Apple recently released visionOS 1.1, bringing higher quality Persona avatars and enterprise support to Apple Vision Pro. The software update also introduces support for a significant advancement in immersive web experiences.
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Zac Hall is 9to5Mac Editor-at-Large with a focus on technology news, product reviews, and analysis. Zac previously served as 9to5Mac Editor-in-Chief, hosted over 400 weekly episodes of the 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcast, and has been a member of the 9to5Mac family since 2013. Zac has over a decade of experience in technology journalism, including as a tech columnist for the Clarion-Ledger newspaper, part of the USA Today network.
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There’s still something special about the 2018 iPad Pro
The 2018 iPad Pro deserves a prominent spot in the Apple hardware hall-of-fame. No other product from Apple has remained so functional for so long without appearing long in the tooth. The 11-inch 2018 iPad Pro, specifically, has held up extraordinarily well for a product from over five years ago.
Expand Expanding Close11.1-inch OLED iPad supply lags behind larger version, April launch expected
Anyone ready for new iPads? New iPad Air and iPad Pro hardware is expected to be unveiled any day now. This includes a more affordable 12.9-inch display with the iPad Air expected to add a larger option. We also expect to see the first iPads OLED screen technology to deliver deeper black levels like the iPhone and Apple Watch.
A new report from DSCC may add color on when to expect new iPads to ship. The analyst firm also gives us an idea of what to expect with the iPad Pro supply mix at launch.
Expand Expanding CloseApple worries DMA has lowered the cost of iPhone exploits
Apple has been forced by the EU to allow app purchases and installs without the App Store. The effort to enable the capabilities as securely as possible has been massive. The details continue to evolve based on developer arms regulatory feedback, and many more changes for EU customers are planned over the next year. Still, Apple continues to express concern that the Digital Markets Act that enforces all these changes could come at a cost.
Expand Expanding CloseFormer Apple TV deal maker named CEO of ESPN/WBD/FOX sports bundle service
You may recall the recently announced but unnamed sports streaming service from ESPN, Warner Brothers, and Fox. It turns out a former Apple sports deal maker will run the bundle.
Expand Expanding CloseApple writes off lawsuit that claimed Tim Cook defrauded investors for $490 million
Apple is moving on from a class action lawsuit that claimed CEO Tim Cook defrauded investors in 2019. The cost of doing business is just $490 million for Apple, according to a settlement that will have to be approved by the court.
Expand Expanding CloseiOS 17.4 lets Siri read messages in additional languages, not just the primary language
iOS 17.4 introduces the ability to assign languages to Siri specifically for when it reads your messages to you. Languages can be different than the assigned language used for Siri for all other tasks. This is useful for when you primarily use Siri in one language, but you chat with people using other languages.
Expand Expanding CloseEpic says Apple will reinstate developer account, clearing path for Epic Games Store on iPhone
After a whirlwind of events, Epic Games says Apple has reinstated their App Store developer account. The move clears the way for Epic to bring its Epic Games Store to the EU, avoiding the App Store structure altogether. The turnaround is somewhat unexpected as Apple seemed to stand by its decision to revoke Epic’s developer account on Wednesday.
Expand Expanding CloseiPhone 16 Pro design files show larger Action button, new Capture button, more
iPhone 16 Pro is still half a year away, but we already have some ideas of what to expect. 91mobiles, which often publishes accurate design files of unannounced Apple products, adds to the knowledge base with a new set of iPhone 16 Pro CAD files.
Expand Expanding CloseTikTok fate remains in peril as House panel votes to advance ban bill
The idea of outright banning TikTok in the United States has been debated in Washington for several years now. The possibility is all the more likely today as lawmakers in the House of Representatives have voted to advance a TikTok ban bill.
Expand Expanding CloseApple releases macOS Sonoma 14.4, watchOS 10.4, and more
In addition to iOS 17.4 and visionOS 1.1 this week, Apple has updated the Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and HomePod. Today’s release includes macOS Sonoma 14.4, tvOS 17.4, watchOS 10.4, and the HomePod 17.4 software update.
Expand Expanding ClosevisionOS 1.1 update for Apple Vision Pro now available with MDM support, improved Persona, more
Apple has released visionOS 1.1 for all users. The Apple Vision Pro software update features a number of changes that should be welcome to early owners.
Expand Expanding CloseApple planning default navigation app setting in iOS 18 for EU users
Happy Digital Markets Act Day to those who celebrate. Apple has published a document titled “Apple’s Non-Confidential Summary of DMA Compliance Report” in which it outlines policy changes now in effect. In the new 12-page document, Apple outlines more future changes coming to EU users later this year and early next year.
Expand Expanding CloseFriday Night Baseball returning to Apple TV+, but no Immersive Video for Vision Pro
Friday Night Baseball is returning to Apple TV+ on March 29. This marks the third Major League Baseball season with Apple streaming two MLB games each week. But don’t expect Immersive Video for Apple Vision Pro this season.
Expand Expanding CloseM3 MacBook Air reviews: midnight fingerprints, dual display limits, fanless M3 performance
Apple surprised us on Monday morning with the introduction of the M3 MacBook Air. It can now drive two external monitors while the lid is closed, the midnight color should be less prone to fingerprints, and both the 13- and 15-inch sizes are available from day one. Apple calls the M3 MacBook Air the best consumer laptop for AI, and it hits stores on Friday. In the meantime, let’s check out some of the first press reviews.
Expand Expanding CloseiOS 17.4: Apple’s ‘new instrument cluster experience’ for CarPlay
Apple’s iOS 17.4 software update for iPhone is now available. It features major App Store changes in the EU, new emoji for everyone, and a slight update to CarPlay.
Here’s how Apple describes the CarPlay update in iOS 17.4:
Expand Expanding CloseEpic says Apple terminated its newly reinstated developer account over tweet
In the latest installment of Things No One Should Lose Sleep Over, Epic Games says Apple has taken down its newly reinstated developer account in the EU. In a blog post, Epic partially blames a tweet as Apple’s reason for doing so. Epic says this hinders its plans to launch a competing app marketplace in the EU.
Expand Expanding CloseSpotify changes tune and won’t offer in-app purchases on iPhone app in EU
Regain clarity with CleanMyPhone by MacPaw — the new AI-powered cleaning app that quickly identifies and removes blurred images, screenshots, and other clutter from your device. Download it now with a free trial.
Spotify teased up a version of its iPhone app earlier this year that would let users subscribe to ad-free plans directly in the app. Despite dramatic changes forced by the Digital Markets Act and a gigantic $2 billion fine by the EU, Spotify has reportedly changed its tune for now.
Expand Expanding CloseWindows abruptly drops Android apps while the Mac embraces iOS
Regain clarity with CleanMyPhone by MacPaw — the new AI-powered cleaning app that quickly identifies and removes blurred images, screenshots, and other clutter from your device. Download it now with a free trial.
In 2020, switching from Intel to Apple silicon brought incredible performance-per-watt improvements to the Mac. It also enabled iPhone and iPad apps to natively run on macOS for the first time. A year later, Microsoft and Amazon teamed up to bring some Android apps to Windows with a similar approach.
The difference? Apple was rewarding developers and users with the culmination of its own technology to expand the app catalog on the Mac. Microsoft, on the other hand, well, no one is exactly sure what they were trying to achieve.
Expand Expanding CloseApple releases final iOS 17.4 build with new emoji, CarPlay update, EU App Store changes
Regain clarity with CleanMyPhone by MacPaw — the new AI-powered cleaning app that quickly identifies and removes blurred images, screenshots, and other clutter from your device. Download it now with a free trial.
Apple has confirmed it will release the final version of iOS 17.4, officially bringing the software update out of beta. iOS 17.4 is packed with changes including new emoji characters, podcast transcriptions, virtual Apple Cash card numbers, and much more. The update also addresses Digital Markets Act regulatory requirements in the EU with support for competing app marketplaces and other changes where required.
Expand Expanding CloseMeta service outage causing Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and Threads to go down
Regain clarity with CleanMyPhone by MacPaw — the new AI-powered cleaning app that quickly identifies and removes blurred images, screenshots, and other clutter from your device. Download it now with a free trial.
Update: Services were restored after an outage of 1-2 hours for most people. The most likely explanation appears to be a mistake within Meta, similar to that in 2021.
Did you just get randomly signed out of Facebook? It’s not just you. The platform is facing an outage that has logged out users. The outage will cause your password to be rejected, but your password isn’t wrong.
Expand Expanding CloseApple AI and why investors should expect revenue growth
Another day, another case of Apple stoking the growth fire on Wall Street with the magical two letters: AI.
Tim Cook’s shareholder meeting comments about Apple breaking new ground for AI this year were intended to excite investors. According to one analyst, however, the market has not been persuaded by promises. Still, they make the case for one investors should be optimistic about the company’s revenue growth with AI.
Meanwhile, Apple has found new ways to market existing silicon using AI. The term AI, not the technology, that is.
Expand Expanding CloseApple posts first visionOS 1.1 and macOS 14.4 release candidates [Release notes]
Apple has issued the first release candidate versions of more upcoming software updates. Following iOS 17.4 RC last week, Apple just dropped release candidate versions of visionOS 1.1, macOS 14.4, watchOS 10.4, and tvOS 17.4.
Expand Expanding CloseM3 MacBook Pro will gain multi-display support in software update
Apple introduced the M3 MacBook Air with a headlining new feature. For the first time, the Apple silicon MacBook Air will be able to simultaneously drive two external monitors. The only compromise is that the MacBook Air lid must be closed. Still, that’s a big win for users who appreciate portability on-the-go and large displays at the office.
The new feature also raises an interesting question: will the M3 MacBook Pro that was introduced in October also gain multi-display support in the same way? It shares the same version of Apple silicon and has Pro in the name, after all.
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