Following more than five years of development, Apple's long-rumored 5G modem will debut in the fourth-generation iPhone SE, the so-called iPhone 17 Air, and low-end iPads next year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
A new iPhone SE, iPad Air, and entry-level iPad are expected to launch as early as March, while the iPhone 17 Air should be released in September.
In a detailed report about Apple's modem efforts today, Gurman said the chip will be able to achieve theoretical 5G download speeds of up to 4 Gbps, which would be slower than Qualcomm modems in current iPhones. However, real-world data speeds are far slower regardless, so this may be a non-issue. As previously rumored, Gurman said Apple's first 5G modem will not support the ultra-fast 5G standard known as mmWave, but he does expect the chip to maintain support for dual-SIM, dual-standby functionality.
Apple has already been secretly testing the new modem on devices deployed to hundreds of employees around the world, according to the report.
For now, the modem is not expected to be used in higher-end devices, such as the iPhone 17 Pro models. Apple's switch away from Qualcomm modems will have risks, as solid performance for phone calls and cellular data is crucial. By testing the modem with lower-end products, Apple can mitigate this risk. Early issues with prototypes of the modem, such as excessive heat and power consumption, are said to have been resolved.
On the other hand, the report outlined some advantages of Apple's first modem compared to the Qualcomm chips, including lower power consumption, improved cellular network scanning, and satellite connectivity enhancements.
While designed by Apple, the modem is said to be manufactured by iPhone chipmaker TSMC.
Apple is rumored to have been working on its own 5G modem for iPhones since at least 2018, as part of a plan to reduce and eventually eliminate its dependance on Qualcomm. Earlier this year, Apple extended its 5G modem supply agreement with Qualcomm for iPhone launches through March 2027. In line with that timeframe, Gurman said that Apple hopes that its in-house modem will overtake Qualcomm's technology by 2027.
In 2017, Apple sued Qualcomm over anticompetitive practices and $1 billion in unpaid royalty rebates. The two companies settled the lawsuit in 2019, and Apple acquired the majority of Intel's smartphone modem business that same year. That purchase provided Apple with a portfolio of cellular-related patents to bolster its development.
Cyber Week is coming to a close, but you can still find a few great deals on multiple Apple products and related accessories as we head into the weekend. This includes a new best-ever price on AirPods 4 with ANC, all-time lows on Apple Watch Series 10, and more.
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.
Amazon introduced a huge discount on the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation this week, and it's still available at just $138.99. That's a $40 discount and a new all-time low price on the latest model of AirPods.
Accessories
What's the deal? Save on accessories from Anker, Jackery, and more
Big holiday sales have been in full swing at multiple retailers online, and this week that included discounts from Anker, Jackery, Oura, Twelve South, and more. You can find all of these sales in our original post, but we've collected a few of the best below.
Oura Smart Ring - $314.10 with on-page coupon, down from $449.00
Amazon has the AirTag 4-Pack for $72.99 this week, down from $99.00. This is a solid second-best price on the accessory and it's only about $3 higher compared to the record low price.
Apple Watch Series 10
What's the deal? Take $69 off Apple Watch Series 10
Black Friday prices on the Apple Watch Series 10 have stuck around this week, and you'll find multiple case colors and band styles at $69 off both 42 and 46mm sizes on Amazon.
Beats
What's the deal? Take up to 52% off Beats headphones
One of the few Black Friday deals that stuck around this week was on Beats headphones and speakers. You can get as much as 52 percent off Beats Solo Buds, Studio Buds, Solo 4, and more in Amazon's sale.
Samsung
What's the deal? Save sitewide on Samsung monitors and more
Samsung's Cyber Week sale is reaching its end, but you can still find great deals sitewide on monitors, computers, refrigerators, TVs, and more.
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.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about top deals as we head into the holidays? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit this week upheld a lower court's dismissal of a lawsuit alleging that Apple illegally deceived customers into paying for iCloud storage, according to a court filing. The decision was reported by Law360.
The lawsuit alleged that Apple deceived customers into purchasing iCloud-enabled devices by misleading customers into believing that they can easily keep their iCloud storage usage below the free 5GB limit. In reality, the plaintiffs alleged that users quickly exceed this limit and then must pay for increasingly costly iCloud storage plans. In the U.S., these plans range from 50GB for $0.99 per month to 12TB for $59.99 per month.
In the ruling, three Ninth Circuit judges said the plaintiffs failed to establish that it is "virtually impossible" for them to reduce their storage, or that they will inevitably be forced to pay for iCloud storage. In fact, two named plaintiffs were still on the 5GB tier. The judges added that customers have the option to turn off iCloud at any time.
The case had been dismissed by a U.S. district court in Northern California back in May 2022, and now the appeal to the Ninth Circuit has been dismissed. Barring the extremely unlikely event that the plaintiffs are able to successfully petition the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case, the lawsuit is now over. However, Apple is still facing other iCloud-related lawsuits in both the U.S.and U.K., as complaints about the 5GB tier persist.
Apple launched iCloud in 2011, and the service has been available with 5GB of storage for free since then. By today's standards, 5GB is a low amount of storage, and Apple not increasing the free limit has long been a point of contention.
Microsoft has discontinued its Surface Studio 2+, marking the end of the company's only direct competitor to Apple's iMac, leaving a gap in the Windows ecosystem for high-end all-in-one PCs.
Microsoft has confirmed to Windows Central that it has ended production of the Surface Studio 2+, a premium all-in-one desktop designed for creative professionals. With remaining stock now limited to retailers and partners, there is likely no successor to the Studio 2+ planned. This effectively ends Microsoft's efforts to compete in the high-end all-in-one market dominated by Apple's iMac, a fixture of creative workspaces for decades.
First introduced in 2016, the Surface Studio formed an attempt to challenge Apple's hold on the creative professional market. Its standout feature was a 28-inch 4.5K PixelSense touchscreen mounted on a unique hinge that allowed the display to tilt into a flat, drafting-table position. Paired with accessories like the Surface Dial and Surface Pen, the Studio was designed to attract graphic designers, illustrators, and video editors. Despite its innovative design, the Surface Studio struggled to gain significant traction due to its steep price point, which started at $2,999 for the original model, and its reliance on hardware components that were frequently a generation behind current industry standards.
It's also notable that Microsoft has discontinued other Surface products such as the Surface Duo and Surface Earbuds. In recent years, Microsoft has pivoted toward productivity-focused hardware, such as its Surface Pro and Surface Laptop lines, and enterprise-oriented services like its Copilot AI tools. Meanwhile, Apple has continued to update the ever-popular iMac with new hardware, most recently with the M4 chip, new color options, a 12-megapixel camera with Center Stage and Desk View, and a nano-texture display option.
Microsoft's decision to discontinue the Surface Studio line could leave a void in the Windows all-in-one market. While companies like HP and Lenovo continue to produce all-in-one PCs, none match the Surface Studio's combination of touch capabilities, drafting-table functionality, and premium design.
TSMC has achieved better-than-expected results in trial production of its 2-nanometer chip technology, with yield rates exceeding 60%, according to Taiwanese supply chain sources (via Liberty Times Net). The news suggests the company is well-positioned to begin 2nm mass production in 2025, which could see its use in Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models the following year.
The semiconductor manufacturer is reportedly conducting risk trial production at its Baoshan facility in Hsinchu, northern Taiwan, where it has implemented a new nanosheet architecture that promises a significant advancement over the current 3nm FinFET process. The company plans to transfer this production experience to its Kaohsiung plant for mass manufacturing, according to the report.
TSMC's progress bodes well for Apple, with a September report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and a more recent rumor claiming that Apple's 2026 iPhone 18 Pro models will exclusively feature chips built on TSMC's 2nm process and 12GB of RAM. The standard iPhone 18 models are expected to continue using an enhanced 3nm process due to cost considerations.
The 2nm process is said to be generating substantial interest from potential customers, particularly in the AI sector. Indeed, company CEO C.C. Wei has noted unexpectedly high demand for the upcoming 2nm technology, suggesting production at scale will be ramped up as soon as is possible to meet that demand.
TSMC's roadmap includes the 2026 introduction of an A16 process (1.6nm-class – not to be confused with Apple's chip nomenclature), which will combine Super Power Rail (SPR) architecture with nanosheet transistors. SPR is expected to provide an 8% to 10% performance increase at the same voltage and complexity, a 15% to 20% power demand decrease at the same frequency and transistor count, and a 7% to 10% chip density increase, depending on the design.
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 lineup may bring some of the most significant display improvements we've seen in recent years. While the iPhone 17 series isn't expected until late 2025, multiple rumors suggest Apple is working on substantial screen upgrades across its entire smartphone range.
From enhanced refresh rates to advanced materials and improved power efficiency, these display changes could mark a notable shift in Apple's iPhone strategy. Here's a look at five major display upgrades reportedly coming to the iPhone 17 lineup.
Bigger Displays
Apple may introduce a new display size for the standard iPhone 17 in 2025, increasing the screen size from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches, matching the size of the iPhone 16 Pro. Rumors suggest the Plus model will be discontinued, leaving a single lower-cost option in the lineup. At 6.3 inches, this device would fall between the current 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus in size. If these changes occur, the iPhone 17 lineup could feature a 6.3-inch standard model, a 6.6-inch slim "Air" model, a 6.3-inch Pro model, and a 6.9-inch Pro Max model, offering a range of sizes to suit different preferences.
120Hz ProMotion Across the Lineup
Apple intends to expand ProMotion to all iPhone models in 2025, allowing all models to ramp up to a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and video content when necessary. Previously, only "Pro" models in Apple's iPhone lineup have had the feature. Notably, ProMotion would also enable the display on the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 "Air" to ramp down to a more power-efficient refresh rate as low as 1Hz, allowing for an always-on display that can show the Lock Screen's clock, widgets, notifications, and wallpaper even when the device is locked.
More Power-Efficient Screens
A recent unconfirmed rumor suggests that Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Pro models may feature a new display technology known as Low-Dielectric TEE (Transmission Electrically Enhanced). The term likely refers to the use of materials with a low dielectric constant in the display's thin-film encapsulation (TFE). While it's not yet clear what this specific innovation offers, incorporating low-dielectric materials can in general reduce signal interference and energy loss, leading to more efficient power usage and potentially longer battery life.
Scratch Resistant Anti-Reflective Display
The iPhone 17 will feature an anti-reflective display that is more scratch-resistant than Apple's Ceramic Shield found on iPhone 15 models, according to one rumor. The outer glass on the iPhone 17 is said to have a "super-hard anti-reflective layer" that is "more scratch-resistant." It's not clear whether Apple is planning to adopt the Gorilla Glass Armor that Samsung uses in its Galaxy S24 Ultra, but the description of Corning's latest technology matches the rumor. That said, it's worth keeping in mind that the new iPhone 16 Pro models have the latest-generation Ceramic Shield, which has an advanced formulation that is 2x tougher than glass on any other smartphone, according to Apple.
Smaller Dynamic Island
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a significantly narrower Dynamic Island, thanks to the device's adoption of a smaller "metalens" for the Face ID system, claims Haitong's Jeff Pu. While a traditional iPhone camera has curved lenses that redirect light towards the image sensor, a metalens is a thin and flat lens with microscopic patterns etched onto it that can focus light more precisely. Assuming this results in a narrowed Dynamic Island, it would be the first time that Apple has changed the feature since it debuted on the iPhone 14 Pro in 2022.
With iOS 18.1, Apple has introduced AI-powered notification summarization across all apps, which means your iPhone will automatically condense your alerts to show just the key details. The feature aims to reduce notification overload, but it doesn't always work as advertised. Keep reading to learn how to manage the feature.
Image credits: r/AppleIntelligenceFail
Powered by Apple Intelligence, the new summarization feature works by analyzing notification content and creating more concise versions that highlight the most important information. By default, it's enabled for compatible apps after you complete the initial setup process in iOS 18.1.
While Apple's AI summaries offer convenience, they've also produced some unexpectedly funny results. The system's struggle with emotional context and tone detection has led to some particularly amusing recap fails. As recorded in places like the subreddit r/AppleIntelligenceFail, when the algorithm misinterprets sarcasm, combines unrelated notifications, or fails to grasp logic, the results can be surprisingly entertaining (or not, depending on your sense of humor).
Customize or Disable Notification Summaries
Whether you've been tickled or confused by summaries, or they just don't appeal to your workflow, fortunately you can disable the feature entirely or customize which apps use the feature. This gives you complete control over how your notifications appear on the Lock Screen and in Notification Center on your iPhone.
Open Settings on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap Notifications.
Tap Summarize Previews.
Toggle off the switch at the top to completely disable Summarize Previews. Alternatively, toggle off the switches for individual apps only.
Things to Know About Notification Summaries
Turning off summarization doesn't affect other notification settings like grouping or Focus modes.
The feature only works on devices that support Apple Intelligence (iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, M-series iPads, iPad mini 7, and Macs with Apple silicon).
Disabling summaries returns notifications to their standard format immediately.
You can re-enable summarization at any time through Settings.
Keep in mind that notification summaries are separate from the Notification Summary feature that delivers scheduled batches of notifications at specific times. While they may seem similar, they serve different purposes in helping you manage your notifications more effectively.
A Brazilian federal court has overturned an antitrust ruling that would have required Apple to allow third-party payment systems in the App Store within 20 days.
The initial ruling, issued on November 26, came in response to a 2022 complaint from Latin American e-commerce platform MercadoLibre. The regulator had ordered Apple to remove restrictions on alternative payment systems and allow developers to market different payment options for in-app purchases, threatening daily fines of $43,000 for non-compliance.
But Judge Eduardo Santos da Rocha Penteado of the 14th Federal Civil Court on Thursday called the original decision by Brazil's competition regulator (Cade) "disproportionate and unnecessary."
In his decision, Penteado acknowledged that the measures demanded by Cade would "change, in a sensitive and structural way" Apple's business operations. He said that the technical complexity of the required changes and the global regulatory landscape, particularly similar decisions in the European Union, warranted a more thorough discussion.
The decision came hours after reports emerged of Apple appealing the original order, with the company arguing that the required changes were too complex to implement within the given time frame.
While the injunction has been overturned, the broader antitrust investigation into Apple's App Store practices will continue. Cade is expected to appeal the court's decision, and Apple could still eventually be required to implement changes to its App Store policies in Brazil.
The case follows similar regulatory challenges Apple faces globally, including a recent €1.8 billion fine from the European Commission over music streaming app restrictions. Apple has maintained throughout that the Brazilian regulator's demands would threaten user privacy and security.
OpenAI today announced the launch of ChatGPT Pro, a $200 per month subscription service that provides unlimited access to OpenAI o1, the company's newest and most advanced large language model.
The plan includes unlimited use of OpenAI o1, o1-mini, GPT-4o, and Advanced Voice, along with o1 pro mode, an o1 version that uses more compute to provide better answers to the hardest problems. In the future, ChatGPT Pro will gain "more powerful, compute-intensive productivity features."
The OpenAI o1 pro mode takes significantly more compute power to solve complex problems, which is why OpenAI is charging such a high fee. OpenAI says that o1 thinks longer for the "most reliable responses," performing better on ML benchmarks across math, science, and coding.
According to OpenAI, ChatGPT Pro is aimed at researchers, engineers, and other individuals who use research-grade intelligence on a daily basis.
Smart home company Meross today announced the launch of the Meross Matter Smart Home Thermostat, which can connect to a HomeKit setup using the Matter protocol. At $70 for a limited time, the device is an affordable HomeKit thermostat option.
The Smart Thermostat features a minimalist design with a white glass panel that has LEDs that show the temperature and other settings. It requires a C wire for power, and Meross says that it should work with 95 percent of heating and cooling systems in North America, including single and multi-stage furnaces, boilers, air conditioners, heat pumps, and fan coil units.
Because the thermostat integrates with HomeKit, temperature can be controlled through Siri voice commands, in the Apple Home app, or in the Meross app. There are also touch controls on the device itself.
Heating and cooling usage are tracked in the Meross app, and there is an option to save energy costs with a smart schedule that changes the temperature when people are away from home. It can also be used in automations with other HomeKit products.
Because the thermostat is Matter-enabled, it can also be controlled by Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings provided an appropriate Matter hub is available. Matter devices are able to be controlled by multiple ecosystems, which is useful in households where not everyone has an Apple device.
Meross plans to charge $99.99 for the Smart Thermostat, but it is currently available at a discounted $70 price.
Six former Apple employees have been charged with using a charity scheme to defraud Apple out of thousands of dollars, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney.
Apple has a program that will match or double employee donations made to charities, and the employees came up with a plan to make fake donations and collect money from Apple.
Ringleader Siu Kei Kwan had five other Apple employees make donations to the American Chinese International Cultural Exchange (ACICE) or Hop4Kids, both of which he was associated with. After Apple matched the donations, the original money was returned to the employees, and the matched money was kept. The employees also wrote off their fake charitable donations on their tax returns, earning them additional money.
Between July 1, 2018 and April 6, 2021, the employees collected approximately $152,000 from Apple's program and overreported $100,000 in charitable contributions as tax deductions. Apple detected the fraud and brought it to the attention of the district attorney's office. From Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen:
This case underscores our unwavering commitment to rigorously prosecuting individuals who defraud the tech community and misuse vital charitable programs and state resources. We commend Apple for coming forward and actively collaborating with our Office to uncover this elaborate fraud. We encourage others in the tech community to do the same. It's the holidays. Give - legally - to help the needy, not to help yourself.
The six former Apple employees who participated in the scheme have been charged with grand theft, conspiracy to commit felony grand theft, perjury, and tax fraud. Due to the amount of money involved, they face charges under California's aggravated white-collar crime enhancement.
If convicted the six are facing jail time, fines, and fees, including restitution for the money they collected.
If you're looking to get into the holiday spirit, developer Simon Støvring this week released Festivitas, a simple macOS app that lets you customize your Mac desktop with colorful string lights.
Festivitas adds lights to the Mac's dock and menu bar. Light size, distance, and cable thickness can be customized, as can the colors and the light changing sequence.
When Festivitas is first launched, it requires accessibility features to locate the dock and add the lights. Permissions can be revoked by going to System Settings > Privacy and Security > Accessibility.
Festivitas is compatible with Macs running macOS 14.6 and later, and it can be downloaded for four euros, which is equivalent to approximately $4.23.
Apple seeded the release candidate version of iOS 18.2 today, which means it's going to see a public launch imminently. Release candidates represent the final version of new software that will be provided to the public should no last minute bugs be found, and Apple includes release notes with the RC launch.
The iOS 18.2 release notes provide a look at all of the new features that are coming in the update, including Apple Intelligence additions that will be limited to newer iPhones, and changes that will be available to all iPhone users. Apple's full iOS 18.2 release notes:
Apple Intelligence (All iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max)
Image Playground - A new app that lets you use concepts, descriptions, and people from your photo library to create fun, playful images in multiple styles - Swipe through previews and choose from as you add concepts to your playground - Choose from animation and illustration styles when creating your image - Create images in Messages and Freeform, as well as third party apps - Images are synced in your Image Playground library across all your devices with iCloud
Genmoji - Genmoji allows you to create a custom emoji right from the keyboard - Genmoji are synced in your sticker drawer across all your devices with iCloud
ChatGPT support - ChatGPT from OpenAI can be accessed right from Siri or Writing Tools - Compose in Writing Tools allows you to create something from scratch with ChatGPT - Siri can tap into ChatGPT when relevant to provide you an answer - A ChatGPT account is not required and your requests will be anonymous and won't be used to train OpenAI's models - Sign in with ChatGPT to access your account benefits, and requests will be covered by OpenAI's data policies
- Image Wand turns sketches and handwritten or typed notes into images in Notes - Describe your change in Writing Tools allows you to suggest how you'd like something rewritten, for example as a poem - Camera Control (iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max) - Visual Intelligence with Camera Control helps you instantly learn about places or interact with information simply by pointing your iPhone at the object, with the option to tap into Google Search or ChatGPT - Camera Control two-stage shutter lets you lock focus and exposure in Camera when light pressing the Camera Control
Mail - Mail Categorization sorts your messages to help you prioritize the most important messages - Digest view groups all of the messages from one sender into a single bundle for easy browsing
Photos - Video viewing improvements, including the ability to scrub frame-by-frame and a setting to turn off auto-looping video playback - Improvements when navigating Collections views, including the ability to swipe right to go back to the previous view - Recently Viewed and Recently Shared album history can be cleared - Favorites album appears in the Utilities collection in addition to Pinned Collections
Safari - New background images to customize your Safari Start Page - Import and Export enables you to export your browsing data from Safari and import browsing data from another app into Safari - HTTPS Priority upgrades URLs to HTTPS whenever possible - File Download Live Activity shows the progress of a file download in the Dynamic Island and on your home screen
This update also includes the following improvements and bug fixes: - Voice Memos supports layered recording, letting you add vocals over an existing song idea without the need for headphones -- then import your two-track projects directly into Logic Pro (iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max) - Share Item Location in Find My helps you locate and recover misplaced items by easily and securely sharing the location of an AirTag or Find My network accessory with trusted third parties, such as airlines - Natural language search in Apple Music and Apple TV app lets you describe what you're looking for using any combination of categories like genres, moods, actors, decades, and more - Favorite Categories in Podcasts allows you to choose your favorite categories and get relevant show recommendations that you can easily access in your Library - Personalized Search page in Podcasts highlights the most relevant categories and editorially curated collections tailored to you - Sudoku for News+ Puzzles provided in three difficulty levels and available for News+ subscribers - Support for the Hearing Test feature on AirPods Pro 2 in Cyprus, Czechia, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Romania, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom - Support for the Hearing Aid feature on AirPods Pro 2 in United Arab Emirates - Pre-market price quotes in Stocks lets you track NASDAQ and NYSE tickers prior to market open - Fixes an issue where recently captured photos do not appear immediately in the All Photos grid - Fixes an issue where Night mode photos in Camera could appear degraded when capturing long exposures (iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max)
Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/100100
Apple is expected to release iOS 18.2 on Monday, December 9. It will be accompanied by iPadOS 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2, tvOS 18.2, watchOS 11.2, HomePod Software 18.2, and visionOS 2.2.
In watchOS 11.2, Apple has added a useful new feature that's designed to allow you to pause video that you're recording on the iPhone using the Camera Remote app on the Apple Watch.
The Camera Remote app has been available since the Apple Watch initially launched, and while there was an option to start and stop video recording, there wasn't an option to pause video and restart it. When a video recording is in progress, there is now a pause button on the left side of the Camera Remote interface. Tapping it pauses a video, and then tapping the red record button restarts the video.
Apple initially added a feature for pausing video recordings with the iPhone Camera app in iOS 18, and the watchOS 11.2 update expands that same functionality to the Apple Watch's Camera Remote app.
Other new additions in watchOS 11.2 include expanded support for tidal conditions and coastal locations in the Tides app in China. watchOS 11.2 will see a release alongside iOS 18.2 next Monday.
The upcoming iOS 18.2 update expands the hearing test feature on the AirPods Pro 2 to nine additional countries, including Cyprus, Czechia, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Romania, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, according to Apple. The feature first launched in the U.S. and select other countries in late October.
The five-minute test allows adults to identify if they have hearing loss by measuring their ability to hear different frequencies of sound. After completing the test, the results will show a hearing loss classification and recommended next steps. Apple has a support document with detailed information about the feature.
iOS 18.2 also expands the ability to use AirPods Pro 2 as a clinical-grade hearing aid to the United Arab Emirates, according to Apple.
All of the hearing health features on the AirPods Pro 2 require firmware version 7B19 or newer. Firmware updates are installed automatically on AirPods while they are charging and in Bluetooth range of an iPhone, iPad, or Mac connected to Wi-Fi.
Apple today released the final iOS 18.2 beta version, known as the Release Candidate, and the update should be widely released next week.
With the visionOS 2.2 update that's set to come out next week, Apple is introducing the promised Multiview feature that will let sports fans watch up to five games at once.
The Multiview feature for the Vision Pro works with MLS and MLB games, but other sports like football and hockey are not supported at this time. Apple offers MLS and MLB games through the Apple TV+ subscription service because it has partnerships with those leagues.
The update adds SharePlay integration so that Vision Pro wearers can view live sporting events together, including multiple games at the same time.
Along with the new Multiview and SharePlay features, visionOS 2.2 introduces two new Mac Virtual Display aspect ratios, including 21:9 (wide) and 32:9 (ultrawide), which Apple says is equivalent to two 5K monitors side by side.
Other new features include the option to route audio from the Mac to the Vision Pro and support for viewing spatial photos and videos that are embedded on web pages.
visionOS 2.2 is expected to launch on Monday, December 9.
With the iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2, tvOS 18.2, and HomePod 18.2 software updates, Apple has added a new natural language search feature for Apple Music and Apple TV.
In the Apple TV app, you can use casual language search terms to find exactly what you're looking for, typing in genres, actors, and moods. Searches like "movies about natural disasters," "movies with cats," "movies with Zendaya," and "exhilarating movies" all bring up relevant results.
The Apple Music app supports similar searches, and you can look for genres, moods, activity, decades, and more. Examples include "songs about cats," "songs with a vibe," "relaxing songs," "artists similar to Taylor Swift," "sad 80s songs," and "songs about food."
On the HomePod, Siri supports Apple Music natural language search so you can ask the personal assistant to play content based on moods and activities, just like you can on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, HomePod software 18.2, tvOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 are expected to be released to the public next week.
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 updates to developers and public beta testers for testing purposes, two weeks after releasing the fourth betas. Alongside the release candidate versions of the iPhone, iPad, and Mac operating system updates, Apple has also seeded the watchOS 11.2, tvOS 18.2, and HomePod Software 18.2 RCs. Release candidates represent the final version of beta software that's expected to see a public release should no notable bugs be found.
With iOS 18.2 and its sister updates, Apple is continuing to test the next phase of Apple Intelligence, with several new features available for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.
Image Playground
Image Playground is Apple's image generation app, and it can create images based on prompts. You can enter a description of what you want or use the built-in suggestions and concepts that Apple provides. Apple will suggest costumes, locations, items, and more to add to an image, and these concepts are intelligent and can draw inspiration from a Messages thread or content in the Notes app.
There are options to create characters that resemble your friends and family, and you can choose a photo for Image Playground to use as inspiration to create a related image. Elements added to Image Playground creations are previewed, and there is a preview history so you can undo a change and go back to a prior version.
While Image Playground is a standalone app, it is also integrated into Messages. Image Playground does not make photorealistic images and is instead limited to animation or illustration styles.
Image Wand
Image Wand is an Image Playground-related feature that's available in the Notes app. You can draw a rough sketch with the Apple Pencil or circle a blank space or a key phrase in a note to have Image Wand generate an appropriate image.
Genmoji
Genmoji are custom emoji characters that you can create based on descriptions and phrases. Like Image Playground creations, you can base them on your friends and family, with the data pulled from the People album in Photos. You can also make characters using basic elements, and you'll get multiple Genmoji suggestions to choose from. You can create Genmoji using the emoji keyboard.
Genmoji are limited iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 right now, but will be coming to macOS Sequoia later.
Siri ChatGPT Integration
Siri can integrate with ChatGPT for certain requests, but only with user approval. If Siri is unable to provide an answer to a query, Siri will hand the request over to ChatGPT. ChatGPT's answer will then be provided by Siri.
ChatGPT can be used to create content from scratch, including text and images. No account is required to use ChatGPT integration, and Apple and OpenAI do not store requests.
Visual Intelligence
iPhone 16 users have access to Visual Intelligence, a feature that provides information about what's around you. If you open the camera and point it at a restaurant, for example, you'll see opening hours and reviews.
Some other Visual Intelligence capabilities include reading text out loud, detecting phone numbers and addresses to add them to Contacts, copying text, and summarizing text. There is an option to search Google for where to buy a specific item that you see, and you can also point the camera at something and then get more information about it from ChatGPT.
Apple plans to expand this feature to include more functionality over time.
Writing Tools
Apple is enhancing the Writing Tools feature to add an option to make more open-ended changes. In iOS 18.1 and its sister updates, Writing Tools can only be used to change the tone to friendly, professional, and a more simplified version. In iOS 18.2, you can describe the tone or content change that you want to make, such as adding more action words, or turning an email into a poem.
More Languages
Apple Intelligence has gained support for localized English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, and the U.K., in addition to U.S. English.
Wait List
If you've already been testing Apple Intelligence and are opted in, you will have access to Writing Tools, ChatGPT integration, and Visual Intelligence automatically.
There is a secondary waiting list for early access to use Genmoji, Image Playground, and Image Wand. You can sign up to get access in Image Playground or in the areas where you access Genmoji or Image Wand.
When you request access, you are added to a wait list for all three capabilities and you'll get a notification when the features are available for you to use. Apple is rolling out access to the new image generation features over the coming weeks.
Availability and Compatibility
The iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 are available on all devices, but the Apple Intelligence features require a device capable of Apple Intelligence. Apple is still working on refining the new Apple Intelligence tools, and the company warns that Genmoji, Image Wand, and Image Playground can sometimes give you results you weren't expecting. Apple is collecting feedback on these experiences and will refine them over time.
Apple Intelligence requires an iPhone 15 Pro or any iPhone 16 model, an iPad with an M-series chip or an A17 Pro chip, or a Mac with an M-series chip.
Release Date
Apple is expected to release the iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2, watchOS 11.2, tvOS 18.2, and visionOS 2.2 updates next week.
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