screen content.
Apple today seeded the sixth beta of an upcoming watchOS 11 update to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming a week after the fifth beta was released.
To install the watchOS 11 update, developers need to open the Apple Watch app, go to the Software Update section under "General" in Settings, and toggle on the watchOS 11 Developer Beta. An Apple ID linked to a developer account is required.
Once beta updates have been activated, watchOS 11 can be downloaded under the same Software Update section. To install software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life and it must be placed on an Apple Watch charger.
watchOS 11 introduces a new Vitals app that aggregates health metrics collected during sleep like heart rate and respiratory rate, providing day-to-day health insights to track whether something has changed. There's also a Training Load feature for monitoring the intensity of workouts and how that impacts the body over time.
The Smart Stack has been updated with new widgets and support for Live Activities and Translate, plus it is better able to suggest widgets based on time and daily routine. The Photos watch face includes suggestions for the best images to use, and the Check In safety feature now works with Workouts.
Activity Rings can be customized to change the goals for each day, and there is an option to pause for rest days or when ill without losing an activity streak. Double Tap now works for navigating through apps with one hand, and Apple Maps lets users create their own walking and hiking routes.
Apple today released the sixth beta of an upcoming visionOS 2 update to developers, with the beta coming a week after the fifth beta.
Registered developers are able to opt into the betas by opening up the Settings app on their device, going to the Software Update Section, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option, and toggling on the Developer Beta. Note that an Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.
visionOS 2 is able to take the depth information from 2D photos and turn them into 3D photos using advanced machine learning. Apple says that the feature is meant to add depth to photos to make memories more immersive.
There are new hand gestures for activating the Home View and Control Center, and the Home View is also now customizable with apps able to be rearranged. Travel Mode now includes support for trains, and Guest User profiles are now saved for 30 days so guests don't have to do the setup process every time they try out the headset.
Later in the year, Mac Virtual Display will support higher resolution and larger sized virtual displays, which Apple says will be equivalent to two 4K monitors side by side. With an AirPlay update, the Vision Pro can serve as an AirPlay receiver, so content from the iPhone, iPad, or Mac can be shared to the headset.
The Mindfulness app can track and respond to breathing patterns using the camera for an improved meditation experience, and the Vision Pro supports Bluetooth mice with visionOS 2.
Apple today seeded the sixth beta of the upcoming tvOS 18 refresh to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming a week after the fifth beta came out.
Registered developers are able to download the tvOS 18 update by opting in to the beta through the Settings app on the Apple TV. A registered developer account is required.
tvOS 18 adds an InSight feature to the TV app, and it is able to provide real-time information about actors, music, and more in Apple TV+ shows and music. Enhanced Dialogue has been refined with machine learning and computational audio so it is better able to boost vocal clarity over background noise and music, plus it is now available on built-in TV speakers, AirPods, and other Bluetooth devices.
Subtitles will now show up automatically when relevant, such as when the TV's volume is muted, a show or movie is rewound, or when the language of a show doesn't match the device language.
Other new features include 21:9 aspect ratio support for projectors, new screen savers and improved controls for swapping screen savers, and support for Live Captions during FaceTime calls through an iPhone or iPad.
Patreon today confirmed upcoming changes to its iOS app, which will see fees for new subscriptions go up because Apple is enforcing its App Store rules on digital purchases. Apple is requiring Patreon to adopt the in-app purchase system, a process that Patreon started at the beginning of the year.
In January 2024, Patreon started using in-app purchases and paying Apple a 30 percent fee on digital products, but beginning in November, new Patreon memberships will also need to be done through in-app purchase and will be subject to the fee as well. Right now, when you subscribe to a creator through Patreon, Patreon directs you to a purchase flow that skirts built-in App Store payments, and Apple does not take a 30 percent cut.
To account for the 30 percent fee that Apple will collect, Patreon will give creators the option to either increase their prices just in the iOS app, or absorb the fee themselves, keeping prices the same across platforms. The changes to Patreon payments will only affect new memberships purchased through an iPhone or iPad from November onwards, and not existing subscribers.
Patreon says that the increased subscription fee will be the default option, and that it does not recommend that creators opt to absorb the fee themselves.
That said, you deserve the chance to decide whether that's something you want. So, while the automatic price increase is the default option, you also have the choice to keep your prices the same and pay the 30% fee from your earnings. We don't recommend this, because it means you'd earn less per membership on in-app iOS transactions - but ultimately we believe it's important to give you agency to make your own decisions.
Apple will collect a 30 percent App Store fee for all new memberships purchased via Patreon for iOS and for other digital goods purchased from a Patreon shop, and creators that use first-of-the-month billing or per-creation billing plans will need to swap to subscription billing for their iOS supporters because the in-app purchase system does not support the other flexible payment types.
Per-creation billing allows Patreon members to pay their membership amount for each paid post a creator makes, with a monthly maximum. First-of-the-month billing comes into play with subscription models where a creator allows an upfront fee to unlock a backlog of content, with future payments made on the first of the month.
Because of the limitations of in-app purchase subscriptions, Patreon is transitioning all of its creators to subscription billing, a process that it plans to complete by November 2025. Creators that already use the subscription model do not need to make changes, but creators using other methods will need to update.
Patreon says that if it does not adopt the in-app purchase system for all iOS transactions, it risks being kicked out of the App Store. As fees are not changing on other platforms such as the web and the Android app, Patreon suggests that creators send their fans to the Patreon Help Center article to explain the iOS fees compared to the fees on other platforms, so customers can "better understand the implications of where they choose to make their purchases."
It is worth noting that Apple's 30 percent cut of Patreon subscriptions will be higher than the amount that Patreon keeps from creators. Patreon keeps between 8% and 12% of paid membership subscriptions, along with payment processing fees. Patreon also collects five percent from digital product sales.
Apple will cut its fees from 30 percent to 15 percent after a subscription has lasted for one year, which is standard operating procedure for the in-app purchases. Apple has been cracking down on the sale of digital goods post-pandemic, and Facebook has also been required to pay Apple's in-app purchase fees for ad purchases on iOS devices.
Apple Maps is seemingly preparing for a significant expansion of its "Look Around" feature to compete more aggressively with Google's Street View.
Apple's "Look Around" feature offers high-resolution, interactive street-level imagery in the Maps app. To date, its scope has been relatively limited, mainly concentrated in major metropolitan areas and a few select regions worldwide.
A recent discovery by X user Ryan Fae, shared with MacRumors, reveals that Apple Maps' vector tile format, used in the beta version of the web-based platform, leaks information about future Look Around coverage areas. This information, found within the Maps app's underlying code, outlines a more extensive network of planned coverage that's far beyond what is currently available.
The leaked data shows that in the United States, Look Around coverage will no longer be confined to major cities. Instead, it will expand to include major highways, smaller cities, and rural areas. The findings also suggest that new countries are set to gain Look Around coverage as well, including Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, China, Belarus, Turkey, Bulgaria, Mexico, and Slovakia. The expansion into some of these places aligns with sightings of Apple mapping vehicles in 2023. For many of these regions, this would represent the first time high-quality street-level imagery has been made available, as Google's Street View either lacks coverage or is of low quality in these areas.
Apple's rumored iPhone 17 "Slim" could be positioned as an iPhone "Air" to boost sales, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained how the "fourth" model in the iPhone lineup since 2020 (the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone 15 Plus) has largely been a commercial failure. In the case of the Plus model, this is likely because it is just $100 less than the Pro, so most customers simply opt for the higher-end model.
There has been uncertainty in recent months about the intention of the so-called iPhone 17 "Slim" and its rumored position in the lineup. Last week, YouTuber Jon Prosser was first to suggest that the device could be positioned as an "iPhone Air." Now, Gurman seems to have supported this idea.
The iPhone 17 "Air" will represent a new approach to this fourth model in the lineup, offering a device with a substantially thinner design that sits between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro. Gurman compared the device to the original MacBook Air from 2008, which sat between the regular MacBook and MacBook Pro in the lineup.
The sales pitch will probably go like this: If you want something snazzier than a standard iPhone — but don't really need the performance, screen size or cameras of a Pro model — you can get something that looks much cooler while still having the specifications of a regular iPhone.
At minimum, Gurman expects the iPhone "Air" to be more popular than the iPhone mini and Plus devices from recent years.
Gurman added that the thinner design of the iPhone 17 "Air" will "just be a step toward something better" since Apple will eventually want to "squeeze the power of a Pro model into this smaller design." However, he does not expect this to occur before 2027 at the earliest.
Amazon today has a large collection of Apple Watch Series 9 models on sale at solid second-best prices, including both GPS and cellular devices. It's been a few weeks since we last tracked any notable markdowns on the Series 9, so if you've been waiting for a deal now is definitely the time to buy the wearable.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
You can get up to $100 off most Apple Watch Series 9 models right now on Amazon, starting at $299.00 for the 41mm GPS watches. We've rounded up all of the deals in lists below, focusing on the aluminum devices, but you can also find $100 discounts on a few stainless steel models as well.
The only versions of the Apple Watch Series 9 that aren't seeing any discounts this week are the 41mm cellular devices. Otherwise, you can get $100 off every other model of the wearable on Amazon. Most can be delivered as soon as the end of this week for Prime members.
LG is seeking compensation from Apple following the abrupt cancelation of the microLED Apple Watch due to the substantial investments it made in preparation of the project, The Elec reports.
As a result of the device's cancelation, LG Display has apparently been left with substantial sunk costs, including the expense of purchasing 14 U.S. patents related to microLED technology from Taiwan's Ultra Display. The company now faces potential claims from its equipment partners, some of whom had also invested in the project without formal contracts in place. LG also moved equipment from Gumi in Gyeongsangbuk-do to Paju in Gyeonggi-do, secured space for the microLED backplane process, and recruited specialized personnel to form a task force dedicated to the project. Overall, LG reportedly spent hundreds of billions of won to prepare for the microLED Apple Watch.
Apple's decision to cancel the project was reportedly based on concerns about the economic viability of microLED technology for the Apple Watch. Despite its potential advantages—such as brighter displays, improved color accuracy, and better power efficiency compared to existing OLED technology—Apple determined that the production costs associated with microLED were too high to justify its inclusion in the Apple Watch. There were also significant challenges related to the manufacturing process, which would have made it more difficult to produce the displays in the required quantities.
Apple's M3 MacBook Pro is seeing multiple high value discounts on Best Buy and Amazon today, with up to $1,000 off select models. This includes a new all-time low price on the entry-level M3 512GB 14-inch MacBook Pro at $1,299.00, down from $1,599.00, and a massive $1,000 discount on the high-end 16-inch model exclusively for Best Buy members.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy and Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Across the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro lineup you'll find $300-$400 off every model on both Best Buy and Amazon. In regards to the Best Buy discounts, most these do not require a My Best Buy Plus or Total membership and are available to all customers. The only exception is the M3 Pro 512GB model, which has an extra $100 discount exclusively for Best Buy members.
If you're shopping for the 16-inch M3 MacBook Pro, we're also tracking steep discounts on every model at both retailers. The biggest savings will be found on the M3 Max, 48GB RAM, 1TB SSD model at Best Buy, which is being discounted by $500 for all shoppers, and an extra $500 exclusively for My Best Buy members. This adds up to a massive $1,000 discount on the high-end 16-inch MacBook Pro, at the new record low price of $2,999.00.
Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
Update 8/12: Some of these deals, including the $1,000 discount on the M3 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro, have now expired on Best Buy. However, Amazon is still hosting a lot of the discounts as of Monday morning.
This weekend we're tracking a big collection of discounts on Bluetooth trackers, including Apple's own AirTag as well as Anker's more affordable brand of Eufy SmartTrack accessories. All of these deals can be found on Amazon.
AirTag
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.
Starting with the AirTag, you can get the 1 Pack for $23.99 and the 4 Pack of trackers for $72.99 on Amazon, down from $99.00. The 4 Pack price is an all-time low while the 1 Pack price is just shy of its all-time low.
Anyone who needs a Bluetooth tracker but wants to save a bit of money should look at Anker's Eufy brand of trackers, which are on sale on Amazon right now and compatible with Find My on Apple devices. These start at just $13.99 for one tracker and raise to $48.99 for a 4 Pack.
If you want a tracker that you can fit in a wallet, Eufy's SmartTrack Card is a great solution at $16.95, down from $29.99. Most of Eufy's trackers can be delivered between August 11 and August 15, and none of these deals require a coupon code in order to see the final sale prices.
Apple's work on iOS 18 continues, with a new Distraction Control feature and refinements for the Photos app, among other tweaks, coming in the latest beta. We're only about a month away from the official release, so Apple should be firming things up shortly.
In another news, we've known for a while that Apple is planning to update its entire Mac lineup with variants of the M4 chip, but we learned this week that the Mac mini is apparently set to get a redesign as part of its update, so read on below for details on this and all of our other top stories from this week!
Hands-On With Safari's New Distraction Control in the iOS 18 Beta
iOS 18 features a completely redesigned Photos app on the iPhone, but the changes have not been well received by all users. As a result, Apple has been making some tweaks to the app's user interface while the software update remains in beta testing.
Check out our list of everything new in iOS 18 beta 5 to learn more about the latest changes. iOS 18 should be widely released to the public in mid-September, alongside the launch of the iPhone 16 series.
M4 Mac Mini Rumored to Become Apple's Smallest Computer Ever With Complete Redesign
Gurman expects the new Mac mini to be released later this year. He said there will be two models of the computer, including one with the M4 chip that debuted in the iPad Pro, and one with an all-new M4 Pro chip.
Gurman said a plastic casing could allow for the Apple Watch SE to have a lower price, and a more kid-friendly design with colorful options. The next Apple Watch SE is expected to be announced in September.
15+ New Features Coming to the iOS 18 Messages App
You can now use any emoji as a Tapback, send messages over a satellite connection in certain locations, add text effects to individual words in a message, schedule messages to be sent later, and much more. iOS 18 also adds RCS support to the Messages app for an improved messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
The Photos app redesign has been one of the most controversial changes that Apple made in iOS 18, and Apple has made several updates during the beta testing process. There is an entirely new unified look for the Photos app compared to iOS 17, along with some neat new features.
This guide aggregates everything different with the iOS 18 Photos app, and it is up to date with Apple's latest changes.
Unified Design
iOS 18 does away with separate tabs in the Photos app, introducing an all-in-one view. The Photo Library is still the main focus of the app and what you'll see when you open up Photos, but you'll now scroll down to get to additional content rather than tapping on the separate For You and Albums tabs.
The Photo Library grid displays approximately 30 images at one time, and to use the swipe gestures to display fewer or more images on the screen, you need to swipe down to get to the full Photo Library view. From here, you can pinch in or out to adjust the view.
This is also where the Years and Months organizational options are for navigating through your past images. The Days option has been removed, and is instead accessible in a Recent Days Collection if you scroll down.
There is a quick access search icon in blue on every view in the Photos app, along with a Select button that lets you select multiple images for sharing, deleting, adding to an album, and more. Tap on Search to get into the Search interface, and Done when you're finished, or tap on Select and tap images to choose them.
You'll need to get used to swiping down to get to the full Photo Library view, and swiping back up to get to the other views in the app.
Below the main Photos grid, you can swipe to see different collections of images that previously would have been listed under the For You tab, along with your Albums, which were also previously located in a separate app section.
Much of what was in the prior version of the Photos app is still in the new one, but with a different all-in-one screen organizational structure.
Filters and Sorting
In the full Library View, which is accessible by swiping down, you can get to the filter and sort options. You can sort the Photo Library by either recently added or date captured.
The icon with two arrows houses filters, which include Favorites, Edited, Photos, Videos, and Screenshots. If you tap on one of these, you can filter out everything else to see just that category.
With the separate View Options tab, you can remove Screenshots and Shared With You images from your Photo Library. View Options also has Zoom In, Zoom Out, and Aspect Ratio Grid tools, all of which were in the prior version of the Photos app.
Collections and Customization
The iOS 18 Photos app is focused on Collections, which are basically different albums that aggregate photos based on subject, location, type, and other parameters. Everything outside of the photo grid is considered a "Collection."
Recent Days - Displays your recent images by date. You can scroll through or tap on the Collection name to see your entire Photo library organized by day. It's essentially equivalent to the Days view from the iOS 17 Photo Library design.
Albums - A collection of all of the albums you've created, including Shared albums you're in.
People and Pets - Albums organized by person or pet, with Apple using machine learning to detect the people in the images. The People and Pets album now supports Groups, so if you have many images featuring the same people, you'll see them grouped together. Groups are auto-generated if there are enough images, but you can also create them.
Memories - Houses the auto-generated slideshows that Apple creates, along with the new Apple Intelligence Memory Maker slideshows.
Trips - Shows your photos from different locations. Tapping into this Collection and then tapping the dates lets you see your trips by year.
Shared Albums - Albums that you share with others.
Pinned Collections - A selection of your favorite collections or albums.
Featured Photos - A rotating collection of your best images surfaced by the Photos app.
Media Types - Lets you see images recorded with different camera settings. Options include Videos, Selfies, Live Photos, Portrait, Panoramas, Slo-mo, Screenshots, Screen Recordings, Spatial, and RAW. This section used to be under the Albums tab.
Utilities - Essentially offers filters for different types of images, letting you quickly get to images with handwriting, receipts, and more.
Wallpaper Suggestions - Images that the Photos app thinks would make ideal wallpapers, complete with different tints, colors for the time, and fonts.
Customization
You can change the order that Collections are displayed under the Photos grid, so you can get to your most used features first. To do this, scroll down to the bottom of the Photos app and then tap on the Customize and Reorder option.
You can deselect a checkmark to remove a Collection, or tap and drag the three bars next to each Collection to rearrange the order. Tapping on X exits out of the menu and goes back to the main Photos view.
Pinned Collections
Pinned Collections is a collection of your other Collections and albums. You can add anything you want to the Pinned Collections section, including albums, media types, other collections, and Utilities. It's basically a way to get one-tap access to any Photos app category.
This is a good section for adding content you like to access that isn't already included in one of the default Collections, such as the Map that lets you see where all of your photos were taken.
If you often need to access your screenshots or your videos, those make good pinned collection options. You can also choose any person or pet from the People and Pets Collection, specific trips, and specific memories.
Customizing this section can be done by tapping on one of Apple's suggestions, which are in green, or tapping on the Any Collection or Album option to select something custom. To remove a Pinned Collection, tap on the red "-" button, and to rearrange, tap and drag on the three bar icon.
Pinned Collections stay in the Pinned Collections section, so you can't do something like turn a specific pet album into a separate Collection of its own.
Photo Editing
The interface for editing one of your images hasn't changed too much, but there are some updates. Rather than tapping on the "Edit" button at the top right of the app, you'll now need to tap on the icon that looks like three slider bars to get into the editing interface.
The Share Sheet icon and Delete icon are in the same spots, and there's still a heart for favoriting images and an info button that also transforms with a sparkle icon when there's something in the image that can be identified, like a plant or animal.
All of the same photo management features like Copy, Duplicate, Hide, Slideshow, and Add to Album can be accessed by tapping the three dots in the upper right corner. Tapping the X there now exits the editing view, which is a departure from the prior back arrow on the left side of the app.
Apple hasn't changed the actual editing tools, and they're all still in the same spots.
Utilities
In iOS 17, the Utilities album was limited to Imports, Duplicates, Hidden, and Recently Deleted, but in iOS 18, the new Utilities Collection houses a lot more image types.
Hidden - Images you've hidden from view in the photo grid. Requires a Face ID scan to access.
Recently Deleted - Images you've deleted in the last 30 days. Requires a Face ID scan to access.
Duplicates - If you have duplicate images, you can use this to merge them. This section doesn't show up if you don't have duplicate images.
Receipts - Shows pictures of receipts, or images your device thinks are receipts.
Handwriting - Displays all images that have handwriting in them.
Illustrations - Shows paintings and drawings.
QR Codes - Surfaces images that have QR codes in them.
Recently Saved - All images recently saved to your library.
Recently Viewed - All images you've looked at recently.
Recently Edited - All images you've edited recently.
Documents - Features images that have documents in them.
Imports - Shows imported images.
Map - Opens up the map where you can see all of your images based on location.
Recovered - This album only shows up if you have a missing image after an update, such as an image taken with a third-party app that didn't make it into your library.
Search Improvements
Apple made several improvements to the Search function in the Photos app. You can search using natural language, and get a lot more specific than before.
Not only can you search for a specific person, for example, you can find photos where they're only wearing blue, or were holding an ice cream. Some example search terms:
Me with food
Cats outside
Bugs on plants
Pancakes with banana
Flowers from last year
Cat in a box
You can essentially describe any photo that you remember and the Photos app might be able to find it based on your description. You can also now search for specific parts of videos that you've captured and the Photos app will go right to the scene in the video if it recognizes what you've typed.
For all of the search features, the Photos app needs to index your library because this is done on-device, and indexing can take quite a long time.
Memory Maker (Apple Intelligence)
Memory Maker is a feature that lets you create a custom Memory Movie from your photos and videos using a text prompt. You can get to the Memory Maker in the Memories Collection in the Photos app.
Tap on the "Create" option to start a new memory based on a phrase. You can type in something like "My cat over the years" "exploring Ireland," "yummy food," or "happy photos with Eric." The Photos app will search through your library for the best images, creating a mini narrative with a beginning, middle, and end.
Your memory will be set to music, with Apple selecting songs that go along with the topic. You can select a new song to go along with the memory, and if you have an Apple Music subscription, it will use Apple Music songs. You can also edit the timeline and the title for further customization.
Memory Movies can be shared on social networks or in messages, added to your Favorites, or AirPlayed to an Apple device.
Clean Up (Apple Intelligence)
Part of Apple Intelligence, Clean Up can be used to intelligently identify background objects in your photos so you can remove them with a tap. It's designed to help you quickly and easily eliminate distractions from your photos, but it's not coming until later this year.
Image Playground Integration (Apple Intelligence)
Image Playground, the app that will let you generate images based on text prompts, will integrate with the Photos app to create images that feature your friends and family members.
Image Playground is also an Apple Intelligence feature that will be coming in the future.
Google this week announced the Google TV Streamer as a replacement for the Chromecast, setting its sights on directly rivalling the Apple TV 4K, so how do the two devices compare?
Fundamentally, the Google TV Streamer is designed with a focus on deep integration with Google's ecosystem including services like Google Photos, YouTube, and Google Assistant. It is also positioned as a smart home hub, supporting Matter and Thread protocols to control a wide range of smart home devices.
In contrast, the Apple TV 4K is deeply embedded within Apple's ecosystem, providing access to services such as Apple Arcade and Apple Music, with support for features like HomeKit and AirPlay. Its compact, black puck design allows it to blend effortlessly into most home entertainment setups, while offering powerful performance with the A15 Bionic chip.
While both devices support 4K resolution and advanced HDR formats, they differ in their storage options, connectivity features, and additional functionalities. The Google TV Streamer emphasizes an AI-powered user experience with personalized content recommendations and generative AI screensavers, whereas the Apple TV 4K offers ecosystem advantages like Apple Arcade and Fitness+ for a more integrated Apple experience. All of the key differences between the two devices are listed below:
Google TV Streamer
Apple TV 4K
Designed to sit in front of the TV, with a noticeable design intended to blend with home decor
Compact, black puck design that can be easily hidden or integrated into a home entertainment system
Voice Remote with customizable button, textured back, and remote finder
Siri Remote with touch surface, volume control on face, and remote finder
Available in Hazel (Google Store exclusive) and Porcelain
Available in Black only
$99.99
$129 (Wi-Fi) $149 (Wi-Fi + Ethernet)
Releases September 24, 2024
Released November 4, 2022
Choosing between the Google TV Streamer and the Apple TV 4K ultimately depends on your specific needs and the ecosystem you are already invested in. For those deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem, the Google TV Streamer is clearly the best choice. It is designed to work seamlessly with Google services like Google Photos, YouTube, and Google Assistant, making it ideal for users who rely on these platforms. It also supports playback from external storage devices. The device's support for Matter and Thread protocols also makes it a strong contender for those with a smart home setup. Additionally, its AI-powered content recommendations and generative AI screensavers provide a personalized and modern user experience.
On the other hand, the Apple TV 4K is perfect for users who are heavily entrenched in the Apple ecosystem. With seamless access to Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple Music, FaceTime, and AirPlay, this device is tailored for those who use Apple devices and services. The A15 Bionic chip ensures excellent performance, making it suitable for users who require a particularly robust device for streaming and light gaming. The Apple TV 4K's compact design allows it to fit discreetly into any home entertainment setup, and its integration with HomeKit, Matter, and Thread makes it a strong choice for those looking to manage their smart home devices through Apple's ecosystem.
Each device has unique strengths that cater to slightly different user needs based on ecosystem. Ultimately, if your primary concern is deep integration with Google services and a focus on smart home connectivity, the Google TV Streamer is the way to go. Conversely, if you are looking for a device that offers powerful performance and extensive access to Apple services, the Apple TV 4K will be your best bet.
For people who have multiple devices to charge or who want a family charging hub, Scosche makes a BaseLynx modular charging kit that can be added to and upgraded as needed. The Baselynx has been around since 2020, but an updated 2.0 version came out last year with MagSafe support and Apple Watch fast charging.
There are multiple BaseLynx 2.0 components that can be purchased separately or in a bundle. The BaseLynx is made from a lightweight plastic material, but it doesn't look out of place in an office or home environment. Right now, the BaseLynx 2.0 is only available in white, but Scosche is working on a new Qi2 version that will come in black.
The BaseLynx 2.0 2-in-1 Stand features an upright MagSafe charger that can charge a compatible iPhone at up to 15W, plus it has a smaller platform at the bottom for charging Qi-compatible AirPods or other devices that don't need much power.
The BaseLynx 2.0 Watch is a magnetic Apple Watch charger that supports fast charging with compatible Apple Watch models. It has a simple design with a small curved arm that has the charging puck at the top.
The BaseLynx 2.0 Vert is the most versatile component in the setup, featuring three USB-C ports with a shared 60W output for charging iPads, iPhones, and other USB-C devices. The Vert has four metal bars with silicone padding to hold your devices in place while they charge.
You can stack three devices in the bars, though depending on the placement of other components, you might be able to fit one more. The Vert comes with one USB-C cable, but you'll need to supply other short cables to go along with it. I bought 12-inch and 6-inch cables, and found that 12 inches is the ideal cable size to use with the charger.
You plug one end of the cable into your device and the other end into the Vert, and then put it in one of the Vert's slots, so the cable needs to be long enough for that. Six inches is long enough for an iPhone, but not something larger like the iPad Pro. I definitely wish the USB-C ports were on the back of the Vert to better hide cabling for a cleaner look. With one port in use, a device gets the full 60W. With two, it's split into 30W, and with three, each port gets 20W.
There's also a BaseLynx 2.0 End Cap, which adds extra charging power to a BaseLynx setup. It has a 125V AC outlet for connecting laptop chargers or other devices, and a dedicated 67W USB-C port, both of which can be used at the same time. Because the Vert only has 60W of shared power, the End Cap is a better option for charging a laptop.
Each BaseLynx component comes with a removable cable component that snaps on to one side, and this is what's removed to connect more than one module together. Because each one can be charged individually, you can opt to use them in separate locations, but the idea is to connect multiple chargers together to create a customized charging station. With four modules, it is 13 inches long and 3.5 inches wide, so you do need a larger-sized desk or enough counter/table space to accommodate it. While I don't mind the design, it has a somewhat blocky aesthetic that might not be for everyone. In terms of space, it takes up less desk area than the multiple chargers I had before, and it offers a good balance of charging capability and space used.
The End Cap is designed to fit on the end, as the name suggestions, but the other components can fit together in any arrangement. There are connectors and holes on each piece (covered by the aforementioned cable components and snap-in protectors) that link together. The option to arrange the modules is nice because you can set it up in an optimal arrangement for your usage needs.
You can connect a surprising number of modules to a single setup, and Scosche uses a points-based system to make it simple. The Vert is five points, the 2-in-1 Stand is two points, the Watch charger is one point, and the End Cap is 0 points. Configurations can have fifteen total points, so you can connect three just Verts, two Verts, two 2-in-1 stands, and a Watch charger, or any other combination of components.
The setup that I tested with the Vert, 2-in-1 Stand, Watch charger and End Cap is eight points, so I could add additional components in the future if I need to charge more devices. With that kind of expandability, you can set up a charging station that can work for all members of your household or multiple people in an office.
Any setup of 15 points or less only needs one power source and one cable, so it significantly cuts down on cables that you need to plug in and have on your desk. Having fewer cables and needing fewer outlets is something that I love about the Scosche BaseLynx system. I have test devices so I have a few more Apple products than the average person, and it streamlined my desk setup.
With the BaseLynx setup that includes the End Cap, Vert, Apple Watch charger, and 2-in-1 charger, I can charge two iPhones (one is USB-C), an iPad Pro, an iPad mini, an Apple Watch, AirPods, and a Steam Deck. If I use a multi-port power adapter with the End Cap, that would expand a bit more. Most devices charge at maximum speed with this setup, though the iPad Pro is charging at 20W with all ports engaged, and the 13 Pro Max is limited to its maximum wireless charging speed.
I tested charging speeds for all of the components, and there were no surprises. The 2-in-1 Stand charged my iPhone from 0 to 38 percent in an hour in three tests, and from 0 to 39 percent in another two tests. The Apple Watch charger fast charged my Series 9 as expected (I charge in 20 minute increments twice a day), and in a timed test, it hit 70 percent in 30 minutes when starting from a dead battery. The Vert power split worked as described as well, with a 20/20/20 split with all three ports in use. Those ports are ideal for the iPhone and iPad, and I charge my MacBook Air and Steam Deck with the End Cap that supports 67W or a power adapter plugged into the included outlet.
Bottom Line
All of the components are useful, but if I had to choose one or two, the Vert and the End Cap are the most versatile. Having a multi-port stand for my larger devices that keeps them tucked out of the way frees up a lot of desktop space, and it's turned out to be very convenient. I have seen multi-port charging stations that are cheaper on Amazon, but most of these use USB-A and are bulkier than Scosche's system. It is worth noting that there are no USB-A ports available, so if you have things that charge with USB-A, you'll need a USB-C to USB-A adapter.
I don't think the design of the BaseLynx 2.0 is going to be for everyone, especially those who are not fans of upright chargers like the Vert or who don't have a need for multi-device charging, but if you do need to charge a lot of devices, it's space saving. I think it works best as a communal charging option in a centralized location, and that's probably what will appeal to most people.
As with most third-party charging solutions for Apple devices, the downside to Scosche's BaseLynx 2.0 is the price. The full kit is $280, and a standard kit is $180, with Apple selling both of these accessories. The other modules can be purchased separately, but prices are only cheaper if you only want one or two components. Even at these prices, if you have a lot of devices or want something that will work for multiple people in the family, the BaseLynx 2.0 setup is a good option. It's slim, it's modular and can be added to over time, and it keeps devices out of the way while they're charging.
Scosche previewed a Qi2 version of the BaseLynx 2.0 earlier this year, and it's set to come out later this year. Qi2 offers the same charging speed as MagSafe without the need for licensing Apple technology, so it is possible that model will be cheaper and it may be worth waiting for.
How to Buy
The BaseLynx 2.0 Pro Kit that has the End Cap, Vert, 2-in-1 Charger, and Apple Watch Charger is available for $280 from Apple, while the standard kit with Vert and 2-in-1 Charging Stand is available for $180. The individual components can be purchased directly from Scosche.
This week's best Apple-related deals are headlined by massive discounts across the M2 and M3 MacBook Air family, with as much as $249 off these computers. You'll also find great deals on AirPods Max, iPad, and iPad mini, plus savings on third-party accessories including Samsung's Smart Monitor M80D and Anker's new products.
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.
MacBook Air
What's the deal? Take up to $249 off M2 and M3 MacBook Air
The star deals of the week focused on both the M2 and M3 MacBook Air, with up to $249 off these computers on Amazon. In regards to the newer M3 models, you can get the 256GB 13-inch M3 MacBook Air for $849.98, and the 256GB 15-inch M3 MacBook Air for $1,049.98, both of which are best-ever prices on the computer.
Samsung Monitor
What's the deal? Take $251 off Samsung's Smart Monitor M80D
Amazon this week also introduced a new record low price on Samsung's 32-inch Smart Monitor M80D, which is the newest version of the monitor. It's available for $447.90 right now on Amazon, down from $699.99.
The best AirPods discount this week was on the AirPods Max, which hit $399.99 and is still available at this price in every color on Amazon. This is only about $5 higher compared to the low price we tracked during Prime Day in July.
Anker
What's the deal? Buy 2, get 15% off Anker's new Prime accessories
Anker introduced a new lineup of "Prime" accessories this week, and alongside the launch there's a bundle offer on the Anker website. If you buy two of the new devices, you can get 15 percent off your order. You can find the full list of compatible products for this BOGO deal in our original post.
Apple's 64GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 6 returned to its all-time low price of $379.99 this week on Amazon. This isn't the only model on sale either, you can also get the 256GB Wi-Fi tablet and both cellular models on sale for record low prices right now on Amazon.
Earlier in the week, Amazon discounted the 64GB Wi-Fi 9th generation iPad to $229.00, and this price has dropped even further as we head into the weekend. You can now get the iPad for $224.00, down from $329.00, making a new all-time low price.
Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
Apple updated its Apple Maps on the web feature to add support for the Firefox browser this week. Firefox users on Mac, PC, and iPad can now visit Apple Maps on the web, and the site works as intended.
Prior to yesterday, attempting to visit the Apple Maps website popped up an error message that the Firefox browser was not supported. Apple's support document for its web-based Maps feature now lists Safari, Edge, Chrome, and Firefox as supported browsers on Mac and iPad, and Edge, Chrome, and Firefox on Windows PCs.
Apple rolled out support for Apple Maps on the web in July, and it is available in a public beta capacity. The web interface can be used to get walking and driving directions, search for locations, find places to visit, view ratings and hours, and browse through a curated collection of Guides.
Apple has also added support for ordering food directly from the Maps app from supported restaurants, and discovering places to eat, shop, and explore in cities worldwide. Apple is working to introduce Look Around for street level location viewing in the coming months, and developers are able to link out to maps on the web in their apps.
Google Maps has long offered a web-based mapping option, but getting directions with Apple Maps has been limited to the Maps app on Apple devices. Apple Maps on the web can be found on the Apple Maps website.
Maps on the web is only available in English at the current time, but Apple will add support for additional languages in the future.
OpenAI on Thursday announced that ChatGPT now allows users to create up to two images per day for free, with no subscription required. The images are generated by OpenAI's image generation model DALL-E 3.
"Just ask ChatGPT to create an image for a slide deck, personalize a card for a friend, or show you what something looks like," said OpenAI, in a post shared on X.
Additional image generation with DALL-E 3 continues to require a ChatGPT Plus subscription, priced at $20 per month.
Apple previously announced that ChatGPT will be integrated into Siri across iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia starting later this year. Siri will be able to show ChatGPT answers directly in response to questions and other prompts, but the user will have to grant permission every single time they want to use ChatGPT via Siri.
ChatGPT will also be available within Apple's system-wide Writing Tools feature, allowing users to quickly generate text and images. Apple said ChatGPT will be powered by OpenAI's latest GPT-4o model on its software platforms.
iPhone, iPad, and Mac users will be able to use ChatGPT without creating an account, and this will presumably now include the ability to generate up to two images per day for free. ChatGPT Plus subscribers will be able to connect their accounts to access paid features on these devices, including additional image generation.
Apple ensured that OpenAI will not store ChatGPT requests made from its devices, and it said users' IP addresses will be obscured.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy and Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
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.
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.
