Apple today released a revised version of the AirTags firmware that was first provided to AirTags owners last week. The new internal build number is 1A291c, up from 1A291a.
We don't know what's included in the new firmware and no new features were found following the first release, so it likely focuses on bug fixes and other under-the-hood improvements.
There is no way to force an AirTag update, as it's something that's done over-the-air through a connected iPhone. To make sure the update happens, you can put your AirTag in range of your iPhone, but you have to wait for the firmware to roll out to your device.
The popular endless hopper Crossy Road from Hipster Whale is coming soon to Apple Arcade. A release date has not been announced at this time, but users can sign up to be notified when the game becomes available through the App Store.
Similar to Frogger, Crossy Road tasks players with crossing a road bustling with traffic and obstacles, and there are many adorable characters to choose from, ranging from a chicken to a penguin. As with all games available through the service, the Apple Arcade version of Crossy Road will not have any ads or in-app purchases available.
Crossy Road was among the first games announced for the fourth-generation Apple TV alongside the introduction of the tvOS App Store back in September 2015. However, it appears the Apple Arcade edition of the game will be limited to the iPhone and iPad.
A variation of the game titled Crossy Road Castle, an endless runner/platformer combo, launched on Apple Arcade in February 2020.
Priced at $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year, Apple Arcade provides access to a catalog of over 200 games without ads or in-app purchases across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, with additional titles added periodically.
Apple today seeded the eighth betas of iOS and iPadOS 15 to developers for testing purposes, with the updates coming one week after Apple released the seventh betas.
Registered developers can download the profile for the iOS and iPadOS betas from the Apple Developer Center, and once the profile is installed, beta updates will be available over the air.
iOS 15 is a major update that introduces a slew of new features focused on cutting down on distractions and spending more time with friends and family.
FaceTime has a revamped interface with new SharePlay features for listening to music, watching videos, and sharing your screen with your friends and family members, though this is delayed until after the launch of iOS 15. In Messages, if something like a url, photo, news article, or song is shared with you, you can see the content in Apple's dedicated apps through a new Shared With You Feature.
Focus lets you create custom notification modes that hide irrelevant apps and notifications when you're doing things like working or spending time with your family so you can better focus on the activity at hand, and there's a new notification summary that de-prioritizes less important notifications so you're not constantly inundated with information.
Maps includes a new 3D view in select cities that lets you see 3D landmarks, there are immersive AR directions when walking, and driving directions are better than ever, especially at complex interchanges.
Safari has been redesigned with a new look that moves the Tab Bar to the bottom of the interface (though this is optional), plus it now supports Tab Groups for improved organization, and extensions can be used in Safari for iOS devices for the first time. Later this year you'll be able to add your ID card to the Wallet app in some U.S. states, and Apple is making it easier to add key cards for hotels, smart home locks, and more to the Wallet app.
Spotlight is better than ever and can bring up more tailored search results, and Photos has a "Live Text" feature that lets you take a photo of something with text like a receipt to translate it into typed text on your iPhone. Photos can also identify landmarks, books, plants, and pets, so you can snap a photo of a plant and get information on what it might be.
Apple has also added multiple privacy improvements, such as a new App Privacy report coming to the iPhone that will let you know how often apps access sensitive info like your location, a Mail feature that hides your IP address, and Siri processing that's done on device.
For a complete overview of everything that's new in iOS 15, we have a dedicated roundup that walks through all of the new features, and Apple has been adding feature refinements throughout the beta testing period. The sixth beta, for example, overhauled the design of Safari and added a toggle to disable changes introduced in earlier betas. In the seventh beta, Apple said that iCloud Private Relay will be introduced as a beta feature at launch.
Apple today seeded the eighth beta of the upcoming watchOS 8 update to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming one week after Apple released the seventh watchOS 8 beta.
To install watchOS 8, developers will need to download the configuration profile from the Apple Developer Center. Once installed, watchOS 8 can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software update.
To update to new software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life, it must be placed on the charger, and it needs to be in range of the iPhone. It's not recommended to install watchOS 8 on a main Apple Watch as the software may be unstable at this early date.
watchOS 8 has several new features that are extensions of new features introduced in iOS 15. There are improvements to Wallet that allow it to hold keys for unlocking hotel, car, and home doors, plus Apple will let U.S. users add their IDs to Wallet later this year.
Apple overhauled the Home app, and for the Workout app, there are new Tai Chi and Pilates workout types, and the Breathe app has been renamed to Mindfulness thanks to a new Reflect session that invites users to get into a positive state of mind. When sleeping, the Apple Watch now measures respiratory rate.
Focus mode from iOS 15 syncs to the watch so users can stay on task, and in the Messages app, Scribble, dictation, and emojis can be combined within the same message, making it easier to communicate. Dictated text can be edited, and GIFs can be sent right from the watch.
There's a new Portrait watch face, and the Photos app has been updated with support for Memories and Featured Photos. A new Find My app lets items be located right on the wrist, and there are also new updates for Music, Weather, Timers, and more, along with a new Contacts app.
Apple today seeded the eighth beta of the upcoming tvOS 15 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new beta coming one week released the seventh beta.
Developers can download the new tvOS 15 beta by downloading a profile onto the Apple TV using Xcode.
Apple shared little about tvOS 15 when it was unveiled, but there are some new features that are coming to the operating system. SharePlay, a FaceTime feature that lets multiple users watch TV shows or movies together, will integrate with tvOS, and there's a new "For All of You" recommendation engine that suggests shows everyone might enjoy.
A Shared With You section also displays movies and shows that were shared with you through the Messages app so you remember to check them out. When paired with AirPods Pro or AirPods Max, the Apple TV supports Spatial audio for a theater-like surround sound experience, and there's a new feature for automatically connecting your AirPods through Smart AirPods routing.
Hey Siri commands can be used to launch Apple TV+ shows, and two HomePod mini speakers can be paired with the Apple TV 4K for stereo sound. If you have HomeKit cameras, you can also now view multiple cameras at the same time on the Apple TV.
The Base Station Mini with Magnetic Alignment features the same design as the original Base Station Mini, but it also includes integrated magnets that allow it to align more easily with MagSafe devices. This is not an official MagSafe accessory because MagSafe charging components need to be supplied from Apple and Apple has been slow getting the hardware to third-party companies.
As it is not using MagSafe, the new Base Station Mini will charge an iPhone 12 (and earlier iPhones) at a maximum of 7.5W, but it is a 15W charger so it can charge Qi-enabled Android smartphones more quickly. It is also compatible with AirPods and other Qi-based devices.
A USB-C cable comes along with it for charging purposes, and there's a built-in light sensor that dims at night so it's ideal for use on a night stand.
The Base Station Mini with Magnetic Alignment is available from the Nomad website for $69.95.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Nomad. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Production of the upcoming Apple Watch Series 7 has been delayed due to the upcoming watch featuring a "complicated design," according to a report by Nikkei Asia.
According to the report, Apple suppliers began small-scale production of the watch last week, and during which, employees "encountered critical challenges in reaching satisfactory production performance."
Manufacturers of Apple Watch 7, as the device is expected to be called, began small-scale production last week but encountered critical challenges in reaching satisfactory production performance, multiple people familiar with the situation said.
Three sources said the current disappointing production quality could be attributed to the complexity of design, which is significantly different from that of previous generations of the watch, and the assemblers found issues when putting together electronics modules, components and displays.
As a result of the complex design, which is rumored to come in the form of flat-edges and larger displays, Apple suppliers have "temporarily halted" production of the new watch as engineers attempt to "further certify the designs before going into mass production."
The Apple Watch Series 7, according to Nikkei Asia, will come with blood pressure measurement capabilities, an apparent factor in production being halted. Specifically, hardware to enable blood pressure measurements must "meet requirements for water-resistance performance, further increasing the engineering and production challenges."
Apple is widely rumored to be planning an all-digital event for the middle of next month, where the company is expected to announce the iPhone 13 and Apple Watch Series 7. Today's report, however, citing sources, says those plans might be impacted due to the production issues. While production of the watch may be experiencing issues, those issues may only result in delayed shipping of the device rather than a delay in its announcement.
For example, Apple suppliers earlier this year were battling with production constraints related to mini-LED displays used in the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro. While the new iPad was announced in April, it didn't begin shipping until later in May due to production issues. A similar scenario may be in play with the Apple Watch Series 7 if today's report is true.
Apple Inc.’s upcoming smartwatch is suffering production snags as manufacturers adjust to a new design, likely leading to delays, according to a person familiar with the situation.
Update 9/7/21: "Being James Bond" is now available to watch through the Apple TV app.
Ahead of the theatrical release of James Bond film "No Time To Die" on October 8 in the United States, a 45-minute retrospective titled "Being James Bond" will be available to watch for free through the Apple TV app, according to Deadline.
The story from MGM is said to feature Daniel Craig reflecting on his 15 years playing Bond, with never-before-seen archival footage from his conversations with producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. The retrospective will be available for free through the Apple TV app in over 30 regions from September 7 through October 7.
Amazon in May announced it reached an agreement with MGM to acquire the entertainment company for $8.45 billion, following a report last year that claimed MGM had reached out to companies like Apple and Netflix to gauge interest in a potential acquisition. Amazon said it would help preserve MGM's heritage and catalog of films, and provide customers with greater access to MGM's existing works, such as the James Bond franchise.
With the launch of Apple's iPhone 13 lineup believed to be just a few weeks away, we have compiled all of the coherent rumors from our coverage over the past year to build a full picture of the features and upgrades coming to the company's new smartphones.
For clarity, only explicit improvements, upgrades, and new features compared to the iPhone 12 lineup are listed. It is worth noting that the rumors below are aggregated from our coverage from a wide range of sources, including leakers, analysts, and publications. The reliability of each source varies, so some of the rumored features should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Nevertheless, the overall view of the iPhone 13's rumors gives a good idea of many of the upcoming upgrades and what users can largely expect from the device when it is officially revealed in the near future.
Design
Thicker designaround 7.57mm, up from 7.4mm on the iPhone 12 models.
Thicker camera bumps: The iPhone 12 models feature camera bumps in the range of 1.5mm to 1.7mm, while the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 will have a thicker 2.51mm camera bump and the iPhone 13 Pro will feature a 3.65mm thick camera bump. The individual lenses are expected to protrude less within the thicker camera bumps.
Smaller, narrower notch with the camera moved from the right to the left of the speaker, and the speaker moved up to the top edge of the display to provide more display space.
"ProMotion" display with variable refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother on-screen motion, facilitated by low-power LTPO backplane technology, on the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Next-generation "A15" chip bringing improved performance and efficiency, manufactured with a 5nm fabrication process.
Faster 5G speeds due to use of the Qualcomm Snapdragon X60 third-generation 5G modem, which can aggregate 5G data from mmWave and sub-6GHz bands simultaneously for better speeds and coverage, as well consume less power and take up less internal space.
Larger batteries, which could result in longer battery life. The iPhone 13 Pro Max is said to have a 4352mAh battery, up from 3687mAh in the iPhone 12 Pro Max, while the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro will feature a 3095mAh battery, up from 2815mAh in the iPhone 12. The iPhone 13 mini is expected to include a 2406mAh battery, up from the 2227mAh battery in the iPhone 12 mini.
Faster charging with support for 25W power adapters. The iPhone 12 models can currently only take advantage of up to 20W of charging power.
More energy efficient chip to prolong battery life, with 15-20 percent lower power consumption to offset the battery life impact of high-refresh rate displays.
Camera Hardware
Sensor shift stabilization on the Wide camera of all iPhone 13 models, bringing low light improvements and reduced camera shake. The feature is also rumored to be available for the Ultra Wide lens on the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Larger camera sensors on the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max with larger pixels, allowing the camera to accept more light for a higher-quality image.
Improved Ultra Wide camera on the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, with autofocus instead of a fixed focal length, a six-element lens, and a ƒ/1.8 aperture to let in more light than the current ƒ/2.4 aperture lens, allowing for better performance in low-light conditions. Some sources have suggested that the ƒ/1.8 Ultra Wide camera will actually come to all iPhone 13 models.
Improved Telephoto camera with a ƒ/2.2 aperture on the iPhone 13 Pro, bringing over the improvements and 2.5 times optical zoom that came with the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Improved Wide camera on the iPhone 13 Pro Max, expected to have a ƒ/1.5 aperture, which is a small increase compared to the ƒ/1.6 aperture on the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
ProRes video recording with options for HD and 4K resolutions, exclusive to the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max similar to ProRAW for still photos on the iPhone 12 Pro models.
Improved filters to enhance the look and coloring of photos, allowing users to choose from multiple styles. Filters will be applied to objects and people precisely using artificial intelligence rather than flatly enhancing the entire picture.
Smudge-resistant stainless steel frame to lessen the effect of fingerprints on the polished edges of the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Up to 1TB of storagefor the first time, potentially related to the space needed for ProRes video files.
If these features do come with the iPhone 13 lineup, the 2021 models could shape up to be a significant upgrade for many users. Most indications seem to be pointing to Tuesday, September 14 as the most likely event date for the announcement of the iPhone 13 models, and we could see event invites go out as soon as next week.
Joby today announced the launch of new MagSafe-compatible mounting options that are designed to work with the popular GorillaPod tripods.
The GripTight Mount for MagSafe attaches to an iPhone 12 model using magnets and it features a hybrid clamp for use in both portrait and landscape mode. There's an included 1⁄4" - 20 tripod mount that's compatible with the GorillaPod or other tripod options. There are also multiple mounting points for use with other accessories like lights and microphones.
With the built-in magnet and the GripTight jaws pulled back, an iPhone 12 model can be easily positioned, and then the jaws can be twisted in for even more security than is afforded by the magnetic connection.
For those who want hands-free filming, there's a GripTight Wall Mount for MagSafe, which lets a MagSafe-compatible iPhone be mounted to a wall for filming purposes.
Those who don't already own a GorillaPod may want to check out the GripTight GorillaPod for MagSafe, which features the MagSafe Mount along with a tripod. GorillaPods are known for their versatility thanks to adjustable and wrappable legs.
The GripTight Mount is available for $23.97, while the GripTight Wall Mount for MagSafe is available for $14.97. The GripTight GorillaPod for MagSafe is priced at $41.97, with all accessories available from the Joby website.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Joby. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
In the latest episode of the Apollo Effect podcast series, Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty discussed the potential for a so-called "Apple Car" to disrupt the auto industry through vertical integration of hardware, software, and services. Huberty also praised Apple CEO Tim Cook, noting that the late Steve Jobs would have been proud.
A fan-made image of Tim Cook announcing an Apple Car via YouTube/qfulm
Apple Car's Vertical Integration
While some reports over the years have indicated that Apple's automotive ambitions might be limited to software and services, Huberty said Apple is most successful when there is vertical integration, as evidenced by the iPhone. Huberty said Apple would want a hand in the design of the vehicle, in how the software communicates with the hardware, and in choosing the right components and technologies to use.
"When you think about what will differentiate the car of the future, it's certainly being creative around new supply chains," said Huberty. "It's about vertical integration of different components, hardware design, software, and ultimately, the services that can be delivered in that automobile. It's about consumer trust and credibility, and certainly brand when it comes to a consumer product. And all of those categories are ones where Apple is a leader."
Huberty said once Apple manages to "get the car right," the company can then introduce services on top. While she did not provide any examples, one could imagine an "Apple Car" having everything from full Apple Music integration like in the Porsche Taycan to built-in displays for rear passengers to watch Apple TV+ shows or play Apple Arcade games.
In a December 2020 research note, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said an "Apple Car" is unlikely to hit the market until 2025–2027 at the earliest.
Tim Cook's Legacy
Last week marked the 10th anniversary of Cook being named Apple's CEO after Steve Jobs stepped down from the post due to declining health. Huberty reflected on Cook's era in the podcast interview, noting that Jobs would be proud.
"I really think that Tim Cook has done a pretty phenomenal job allowing for Steve's legacy to carry on, protecting that legacy while building his own very separate legacy," said Huberty. "Steve was very much about design and innovation and getting in the weeds in those two areas. Tim has allowed the culture of the company to continue on that front, but at the same time, he's layered in some of the softer aspects that are harder to measure," she added, noting that Cook has successfully scaled operations while placing a greater focus on areas like employee benefits, charitable giving, and environmental responsibility.
"I think if Steve was looking down, he would be very proud of the way that Tim has built his own legacy while protecting the culture and the differentiation around design and innovation that Steve started," she concluded.
In January, Apple launched its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative in the United States with the goal of "building a more just, more equitable world " and an initial commitment of $100 million. Today, the company is recommitting an extra $30 million to the initiative.
In a press release, Apple says that the added $30 million will support students, innovators, and communities takes charge in creating a more inclusive world.
Apple today announced $30 million in new commitments as part of its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI), supporting students, innovators, and advocacy organizations that are leading the charge in creating a more inclusive, more just world. These new projects include a Global Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Equity Innovation Hub; expanded education initiatives for community colleges and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); a new cohort of the Apple Entrepreneur Camp immersive tech lab for Hispanic/Latinx founders and developers; and funding for leaders working to advance criminal justice reform and environmental justice.
Alongside the added commitment, Apple is also partnering with California State University to launch a new "Global HSI Equity Innovation Hub" that will work to expand access to education to typically underprivileged students. The new hub will launch as a partnership between Apple, CSU, and the state of California.
Apple's commitment will support the initiative's main location on the California State University, Northridge campus near Los Angeles, and provide Apple technology, design support, and thought partnership as the project expands. The partnership will launch equity-centered programming focused on transforming HSIs throughout the CSU and across the nation. It also seeks to expand by establishing regional HSI Equity Innovation hubs at affiliate colleges and universities, and through partnerships with national organizations committed to advancing this work.
In addition, Apple is also expanding its work with Tennessee State University and several other organizations and community colleges to "implement programs that will help incarcerated and paroled individuals learn new skills and work to prevent recidivism."
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Twelve South today announced the launch of the StayGo Mini, a small USB-C hub that provides a trio of ports for use while on the go.
The StayGo mini is a smaller version of Twelve South's StayGo USB-C hub, featuring a USB-A port, a USB-C port for passthrough charging, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack.
The pocket-sized StayGo Mini is available in either black or white, and it is compatible with Apple's USB-C Macs and iPads.
Twelve South offers a short 0.5-meter cable with the StayGo Mini for use with the iPad, and there's also a longer desktop cable for those who prefer more cord length. It can also be used plugged directly into an iPad or Mac.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Twelve South. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Android users are significantly less interested in the iPhone 13 models than they were this time last year in the iPhone 12 models, having been put off by the continued lack of a fingerprint scanner and concerns around child safety features, according to a new survey by SellCell.
The survey, conducted earlier this month, asked more than 5,000 current Android users in the United States aged 18 or over for their opinions about Apple's upcoming products, revealing how the iPhone 13 and Apple's other expected products are viewed by customers of the rival platform ahead of their launch.
The survey found that 18.3 of Android users would consider switching to an iPhone 13. This is a significant decline from last year when 33.1 percent of Android users were open to switching to an iPhone 12 model. This is a drop of 14.8 percent.
Of the iPhone 13 lineup, expected to consist of a 5.4-inch iPhone 13 mini, a 6.1-inch iPhone 13, a 6.1-inch iPhone 13 Pro, and a 6.7-inch iPhone 13 Pro Max, 39.8 percent of the Android users open to switching are most interested in the iPhone 13 Pro Max. 36.1 percent are most interested in the iPhone 13 Pro, 19.5 percent are most interested in the iPhone 13, and just 4.6 percent are interested in the iPhone 13 mini.
This matches broad trends around the iPhone lineup among existing iPhone users, where the 6.7-inch model is very popular while the 5.4-inch "mini" form factor has generally been marginalized and suffered from low sales.
When the potential switchers were asked what would compel them to switch to an iPhone 13 model, 51.4 percent cited longer software support, 23.8 percent cited the Apple ecosystem, and 11.4 percent cited better privacy.
31.9 percent of Android users said that the iPhone 13's lack of a fingerprint scanner for authentication was the main reason they will not consider switching. 16.7 percent said that they will not consider switching due to iOS's limited customization, 12.8 percent pointed to iOS's lack of support for sideloading apps, 12.1 percent cited general design and hardware, and 10.4 percent said that "intrusive" scanning for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) was the main reason for not switching.
Of the Android users that are interested in buying an iPhone 13, only 14.7 percent were also interested in buying an accompanying Apple Watch Series 7. Likewise, only 6.2 percent were interested in buying third-generation AirPods.
Kanye West's latest album has achieved a new high for most streamed pop album of 2021 on Apple Music after its delayed release on Sunday (via Billboard). "Donda" set a record for the most streams in a 24-window on the service this year, pulling in over 60 million plays in the United States.
That makes "Donda" the third-most streamed album ever in the first 24 hours of a release. West's album also topped Apple Music's top albums charts in 152 countries in the same time span, setting another record.
J Cole's 2018 album "KOD" sits atop Apple Music's all-time debut chart with 64.5 million streams, followed by Drake's "Views," which courted around 63.5 million streams.
Following the arrival of "Donda" at the weekend, West claimed in an Instagram post that Universal, the parent company for Def Jam Recordings and West's G.O.O.D. Music imprint, put the album out without his approval.
The album was originally supposed to arrive in late July, but West delayed it to August 6, then again to August 22, before the album eventually appeared on Apple Music and Spotify the following week.
West held a public listening party for the album on July 22 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Itended up breaking Apple Music livestreaming records with 3.3 million viewers tuning in. Even more Apple Music listeners participated in a second streaming event, which was held in Atlanta on August 5.
South Korea today passed a bill that bans Apple and Google from requiring developers to use their own respective in-app purchasing systems, allowing developers to charge users using third-party payment methods, The Wall Street Journalreports.
The bill was originally supposed to be voted on yesterday, however, more urgent matters presented to South Korea's National Assembly meant the bill was postponed. The bill is an amendment to the existing Telecommunications Business Act. It aims to ban Apple and Google from unfairly exploiting their market position to "force a provider of mobile content, etc., to use a specific payment method."
Apple's App Store has been under increased scrutiny in recent months. South Korea's bill represents the first time any government has taken substantive legislative steps to crack down on the platforms. Lawmakers, developers, and others have called for increased regulation of both Apple and Google's app distribution services, noting the companies' potential to engage in anti-competitive behaviors.
Under the now passed bill, Apple in South Korea will no longer be permitted to limit developers to only use its in-app purchasing system, which grants it a 15% to 30% commission for all purchases made. The commission has been under the spotlight ever since game developer Epic Games attempted to bypass Apple's App Store policy by implementing a direct payment method for users last year.
Apple has called its in-app purchasing system a safe and secure way to allow users to purchase digital goods within apps, while some have called the company's commission unfair. As we noted yesterday, Apple operates its App Store under one set of rules applied to developers internationally. While South Korea's bill is specific to users in the country, it may have a domino effect worldwide.
Besides a 15% to 30% commission on all in-app digital purchases made, Apple charges developers a $99 annual fee to be part of its Apple Developers program. Those two revenue streams are just a few ways Apple maintains a profit for the App Store. In the third quarter of this year, the tech giant reported an all-time high revenue record of $17.5 billion in its services business, including the App Store.
Update: In response to the bill passing, Apple has provided MacRumors with the following statement. The statement, the same one used previously when asked on the legislation, says that user trust in the App Store will decrease as a result of the bill.
The Telecommunications Business Act will put users who purchase digital goods from other sources at risk of fraud, undermine their privacy protections, make it difficult to manage their purchases, and features like “Ask to Buy” and Parental Controls will become less effective. We believe user trust in App Store purchases will decrease as a result of this legislation — leading to fewer opportunities for the over 482,000 registered developers in Korea who have earned more than KRW8.55 trillion to date with Apple.
Three years after Apple released walkie-talkie functionality for the Apple Watch, Samsung has released a similar app for the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic.
Samsung released the app via the Google Play Store, which was first spotted by XDA Developers. Similar to Apple's own Apple Watch app, Samsung says its walkie-talkie app allows users to "have instant conversations, just like if they were using a walkie-talkie." While the Apple Watch only allows two people to join in on a conversation, Samsung's iteration allows for "two or more users."
Samsung only lists the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic as compatible with the new app. Screenshots of the app on the Play Store reveal a similar interface to Apple's walkie-talkie, featuring a large button to tap and hold to talk.
Recent sightings of a notchless iPhone in highly popular Apple TV+ comedy "Ted Lasso" have led to sensational headlines suggesting this is a canny bit of product placement on Apple's part and that the iPhone 13 will be notchless. In actuality – and this could go without saying – the phone in question is very likely just showing a poorly superimposed display added in post-production.
Notchless iPhone in scene from "Ted Lasso"
The mythical notchless iPhone appears in two separate scenes in the second season of "Ted Lasso," specifically in episode six, "The Signal." In both scenes, an iPhone can be seen with an on-screen user interface identifiable as iOS, but without a notch at the top of the display.
The idea that Apple would reveal an unannounced flagship product in a pre-recorded show is certainly a tantalizing prospect, but it's a tenuous theory at best. TV shows routinely apply artificial overlays onto digital displays in post-production in order to make their contents clearer for viewers to see – in this case, an iOS Lock Screen.
Notchless iPhone in scene from "Ted Lasso"
That's not to say Apple isn't penchant to product placement in its shows, but the notch has been a mainstay of the iPhone throughout four generations of the device, and the iPhone 13 will be no different, with the notch continuing to remain on the front of Apple's upcoming smartphones. However, the iPhone 13 is expected to feature a smaller notch, and several reputable sources have indicated that the notch size will shrink in 2021, including Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Looking further ahead into the future, 2022's "iPhone 14" is expected to finally ditch the notch, replacing it with an Android-style hole-punch camera. Where Apple goes from there is unclear, but a rumor in 2019 claimed Apple has prototyped at least one iPhone with no notch, with the TrueDepth camera sensors for Face ID instead housed in the thin bezel above the display.
