Chance Miller

Alongside new iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia betas, Apple has also released new betas for the rest of its operating systems today. That includes watchOS 11 beta 2, visionOS 2 beta 2, and tvOS 18 beta 2.

Hidden in iOS 18 is much-needed, long-requested update to Apple Maps. There’s finally a “Search here” button that makes it far easier to find what you’re looking for in places that aren’t your current location.

A new report from The Information today details Apple’s efforts to automate more of the iPhone production process. The report explains that Apple has told managers to “reduce the number of workers on iPhone final assembly lines by as much as 50% over the next few years.”

Earlier this week, a report suggested that Apple has shifted its focus from developing a next-generation Vision Pro to a lower-cost version of the headset instead. A new report today sheds more light on the Apple Vision product roadmap, with some details on how Apple could cut costs in the future.

Apple has confirmed that iOS 18 beta 2 will be available next Monday. That’s exactly two weeks after iOS 18 was announced at WWDC 2024. Notably, Apple has confirmed that there are two new features that will be available in iOS 18 beta 2: iPhone Mirroring and SharePlay screen sharing.

After increasing its prices across the board a few weeks ago, Spotify has now announced a new “Basic” tier for $10.99 per month in the United States. This plan, Spotify says, offers all of the same Spotify Premium benefits, but without the monthly audiobook listening time.

I’ve written a lot about CarPlay over the years, including questioning GM’s decision to abandon CarPlay on all of its EVs. Now, a new survey has details on just how important CarPlay is for people shopping for a new car, with a third of consumers considering it an absolute must-have.

Benjamin and Chance are back with a review of this week’s Apple news, including thoughts on the rumored bigger watch sizes coming this fall, Apple’s plans to design thinner iPhone and MacBook Pro models, and the abrupt cancellation of Apple Pay Later. We also have unearthed even more interesting changes found in the first iOS 18 beta. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, we predict what iOS 18 features will have the most impact, positive or negative, on the public at large when the software update lands on customer iPhones  later this year. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.

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As we covered last week, iOS 18 includes a few notable changes for the Home app and HomeKit in general. One of those changes is hands-free support for unlocking smart locks thanks to Ultra Wideband technology. Unfortunately, and perhaps unsurprisingly, there are no locks on the market that actually offer UWB support.

Update: Find a statement from Schalage on their plans for a new HomeKit lock below.

AT&T has announced another price increase, this time affecting customers who are grandfathered into retired unlimited plans. The carrier says that prices will increase by as much as $20 per month starting in August.

Apple began the transition to M4 chips last month with the new iPad Pro lineup. We’ve already heard a handful of rumors about the first M4-powered Macs, and now analyst Ross Young has more details to share.

Ever since they were announced in April, I’ve been eager to get my hands on the new Beats Solo Buds. With 18 hours of battery life and a $79 price tag, they are one of the most intriguing new products from Beats in a long time.

Beats Solo Buds officially hit store shelves today, and I’ve been using them for the past few days. Let’s dive into some hands-on impressions.

After announcing its suite of new AI features at WWDC, Apple is expanding its Apple Developer Academy program with a new focus on artificial intelligence. In a press release, Apple says that it will “train all Apple Developer Academy students and mentors on technologies and tools that take advantage of artificial intelligence” starting later this year.

Apple has announced that it is no longer offering Apple Pay Later, the “buy now, pay later” service that launched in the United States last year. The change goes into effect starting today, Apple says. Existing users with open Apple Pay Later loans will still be able to manage them via the Wallet app.

In its place, Apple is focusing on new features coming globally to Apple Pay later this year, including the ability to access installment loan offerings from eligible credit or debit cards, as well as Affirm.

Apple has big plans for the Apple Watch, ranging from new health features to a completely new design. Read on as we recap three things to expect from the upcoming Apple Watch as soon as later this year.

Last month, Apple unveiled its thinnest product ever with the new M4 iPad Pro. Measuring in at 5.1mm, the 13-inch M4 iPro Pro is even thinner than the iPod nano.

As it turns out, Apple has plans to give the rest of its product lineups a similar treatment, making the iPhone, Apple Watch, and MacBook Pro all significantly thinner.

Following WWDC, Apple executives including Craig Federighi, Greg Joswiak, and John Giannandrea have done a series of interviews discussing iOS 18, Apple Intelligence, and more. Head below for a roundup of those interviews.

According to a new report from the Financial Times, the European Union is planning to hit Apple with a fine for failing to comply with the Digital Markets Act. This would make Apple the first company to be fined for not complying with the DMA, and it could be announced “in the coming weeks.”

Apple has a big focus on new math features with this year’s software updates, such as Math Notes in iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia. As it turns out, Apple has also expanded calculator-like functionality in iOS 18, allowing you to do basic math and conversions in any text field, straight from the keyboard.

One major component of Apple Intelligence is a feature called Genmoji, which lets you create an infinite number of emoji-like images using generative AI. While Genmoji isn’t available in the first beta of iOS 18, Apple elaborated on the feature with more details in a WWDC session this week.

In this bumper edition, Benjamin and Chance react to everything Apple announced at WWDC 2024, including all the new features in iOS 18, visionOS 2, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11 and tvOS 18, and the suite of announcements under the banner of Apple Intelligence, as Apple sets its AI strategy. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, we have even more thoughts on WWDC and some of the surrounding press interviews taking place this week. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.

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