Benjamin Mayo

Apple has just released the first beta of iOS 16.4, including several major new features for web-apps thanks to policy updates and new features in the WebKit engine.

As detailed on the WebKit blog, Home Screen web apps have access to push notifications via the HTML5 standard Web Push API, including badges, for the first time. Access to the Apple push notification service was previously only available to App Store apps.

Apple has once again delayed its announcement event for the Apple AR/VR headset. Originally expected to debut in the spring, Bloomberg reports that Apple is now targeting its WWDC conference in June as the new date for the product’s unveiling.

That’s a delay of two months compared to the previously-rumored April release date. The headset device, likely branded the “Apple Reality Pro,” will represent Apple’s first hardware venture in the augmented reality and virtual reality market. The product has been many years in the making and has faced multiple late-stage hardware and software development setbacks in the run up to launch.

Apple Pay Later is nearing a launch in the coming weeks, according to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg. The buy-now-pay-later offering will allow customers to buy something using Apple Pay on their iPhone in four instalments over the course of six weeks. The service is offered for free to customers, with zero interest attached.

Apple will use past spending on hardware and services to evaluate customer creditworthiness. This means customers with a good history of spending on Apple’s devices at retail stores are more likely to be accepted into the buy now pay later service, as Apple will use that as a strong indicator that they will be able to repay the loan.

The Apple TV+ hit comedy series Ted Lasso will return for season three on March 15. Season three will see AFC Richmond take on West Ham United in the league, in a coach face-off of Ted and Nate.

Although star Jason Sudeikis has previously said Ted Lasso will end with the third season, Apple has been mum on confirming if that is the case. There is a lot of speculation that the show will continue in one way or another, even if this is the end of the originally planned three-season arc.

Apple today released HomePod OS 16.3.2 for HomePod, HomePod mini, and HomePod (second-generation) devices. The update addresses a pesky bug introduced with 16.3 that made controlling a HomeKit smart home a particularly frustrating affair…

In compliance with EU law, Apple is widely expected to add a USB-C port to this year’s iPhone 15 lineup, replacing the proprietary Lightning port.

However, just because the iPhone has the same connector as other products, it does not necessarily mean that all features of the port will be available to every accessory or charger you plug into it …

Having been a user of the original HomePod ever since it launched, I was so happy to see Apple announce its return last month.

I just got my new Midnight HomePods on Friday, replacing my existing stereo pair of Space Gray models. Here’s some hands-on impressions of what’s changed compared to the original …

Apple is reportedly considering ways to push the price of the high-end iPhone even higher. Rather than simply re-branding Pro Max to Ultra, Apple is discussing adding an “Ultra” high-end model above the Pro Max as soon as 2024, or the iPhone 16 lineup.

That’s according to Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter for Bloomberg. The new model would help increase iPhone average selling price even higher, with Tim Cook hinting on this week’s earnings call that consumers are willing to pay more for the best phone.

Respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said that he expects Apple to refresh its acoustic audio products beginning in the second half of 2024. Specifically, Kuo anticipates a new model of AirPods Max, the second-generation HomePod mini, and a new low-cost AirPods model to enter mass production at that time.

Shipments of these products would then roll out to customers between the end of 2024 and first half of 2025. With the HomePod (second-generation) launching today, and AirPods Pro being refreshed at the end of last year, it seems there will be a big stretch of time before we see any significant updates to Apple’s audio products lineup.

MLS Season Pass has today launched inside the Apple TV app, available for users to subscribe and start watching ahead of the 2023 soccer season kickoff on February 25. Subscribe for $14.99 per month or $99/season.

MLS Season Pass offers unrestricted access to all 2023 Major League Soccer games, live and on-demand, without blackouts or geographic content restrictions. All games are streamed in English and Spanish languages, with dedicated broadcast crews for each.

One of the touted features of the iPhone 14 was the addition of Crash Detection, which is meant to call emergency services if the phone detects the user has been involved in a serious car crash. However, ever since the phones were released, we have been hearing stories of false positive hotspots.

Every erroneous call imposes undue burden on the local emergency services. In this latest incident, the fire department of the Kita-Alps, Nagano in Japan has said it received 134 false calls between December 16 – January 23, “mainly” from the iPhone 14 Crash Detection system incorrectly triggering as their owners go down the ski slopes.

Apple TV+ today presented at the winter Television Critics Association press tour, unveiling much of its spring content slate with first looks at a dozen new original series. The service also finally confirmed that the third season of its hit comedy Ted Lasso will premiere in the ‘spring’.

New shows featured include Shrinking, The Reluctant Traveller, Hello Tomorrow, The Big Door Prize, and dramas Dear Edward, City on Fire, The Last Thing He Told Me, and Extrapolations.

All users can now enable iCloud Advanced Data Protection, an opt-in feature to get end-to-end encryption for almost all data stored in iCloud, including messages, photos, and device backups.

The feature is activatable once users upgrade to iOS 16.3, currently in developer beta, with a public release of the new software update expected to arrive next week.

Apple today launched the new Mac mini lineup, available with M2 and M2 Pro chips inside. The M2 Mac mini starts at a new lower price of $599. The M2 Pro Mac mini starts at $1299. A $100 education discount is available for schools and students.

The M2 Pro chip packs in a 12-core CPU and 19-core GPU, with up to 32 GB RAM. The new Mac mini is available to order today, with first deliveries arriving next week, from January 24.

Update: Apple contacted @hugelgupf to provide a workaround. Apparently, fully signing out of iCloud and back in on the Apple TV will prompt terms and condition screen which can be accepted on the same device. Weird. Original story below.

A viral tweet today highlights a somewhat frustrating limitation with the Apple TV software. As of a recent software update, tvOS expects users have access to an iPhone or iPad in order to do things like accept new iCloud terms and conditions, or update their Apple ID settings.

Although most people who use the Apple TV 4K box are deeply ensconced in the Apple ecosystem, this doesn’t apply to everyone. Up until recently, the Apple TV could be used essentially independently. It was assumed to be a standalone device, not an accessory. Not so much, anymore. Moreover, these changes mean Apple TV users who have Macs — but no personal iOS devices — are also left in the lurch.

Apple has dived into the live sports streaming arena in the last year, striking deals with Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer. Apple also entered advanced negotiations with the NFL for Sunday Ticket, but that deal ultimately went to YouTube.

However, the company does not seem to be slowing its ambitions. The British newspaper Daily Mail reports that Apple is gearing up to bid on a package of English Premier League football soccer streaming rights that is soon coming up for renewal.

Following the surprise departure of Apple Services VP Peter Stern, Apple is reorganizing the expansive Services division by formally splitting the business into three separate units, with a new VP running each group. The VPs will report to Eddy Cue, SVP of services.

Today, Business Insider says that current VP of Apple Music Oliver Schusser has taken responsibility of the business side of Apple TV+, as appointed lead of one of these new units.