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EU antitrust officials on Monday identified iPadOS, Apple's operating system for iPads, as a significant digital gatekeeper under the EU's new tech regulations, which carry strict requirements that aim to promote fair competition and expand options for consumers. Last September, the Commission designated Apple as a gatekeeper for its iOS iPhone operating system, its web browser Safari, and its App Store. On the same day, the Commission opened a market investigation to assess whether iPadOS constitutes an important gateway for business users to reach end users in order to assess whether should be designated as a gatekeeper. That investigation has now ended. According to an EC press release shared on Monday, the Commission's investigation found that Apple "presents the features of a gatekeeper in relation to iPadOS," for the following reasons: Apple's business user numbers exceeded the quantitative threshold elevenfold, while its end user numbers were close to the threshold and are predicted to rise in the near future. End users are locked-in to iPadOS. Apple leverages its large ecosystem to disincentivise end users from switching to other operating systems for tablets. Business users are locked-in to iPadOS because of its large and commercially attractive user base, and its importance for certain use cases, such as gaming apps.The Commission has now given Apple a six-month deadline to fully comply with the obligations set by the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which means we should expect enforced changes in iOS like alternative app marketplaces, web distribution, and alternative browsers to come to iPadOS as well in a forthcoming update. "The Digital Markets Act is a dynamic tool which allows us to tackle the realities of digital markets," said Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President in charge of competition policy. "Today, we have brought Apple's iPadOS within the scope of the DMA obligations. Our market investigation showed that despite not meeting the thresholds, iPadOS constitutes an important gateway on which many companies rely to reach their customers. Today's decision will ensure that fairness and contestability are preserved also on this platform, in addition to the 22 other services we designated last September. Apple has six months to make iPadOS compliant with the DMA."To be classified as a "gatekeeper" under the DMA, a company must fulfill certain criteria, including having sales across the EU of at least €7.5 billion, or a market capitalization of €75 billion or above. The designation also requires platforms or services to have more than 45 million monthly active users and over 10,000 active business users annually within the EU. Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta and Microsoft were all designated gatekeepers by the Commission, and had to fully comply with all DMA obligations by March 7. Companies that do not adhere to the new regulations risk facing EU investigations, substantial fines, and the imposition of "behavioral or structural remedies." The fines can amount to 10 percent of a company's global revenue, with a 20 percent penalty for repeat violations.Tags: European Union, European Commission This article, "iPadOS Identified as Digital 'Gatekeeper' Under New EU Tech Rules" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Italian hi-fi maker Volumio has just launched a new audio device called the Motivo Streamer, Transport & Headphone Amplifier, which is best described as a high-res music streamer and iPad rolled into one compact and stylish package. To control the device, Volumio has combined a sleek-looking 8-inch touchscreen with a retro-styled haptic control dial to make the whole entertainment experience feel more immersive. It boasts a range of software and hardware connectivity options, which means you can use it with any of the best music streaming services. It’ll also play nicely with your current home entertainment set up and a pair of the best noise-cancelling headphones, thanks to wide connectivity options. Under the hood, you’ll find a Sabre ES9038 DAC (that’s a digital to analogue converter), which supports all of the best-quality high-resolution music files. It also boasts dual-output analogue XLR balanced and RCA unbalanced outputs. With Volumio’s Premium software, which is included as part of the device, you’ll be able to access any of your favorite streaming services, including Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz and more. In short, the Volumio Motivo is built for audiophiles and with wireless streaming compatibility to the best Sonos speakers and Google Cast speakers, it can fit seamlessly into wired or wireless setups. (Image credit: Volumio) Slick styling and Smart suggestions We’ve covered Volumio’s products before, and we always fall for its blend of state-of-the-art audio that’s housed in modern designs with artisanal touches. But new technology from Volumio makes its latest products even more appealing because they bring AI smarts to your listening experience. We first covered the company's ChatGPT-powered Supersearch tool in 2023 when it was added into the Volumio Integro super-compact all-in-one hi-fi box. But Supersearch will also be available in the Volumio Motivo, too. What makes it interesting is that it claims to bring you smarter recommendations via ChatGPT, and then play them from your streaming service of choice. When we first wrote about Supersearch we did say that, of course, you can just use the ChatGPT app and ask it for music recommendations, but this experience is much slicker and more straightforward. The Motivo also comes with Volumio’s 'Infinity Playback' tool, which continues to bring you music you’ll like once you reach the end of the recommendations. Sure this all sounds similar to the experience you’ll already get from the likes of Spotify and Tidal, but again, having all of these features built directly into one product makes it infinitely easier. We don’t have pricing or availability details about the Volumio Motivo just yet, but it’s not going to be cheap. The Volumio Integro launched for around $1,400 / £1,025 / AU$2,499 and although it’s a different sort of device, it should give you a rough idea about what to expect. You might also like… 'In the beginning I didn't want to – my son persuaded me': why Audiovector's Trapeze Reimagined speaker is a 45-year family affairFinal VR500 review: unassuming wired in-ear headphones that have it where it countsApple is exploring removable batteries for iOS devices – and I think AirPods need it most View the full article

In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman outlined some of the new products he expects Apple to announce at its "Let Loose" event on May 7. First, Gurman now believes there is a "strong possibility" that the upcoming iPad Pro models will be equipped with Apple's next-generation M4 chip, rather than the M3 chip that debuted in the MacBook Pro and iMac six months ago. He said a key new feature of the M4 chip will be an upgraded Neural Engine that boosts performance for AI tasks, and he believes Apple will market the next iPad Pro as an AI-powered device. Second, he said that the new Apple Pencil that is expected to be announced at the event will feature haptic feedback for the first time. While he did not provide any details about how this will work, perhaps the Apple Pencil will have a small Taptic Engine that vibrates when switching between drawing tools, and using the rumored "squeeze" gesture that MacRumors previously discovered within the iPadOS 17.5 beta's code. Third, he reiterated that Apple will introduce a first-ever 12.9-inch version of the iPad Air, and a redesigned Magic Keyboard for iPads. Apple's event begins on May 7 at 7 a.m. Pacific Time (10 a.m. Eastern Time), with a video stream to be available on Apple.com and on YouTube.Related Roundup: iPad ProTags: Apple Pencil, Mark Gurman, May 2024 Apple EventBuyer's Guide: 11" iPad Pro (Don't Buy), 12.9" iPad Pro (Don't Buy)Related Forums: iPad, iPad Accessories This article, "Apple Event Rumors: iPad Pro With M4 Chip and New Apple Pencil With Haptic Feedback" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

The next Apple event is taking place on May 7, where we're expecting to see a new suite of iPads get revealed, with pre-orders sure to follow. Titled 'Let Loose', Apple will be livestreaming the launch, which suggests it'll be a significant one, with the Cupertino crew having plenty to show off; we're not expecting much beyond new tablets, so be ready for new software demonstrations, though surprises definitely aren't out of the question. The main image for the event features a hand twirling an Apple Pencil amid a colorful Apple logo, so we expect there to be a focus on using iPads for creativity, likely with a new and enhanced Pencil. And rumors suggest that the Apple Vision Pro will get Pencil support; if so, expect Apple to tout the creation of digital art with in a virtual and mixed reality environment. So read on for details on how to watch May's Apple event, along with a quick overview on what to expect. How to watch the Apple Let Loose livestream Apple's May event will take place in the form of a livestream. It kicks off on May 7 at 7am PT / 10am ET / 3pm BST, and on May 8 at 12am AEST. The easiest way to watch the livestream will be on YouTube, where Apple currently has a holding page (see below) where you can set a reminder to get notified of when the steam starts. But you can also watch the May Apple event on the company's website and on the Apple TV app. We'll be reporting on all the action so do keep an eye on TechRadar if you can't' follow the livestream. And we're sure to have some interesting videos and insights over on the TechRadar TikTok. What to expect at the Apple May event In short: iPads. Going by the rumors so far, we expect Apple to launch an iPad Air 6, which is tipped to potentially come with an OLED display, a new M-series chip – probably the M2 chip but with scope for the M3 chip at a push – and come in a new 12.9-inch option for people who want a bigger tablet without needing to splash the cash on a high-end iPad Pro. Speaking of which, we're expecting to see new iPad Pro models. The iPad Pro 2024 modes are tipped to carry on with the 11-inch and 12.9-inch models, but are likely to drop the LCD and mini-LED displays of their respective predecessors for OLED panels; these would likely promise better colors and contrast, a boon for digital artists and content creators. As 'pro' tablets we can expect the new iPad Pros to make use of the M3 chip, with the larger model potentially getting a more powerful M3 Pro slice of silicon. There have been murmurs of a new Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil. The former could have a more laptop-like design, potentially being made out of aluminum and featuring a larger trackpad. The new Pencil could have various sensitivity improvements, more gesture options, and better compatibility with third-party apps; moreover it could also work with the Vision Pro. We also wouldn't be surprised if Apple touted more Vision Pro features and interconnectivity with the new iPads. And there's scope for the likes of a new iPad AIr getting a gaming focus given how the iPhone 15 Pro's A17 Pro chip can run console-quality games and Apple Arcade keeps building out its library. All in all, the May Apple event could be an interesting one. It's not likely to shake things up like an iPhone launch; we'll need to wait until September and the likely launch of the iPhone 16 range go that. But May 7 could still host a livestream that Apple fans won't want to miss. You might also like iPad mini 7: what we want to seeCheck out the best iPad appsThe iPhone 16 Plus could be the last Plus model of its kind View the full article

New iPads are coming, and Apple is holding a virtual event to introduce them! While it appears likely to be a relatively short video event, we should be seeing new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, some new accessories, and perhaps some additional surprises. Other Apple news and rumors this week included word that Apple is FINALLY planning to introduce a native Calculator app for the iPad later this year, the release of a fresh round of betas for iOS 17.5 and related operating system updates, and perhaps the end of the road coming for Apple's FineWoven accessories, so read on below for details on these stories and more! Apple Announces 'Let Loose' Event on May 7 Apple this week announced that it will be holding its first event of the year on Tuesday, May 7, at 7 a.m. Pacific Time (10 a.m. Eastern Time). During the event, Apple is expected to unveil new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, along with updated Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard accessories. As always, there could be other surprises in store too. The event invitation has a tagline of "Let Loose" and includes an artistic render of an Apple Pencil. The event will be streamed on Apple.com and on YouTube, and we will have full coverage of everything announced. Tim Cook Hints at New Apple Pencil Just moments after Apple announced its "Let Loose" event taking place on May 7, Apple CEO Tim Cook hinted at a new Apple Pencil. "Pencil us in for May 7," said Cook, in a post shared on social media platform X. The next-generation Apple Pencil is rumored to feature a new "squeeze" gesture for certain actions, and it may support Apple's Vision Pro headset starting with visionOS 2 later this year. Apple Finally Plans to Release a Calculator App for iPad Later This Year Apple is finally planning a Calculator app for the iPad, over 14 years after launching the device, according to a source familiar with the matter. iPadOS 18 will include a built-in Calculator app for all iPad models that are compatible with the update, which should be widely released in September. A revamped Calculator app for macOS 15 will likely be based on the iPad app. Apple Seeds Third Beta of iOS 17.5 to Developers Apple this week made the third betas of iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 available to developers and members of its public beta program for testing. iOS 17.5 introduces the ability to download select iPhone apps via the web in the EU, adds a new Quartiles game for Apple News+ subscribers in select countries, and hints at new iPad and Apple Pencil features. FineWoven Accessories May Get One Last Outing Before Apple Pulls Plug A leaker this week claimed that Apple had stopped production of FineWoven accessories following poor reviews from customers, but they later said that Apple may offer the accessories in one final set of new colors before discontinuing them for good. FineWoven is a fabric material that Apple introduced after it announced that it would no longer make leather accessories for the iPhone and other devices. Customers have complained about FineWoven accessories being prone to scratches and stains. Apple Vision Pro Customer Interest Dying Down at Some Retail Stores Apple launched its Vision Pro headset in the U.S. in early February, but a recent report claims that customer interest in the device has dramatically slowed. Apple said it will release the Vision Pro in additional countries later this year, and that will likely include the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Japan, China, Singapore, and South Korea. Vision Pro starts at $3,499, limiting customer demand for the device, but a less-expensive model will likely be released in the future. MacRumors Newsletter Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view. So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!Tag: Top Stories This article, "Top Stories: Apple Announces 'Let Loose' Event With New iPads and More Expected" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

If you’ve lost track of this week’s most important tech news then don’t fret, as we’re here to catch you up to speed – and this is one week you won't want to have missed. We say that because some major things have happened in the last seven days. Meta announced that it’s sharing its Horizon OS with other VR headset makers – which is the biggest announcement it will likely make this decade – Apple teased its 2024 iPad lines and gave us a launch date for them, and DJI gave us a release date for its cheapest-ever 4K drone. And here at TechRadar we hosted our first Sustainability Week, producing a whole host of articles showcasing some fantastic examples of how the tech industry is focusing on sustainability – and a few instances where it still needs to do better. Let’s get you all caught up on the week’s biggest stories that you might have missed… 7. We hosted Sustainability Week (Image credit: Shutterstock / Troyan) We ran our first Sustainability Week, highlighting the sustainability heroes working to make a difference in tech – and some we think could do more. We talked to Samsung about its energy efficient, AI-driven appliances, delved deep into Apple's recent patent for removable uniform battery enclosures, and even spoke with the creators of a bioengineered plant purifier. It's not all sunshine and rainbows, though, as we also zoned in on the energy impact of processors and graphics cards, calling for the likes of AMD, Nvidia and Intel to work together towards a more sustainable chipmaking future. We've also shared insights on how you can do your bit, whether that's by opting for refurbished tech, seeking out sustainably sourced devices, or using your phone to save the planet. Read more: Our sustainability week coverage 6. Apple set a launch date for its new iPads The official invite for Apple's May 7 launch event (Image credit: Apple) Apple has confirmed the date for its next “special Apple Event” as May 7 at 7am PT / 10am ET / 3pm BST, which is midnight AEST on May 8, and while iPads aren’t officially on the cards, the invite includes a snazzy Apple logo featuring an Apple Pencil surrounded by splashes of color – a strong indication that new tablets will be shown off. We’re expecting the headline announcement to be a new iPad Pro with an OLED display and M3 chipset, with two iPad Air 6 models plus some accessories – such as a new Pencil and potentially a Magic Keyboard – also likely to get shown off. And if this isn’t enough Apple for you, just over a month later Apple’s annual developer conference, WWDC 2024, will kick off on June 10. So make sure to check back here regularly to keep yourself in the loop. Read more: Apple sets imminent launch date for new iPads 5. Meta made a massive OS announcement (Image credit: Meta) This week Meta announced that its Horizon OS – the operating system used by its VR headsets like the Meta Quest 3 – is coming to third-party hardware, starting with ASUS, Lenovo and Xbox devices. This is huge news, as it’ll hopefully lead to a much more diverse range of VR headsets in the near future, with the already teased gadgets including a “performance gaming headset,” “mixed-reality devices for productivity,” and a more Quest-like headset coming from the trio of partners respectively. However, Meta might want to make sure that Horizon OS doesn’t copy too many of the bad aspects of Windows, though only time will tell how this move will play out. Read more: Meta is making spatial computing's Windows with Horizon OS 4. A Sony wearable took us one step closer to Dune (Image credit: Future / Axel Metz) With the recent launch of Apple’s Vision Pro headset and Dyson’s Bane-like air-purifying headphones, you’d be forgiven for thinking that we’ve reached peak wearable tech. However, this week Sony showed us that the wearable product class is just getting started. The Sony Reon Pocket 5 is a wearable thermo device that cools or warms your body, depending on the conditions of your environment. Designed to sit neatly on the back of your neck, the Reon Pocket 5 uses a plate-like "thermos module" and five sensors to determine optimal body temperature and, hopefully, make you more comfortable while you're traveling on public transport or walking in less-than-ideal conditions. The Reon Pocket 5 offers five levels of cooling and four levels of warmth, meaning that – in theory – it’s just as useful on a stuffy commuter train as it is outdoors on a frosty morning. We took the device for a spin at a recent demo event, and we can confirm that it does indeed regulate body temperature pretty effectively – though you’ll have to put up with looking like an extra from a sci-fi movie when wearing it. Read more: Sony’s wearable air conditioner could improve your commute 3. An Android phone served up superior audio (Image credit: Moondrop) The lack of an audio jack in most of today’s phones hasn’t been popular with everyone – especially not audiophiles, who love the fidelity of wired connections for hi-res audio. Enter the Moondrop MIAD01 – this phone not only has a 3.5mm jack, it also has a 4.4mm balanced output for connecting to a powerful music system without distortion, and a “flagship” DAC to make sure high-end digital files get treated properly on the way to your ears. On top of that, it’s a pretty cool phone as well. It’s got a great futuristic look (as do all Moondrop products – just check out their earbuds when you’re bored), a large 120Hz OLED screen, and dual cameras on the back. For serious streaming audiophiles, a dedicated music player or a portable DAC tend to be a big part of listening on the go, and this phone aims to replace both – and the music lovers on the TechRadar team are watching closely. Read more: This Android phone for audiophiles offers a hi-res DAC and 3.5mm jack 2. The Deadpool and Wolverine trailer delivered Easter egg galore (Image credit: Marvel Studios) Deadpool and Wolverine is edging closer towards its July 26 launch date, so it’s high time that Marvel released some new footage to further fuel our excitement for the duo’s multiversal buddy-cop flick. Thankfully, the comic book giant duly obliged earlier this week (April 22) with a brand-new trailer – and, unsurprisingly, the Marvel Phase 5 movie’s latest teaser is packed with Easter eggs. Some are easier to spot than others, mind you, so we’ve taken the liberty of picking out six of the best and/or easily missable ones from Deadpool 3’s newest trailer. Once you’ve read that, check out our X-Men movies in order guide to see what films you need to stream ahead of the MCU’s next flick, too. Read more: New Deadpool and Wolverine trailer is packed with Marvel Easter eggs 1. DJI’s cheapest-ever 4K drone got a release date (Image credit: DJI) A DJI drone announcement without the usual speculation, rumors and leaked pictures is a rare thing, but the DJI Mini 4K quietly popped up on the DJI Amazon store this week, complete with a April 29 release date. We’re not expecting big things from the Mini 4K – it will likely be a modest refresh of the DJI Mini 2 SE, with similar specs like 31-minute flight time, level 5 wind resistance and a sub-250g body – but it will become DJI’s cheapest ever drone to shoot 4K video, and that should make it one of 2024’s most popular drone for beginners. Read more: DJI Mini 4K release date confirmed, here's what to expect View the full article

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss the announcement of Apple's upcoming "Let loose" event, where the company is widely expected to announce new iPad models and accessories. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Apple's event invite shows an artistic render of an Apple Pencil, suggesting that iPads will be a focus of the event. Apple CEO Tim Cook has also alluded to the Apple Pencil in relation to the event and a series of promotional Apple logos appear to hint at upcoming illustration capabilities. Apple has not released any new iPads since October 2022, so this event has been a long time coming. Apple is expected to announce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, along with updated ‌Apple Pencil‌ and Magic Keyboard accessories. Here is everything that has been rumored: Two new ‌iPad Pro‌ models with the M3 chip, OLED displays, a thinner enclosure, slimmer bezels, a matte screen option, a landscape-oriented front camera, other design changes, and possibly MagSafe wireless charging. Two new ‌iPad Air‌ models with the M2 chip and a landscape-oriented front camera, including a first-ever 12.9-inch display option. A new Magic Keyboard for the ‌iPad Pro‌ with an aluminum top case, larger trackpad, and other "laptop-like" design improvements. A new Apple Pencil, which may have a new "squeeze" gesture for certain actions and eventual support for visionOS. Apple's upcoming special event will take place on Tuesday, May 7 at 7 a.m. Pacific Time (10 a.m. Eastern Time), with a live stream to be available on Apple.com and on YouTube as usual. The event invitation does not mention an in-person component, with Apple inviting the media to watch online alongside the general public. It will take place just over a month before Apple's annual developers conference WWDC, which runs from June 10 through June 14. The MacRumors Show is now on its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips going forward: Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel! You can also listen to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player. If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion about the latest AI consumer technology and Apple's rumored plans to bring major AI-focused hardware enhancements to the Mac later this year. Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Kevin Nether, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Luke Miani, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Jon Prosser, Sam Kohl, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie. ‌The MacRumors Show‌ is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future. Tag: The MacRumors Show This article, "The MacRumors Show: Apple's iPad Event Finally Announced!" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple's 13-inch M3 MacBook Air, M1 iPad Air, and M3 iMac are the highlights of this week's best deals, and they include multiple record low prices across each product lineup. 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. MacBook Air What's the deal? Get up to $110 off 13-inch M3 MacBook Air Where can I get it? Amazon and Best Buy Where can I find the original deal? Right here $110 OFF13-inch M3 MacBook Air (256GB) for $989.00 $100 OFF13-inch M3 MacBook Air (8GB RAM/512GB SSD) for $1,199.00 $100 OFF13-inch M3 MacBook Air (16GB RAM/512GB SSD) for $1,399.00 Early in the week, we began tracking a few deals on the new 13-inch M3 MacBook Air at Best Buy, and this sale has now expanded to include Amazon. In fact, at Amazon you can now get the 256GB notebook for the new all-time low price of $989.00, $10 below Best Buy's sale. iPad Air What's the deal? Get $100 off M1 iPad Air Where can I get it? Best Buy Where can I find the original deal? Right here $100 OFF64GB Wi-Fi iPad Air for $499.99 $100 OFF256GB Wi-Fi iPad Air for $649.99 $100 OFF64GB Cellular iPad Air for $649.99 $100 OFF256GB Cellular iPad Air for $799.99 Best Buy has the 2022 iPad Air for $100 off every configuration this weekend. These are solid second-best prices across the board, starting at $499.99 for the 64GB Wi-Fi tablet. iMac What's the deal? Get up to $105 off M3 iMac Where can I get it? Amazon Where can I find the original deal? Right here $100 OFFM3 iMac (8-core/256GB) for $1,199.00 $105 OFFM3 iMac (10-core/512GB) for $1,594.00 Amazon this week introduced solid discounts on a few M3 iMac models, starting at $1,199.00 for the 256GB model and increasing to $1,594.00 for the 512GB computer. The latter deal is a match of the all-time low price on this version of the 2023 iMac. 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.Related Roundup: Apple Deals This article, "Best Apple Deals of the Week: Shop Low Prices on M3 MacBook Air, M3 iMac, and M1 iPad Air" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

It was a big week for retro gaming fans, as iPhone users are starting to reap the rewards of Apple's recent change to allow retro game emulators on the App Store. This week also saw a new iOS 17.5 beta that will support web-based app distribution in the EU, the debut of the first hotels to allow for direct AirPlay streaming to room TVs, a fresh rumor about the impending iPad Air update, and more details on the sequence of Apple's M4-based Mac updates starting later this year, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more! Delta Game Emulator Now Available From App Store on iPhone A few weeks after Apple updated its App Review Guidelines to allow retro game console emulator apps, the popular Nintendo emulator Delta is now available in the App Store. Delta can emulate games released for many older Nintendo consoles, including the NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, Nintendo DS, and all Game Boy models. We published an article explaining key facts about emulators in the App Store and the legality of downloading games. New iOS 17.5 Beta Lets EU iPhone Users Download Apps Directly From Websites Starting with the second beta of iOS 17.5, released this week, large developers in the EU can now distribute apps directly on the web instead of through the App Store or an alternative app marketplace. To be eligible for this new Web Distribution feature, Apple says a developer must meet several requirements, including having an app that had more than one million annual installs on iOS in the EU in the prior calendar year. iOS 17's New AirPlay Feature for Hotel Room TVs Begins Rolling Out Apple has announced that AirPlay is now available at around 60 hotels operated by IHG Hotels & Resorts in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. At hotels that offer the feature, guests can scan a unique QR code on their room's TV to establish an AirPlay connection, allowing them to wirelessly stream content from their iPhone or iPad. For example, they could stream Apple TV+ or Netflix shows, listen to music on Apple Music or Spotify, play games on Apple Arcade, or work out with Apple Fitness+. iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 16 Pro: 30 Rumored Upgrades Compared While the iPhone 16 lineup is still months away from being announced, there are already many rumors about the four devices that have been circulating for months. If you own an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max model, and will be considering upgrading to the iPhone 16 Pro family, check out our new comparison chart that outlines over 30 rumored new features and changes for the iPhone 16 Pro models, and if you're an iPhone 15 or 15 Plus user, we're tracking over 15 changes expected for the iPhone 16 models. 12.9-Inch iPad Air Now Rumored to Feature Mini-LED Display The rumored 12.9-inch iPad Air that is expected to be announced in May will be equipped with a mini-LED display like the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro, according to info shared this week by Ross Young, CEO of research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants. The existing 10.9-inch iPad Air is equipped with a standard LCD panel, and the move to mini-LED technology for the 12.9-inch model would provide increased brightness for HDR content, deeper blacks, and more. M4 Macs Are Expected to Launch in This Order Starting Later This Year In his Power On newsletter this week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman outlined the order in which he expects Macs with the M4 family of chips to be released. Gurman said the entire Mac lineup will be updated with the M4 chip or higher-end variants, starting with the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini between late 2024 and early 2025, followed by the MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro between the spring and end of 2025. MacRumors Newsletter Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view. So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!Tag: Top Stories This article, "Top Stories: Nintendo Emulators on App Store, Two New iOS 17 Features, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

The rumored 12.9-inch iPad Air that is expected to be announced in May will be equipped with a mini-LED display like the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro, according to Ross Young, CEO of research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants. The existing 10.9-inch iPad Air is equipped with a standard LCD panel, and the move to mini-LED technology for the 12.9-inch model would provide increased brightness for HDR content, deeper blacks, and more. Young revealed this information in a post shared on social media platform X today. He said the 12.9-inch iPad Air will be using leftover mini-LED display panels from the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and he touted lower power consumption as another benefit. Given that Apple does not have existing inventory of 10.9-inch mini-LED display panels, it is likely that the smaller iPad Air will remain equipped with an LCD panel. Meanwhile, the next iPad Pro models are widely expected to transition to OLED displays, which would eliminate backlighting to allow for higher contrast ratio with true blacks, and provide other enhancements compared to LCD and mini-LED technologies. The new iPad Pro models are also expected to be announced in May. Young has a solid track record with display-related Apple rumors, so this information about the iPad Air is likely accurate.Related Roundup: iPad Air Tag: Ross YoungBuyer's Guide: iPad Air (Don't Buy)Related Forum: iPad This article, "12.9-Inch iPad Air Now Rumored to Feature Mini-LED Display" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

The first approved Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) emulator for the iPhone and iPad was made available on the App Store today following Apple's rule change. The emulator is called Bimmy, and it was developed by Tom Salvo. On the App Store, Bimmy is described as a tool for testing and playing public domain/"homebrew" games created for the NES, but the app allows you to load ROMs for any NES games available for download online, such as Super Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong. Nintendo released the NES game console in 1985, so some of these games are nearly 40 years old. On its website, Nintendo says "downloading of pirate copies of Nintendo games is illegal." The release of Bimmy comes after Apple removed Game Boy emulator iGBA from the App Store for ripping off another emulator known as GBA4iOS, which was distributed outside the App Store. Apple said it had approved of iGBA's functionality prior to learning that the app was a knockoff, suggesting that emulators for older Nintendo game consoles are permitted on the App Store, and Bimmy seems to be the first proof of that. Apple updated its App Review Guidelines to permit retro game console emulators earlier this month. Apple says developers of emulators are "responsible for all such software" offered in the app, including compliance with "all applicable laws."Tags: App Store, Emulator This article, "NES Emulator for iPhone and iPad Now Available on App Store" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming two weeks after Apple released the first betas. Registered developers are able to opt into the betas by opening up the Settings app, going to the Software Update section, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option, and toggling on the iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 Developer Beta. An Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta. Most of the features that Apple promised would be coming in ‌iOS 17‌ have now been released, but iOS 17.5 adds additional app ecosystem changes in the European Union. App developers can offer apps for download on the iPhone directly from their websites, in addition to through app marketplaces. There are also code changes that hint at new Apple Pencils and a Battery Health feature for the iPad, with more information on what's new available in our iOS 17.5 beta features post.Related Roundups: iOS 17, iPadOS 17Related Forums: iOS 17, iPadOS 17 This article, "Apple Seeds Second Betas of iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 to Developers" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple's hardware roadmap was in the news this week, with things hopefully firming up for a launch of updated iPad Pro and iPad Air models next month while we look ahead to the other iPad models and a full lineup of M4-based Macs arriving starting later this year. We also heard some fresh rumors about iOS 18, due to be unveiled at WWDC in a couple of months, while we took a look at how things are going with the iPhone 15 Pro now that it's halfway through its flagship lifecycle, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more! Macs to Get AI-Focused M4 Chips Starting in Late 2024 Apple plans to release its first Macs with the M4 series of chips in late 2024, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The report says that the MacBook Pro and iMac lines will be the first to be updated with the M4 series of chips later this year, while other models like the MacBook Air, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro are expected to be updated with M4 series chips throughout 2025. Gurman said the chips are "designed to highlight artificial intelligence" capabilities on the Mac. New iPads Likely to Launch During Second Week of May In the latest edition of his newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said new iPad Pro and iPad Air models will likely launch during the second week of May, following reported manufacturing delays. He also said Apple is working on new iPad mini and entry-level iPad models, but he does not expect those devices to launch until later this year. It has been nearly 18 months since Apple last released new iPads. Review: Six Months With the iPhone 15 Pro It's been a bit over six months since the iPhone 15 lineup came out in September, and MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been using an iPhone 15 Pro Max sans case since launch. Over on our YouTube channel, Dan did a long-term review to demo how his phone has held up and his thoughts on the Action button, battery life, and camera features. If you're an ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ owner, let us know how your battery life is holding up, whether you're regularly using the Action button, and anything else you've found interesting about your experience with Apple's latest high-end flagship phone! Here Are All the Rumored iPhone 16 Colors We recently recapped all rumored color options for the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max, so be sure to check out the list to learn about the new options expected. At least two new color options are rumored for the lower-end iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models, including Purple and White, while the Pro models could gain new Space Black and Rose Gold titanium finishes. iOS 18 May Feature All-New 'Safari Browsing Assistant' One of the new generative AI features rumored to be coming to the iPhone with iOS 18 could be a browsing assistant in Safari, according to backend code discovered on Apple's servers. While no specific details about the browsing assistant are known, the feature could allow Safari to better compete with other AI-infused web browsers available on the iPhone, such as Microsoft Edge and Arc Search. The MacRumors Show: Apple Shortcuts and iOS 18 ft. Matthew Cassinelli Matthew Cassinelli, one of the minds behind Workflow, joined Dan and Hartley on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show to talk Apple Shortcuts and potential improvements and AI features coming to the app in iOS 18. Last week's episode included discussion of Apple's potential foray into robots, along with discoveries made in the iOS 17.5 beta, rumors about a new Apple Pencil, and more. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show channel on YouTube, and listen to the podcast in Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app. MacRumors Newsletter Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view. So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!Tag: Top Stories This article, "Top Stories: M4 Mac Roadmap Leaked, New iPads in Second Week of May, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple is "unlikely" to hold an event to announce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, according to sources cited by Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman already said Apple was not planning to hold an event for the new iPads, but he made this claim back in early March, before it was reported that the devices were postponed due to manufacturing delays. With the new iPads now expected to launch in early May, DigiTimes believes Apple is still not planning to hold an event. Instead of an event, it is likely that Apple will announce the new iPads in a press release shared on its website, as it did for the MacBook Air models with the M3 chip in early March. Gurman believes Apple will announce the new iPads by the second week of May, barring any further delays due to production challenges. Gurman said two factors contributing to the new iPads being delayed were Apple still finishing iPadOS software development for the new iPads, and advanced manufacturing techniques for the OLED displays that the devices will use. A recap of the iPad-related products that Apple is expected to announce: Two new iPad Pro models with the M3 chip, OLED displays, a thinner enclosure, thinner bezels, a matte screen option, a landscape-oriented front camera, other design changes, and possibly MagSafe wireless charging. Two new iPad Air models with the M2 chip and a landscape-oriented front camera, including a first-ever 12.9-inch iPad Air. A new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro with an aluminum enclosure, larger trackpad, and other design tweaks. A new Apple Pencil, which may have a new "squeeze" gesture for certain actions and support visionOS eventually.It has been nearly 18 months since Apple last released new iPads, so customers have been waiting a long time for updated models to launch. 2023 was the first year in which Apple did not release any new iPads in the device's history.Related Roundups: iPad Air , iPad ProTag: DigiTimesBuyer's Guide: iPad Air (Don't Buy), 11" iPad Pro (Don't Buy), 12.9" iPad Pro (Don't Buy)Related Forum: iPad This article, "Apple Event for New iPads Still Considered 'Unlikely' Following Delays" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

We're expecting 2024 to be a big year when it comes to iPad launches, and we've now got a better idea of when the most expensive models – the next-gen iPad Pro and the iPad Air 6 – are going to be arriving. This information comes from the usually reliable Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, who reckons these tablets are "probably" going to break cover the week starting May 6. As well as the iPad Pro and iPad Air, a new Magic Keyboard and new Apple Pencil are also being mentioned. While Gurman has previously said May would be the month we'd see these new slates – a timeframe backed up by other rumors – this is the most precise prediction we've had yet. As we've already heard, the new iPad Pro line is likely to switch to OLED for its display tech, just like the iPhone. According to Gurman, that will mean "higher price points", but he doesn't specify what they are; for reference the 12.9-inch iPad Pro launched in 2022 currently starts at $1,099 / £1,249 / AU$1,399, with the 11-inch version costing $799 / £899 / AU$1,899 and up. A longer wait The current entry-level iPad (Image credit: Future) When it comes to the cheaper iPads – the entry-level iPad and the iPad mini – Gurman says these "won't be coming before the end of the year at the earliest". That's something of a surprise considering that the iPad mini 7 was originally tipped to be turning up before the end of 2023, as the series hasn't been refreshed since 2021. As for the standard 10.9-inch iPad, that was last updated in 2022, with the iPad 11 widely tipped to be appearing this year. Based on what Gurman says, it sounds as though Apple might even wait until 2025 to refresh these models. Don't expect any big upgrades either: the iPad mini is apparently only getting a processor bump, while the entry-level iPad might just be a "cost-reduced version" of the 2022 edition (so more or less the same, but cheaper). That's a lot of iPads, and it's going to be interesting to see how Apple positions them all in terms of features and price points. Check our iPad Pro 2024, iPad Air 6, iPad mini 7 and iPad 11 hubs to see all the rumors we've heard about these devices so far. You might also like The next 11-inch iPad Pro might be in short supplyApple chipset leak teases the 2024 iPadsWe got the iPad update we needed, not the one we wanted View the full article

While rumors have been focused on new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, some Apple customers are wondering when the next iPad mini will be released. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said new iPad mini and entry-level iPad models will be released in late 2024 at the earliest. "The company is also working on new versions of the low-end iPad and iPad mini, but those won't be coming before the end of the year at the earliest," he said. "The new downscale iPad will probably end up being a cost-reduced version of the 10th generation model from 2022, while the iPad mini update won't include much more than a processor upgrade." The current sixth-generation iPad mini was released in September 2021, and it is equipped with an A15 Bionic chip. Gurman expects the next model to feature a newer chip, but few other changes. Additional features rumored by other sources include camera upgrades and a fix for the "jelly scrolling" display behavior. The low-end iPad was last updated in October 2022. An eleventh-generation iPad could start at a lower price than the 10th-generation iPad, which could pave the way for Apple to discontinue the ninth-generation iPad with the Lightning connector.Related Roundup: iPad miniTag: Mark GurmanBuyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Don't Buy)Related Forum: iPad This article, "When to Expect the Next iPad Mini and Low-End iPad Models to Launch" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple will likely launch new iPad Pro and iPad Air models during the second week of May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "For those looking for more specific timing, I'm told the launch will probably happen the week of May 6," said Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "Another data point to that end: Apple retail stores are preparing to receive new product marketing materials later that week. That's typically a sign that a new product release is incoming." Apple is expected to announce the following products:Two new iPad Pro models with the M3 chip, OLED displays, a thinner enclosure, thinner bezels, a matte screen option, a landscape-oriented front camera, other design changes, and possibly MagSafe wireless charging. Two new iPad Air models with the M2 chip and a landscape-oriented front camera, including a first-ever 12.9-inch iPad Air. A new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro with an aluminum enclosure, larger trackpad, and other design tweaks. A new Apple Pencil, which may have a new "squeeze" gesture for certain actions and support visionOS eventually.Apple last updated the iPad Pro and iPad Air in October 2022 and March 2022, respectively.Related Roundups: iPad Air , iPad ProTag: Mark GurmanBuyer's Guide: iPad Air (Don't Buy), 11" iPad Pro (Don't Buy), 12.9" iPad Pro (Don't Buy)Related Forum: iPad This article, "Gurman: New iPads Likely to Launch During Second Week of May" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

We're still two months away from the unveiling of iOS 18 at WWDC, so Apple is pushing forward with the first beta of new iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 updates likely to be officially released next month. These updates are smaller in scale than the recent 17.4 updates, but we're still finding some interesting changes in them. Meanwhile, the wait for new iPads continues, and it appears we've got around another month before we'll see them released. Other news this week included a iPhone 16 display rumor, details on upcoming Beats Solo 4 headphones, and the release of more immersive spatial Personas for Apple Vision Pro, so read on below for all the details! Here's Everything New in iOS 17.5 Beta 1 Apple this week made the first betas of iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 available to developers and public beta testers. The upcoming software updates include only a few new user-facing features for the iPhone and iPad so far, but hidden code changes reveal some additional possibilities. We have put together a list of everything discovered in the first iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 betas, including code changes related to a Battery Health menu coming to the iPad, a new Apple Pencil, and more. iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 will likely be released to the public in May. iPhone 16 Rumored to Feature Even Thinner Bezels For the second time in as many months, it has been rumored that at least some iPhone 16 models will feature even thinner bezels around the screen. The higher-end iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are expected to feature larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, but the thinner bezels could result in the devices having only modestly larger dimensions compared to the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max. Apple Suppliers Say New iPads Have Been 'Repeatedly Postponed' It has been nearly 18 months since Apple last updated its iPad lineup, and customers are anxiously waiting for new models to be announced. For months, there have been rumors about new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, but the estimated timeframe for their release has been repeatedly pushed back from March to April to May. In defense of these rumors, it does sound like the new iPads have indeed experienced delays, as some Apple suppliers say production of related components has been "repeatedly postponed." iPadOS 17.5 Beta Hints at Battery Capacity and Cycle Count Menu on Upcoming iPads Apple may be planning to expand the iPhone's Battery Health menu to upcoming iPads, based on evidence uncovered in the iPadOS 17.5 beta. The first iPadOS 17.5 beta includes several new references to a Battery Health menu on the iPad, but the feature is not actually visible yet, and it may be exclusive to upcoming iPads. The menu is expected to show an iPad battery's maximum remaining capacity and cycle count. New Beats Solo 4 to Feature Improved Sound, USB-C New features and details for the rumored Beats Solo 4 surfaced this week, shortly after the headphones appeared in the FCC database. Key features expected for the Beats Solo 4 include improved sound quality, a USB-C charging port, and up to 50 hours of battery life for music playback. Like the Beats Solo 3 headphones that launched in 2016, the Solo 4 are expected to cost $199 in the United States. Testing the Apple Vision Pro's New Spatial Personas Feature Spatial Personas are now available on Apple's Vision Pro headset in beta capacity. The feature is available on visionOS 1.1 and later. In a recent video on our YouTube channel, we tested the new spatial Personas, which "break out of the familiar FaceTime tile and feel more present" in the visionOS space compared to the standard Personas that have been available since day one, according to Apple. MacRumors Newsletter Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view. So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!Tag: Top Stories This article, "Top Stories: iOS 17.5 Beta, The Latest on New iPads, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Yesterday, two unreleased Apple devices were discovered in Indian regulatory filings. A further two models have now been spotted ahead of the expected announcement of new iPad models next month. The second wave of listings, spotted by MySmartPrice, appears in the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) database with the model numbers A2898 and A2899. This joins the two models seen yesterday with the model numbers A2836 and A2837. All four model numbers do not correlate with any existing Apple devices, but four new ‌iPad‌ models are expected to launch next month: A 10.9-inch iPad Air, a 12.9-inch ‌iPad Air‌, an 11.1-inch iPad Pro, and a 13-inch ‌iPad Pro‌. It is not clear whether A2898 and A2899 are new ‌iPad Air‌ or ‌iPad Pro‌ models, but both product lines are expected to be refreshed in May following repeated delays. The appearance of new Apple devices in regulatory filings typically indicates that their release is fairly imminent.Tag: MySmartPrice This article, "Two More New iPads Spotted in Regulatory Database" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple may be planning to expand the iPhone's Battery Health menu to upcoming iPad models, based on evidence uncovered in the iPadOS 17.5 beta. As discovered by MacRumors contributors Steve Moser and Aaron Perris, there are several new references to a Battery Health menu on the iPad within the code for the first iPadOS 17.5 beta, which was released to developers earlier this week. The menu is expected to show an iPad battery's maximum remaining capacity and cycle count. A sample of the code strings added in the iPadOS 17.5 beta: "iPad must be regularly used while not connected to power to show maximum capacity." "This is the number of times iPad has used your battery's capacity." "The iPad battery is performing as expected." "iPad batteries, like all rechargeable batteries, have a limited lifespan and may eventually need to be serviced or replaced." "The original battery was designed to retain X capacity at X cycles under ideal conditions. Actual battery performance depends on a number of variables, including how iPad is used and charged regularly. The one-year warranty includes service for defective batteries in addition to rights provided under local consumer laws." There is no visible Battery Health menu on any existing iPad models on the first iPadOS 17.5 beta, leading us to believe that the menu may be limited to the new iPad Pro and iPad Air models that are rumored to launch in May, and likely other new iPads released in the future. Apple has shown battery capacity information on iPhones for many years, but cycle count information is currently limited to the latest iPhone 15 series. Apple will likely release iPadOS 17.5 to the public in May. Given this is a code finding in a beta, we cannot guarantee that a Battery Health menu will be added to the iPad, but it is certainly something that Apple has been working on.Related Roundups: iPad Air , iPad ProBuyer's Guide: iPad Air (Don't Buy), 11" iPad Pro (Don't Buy), 12.9" iPad Pro (Don't Buy)Related Forum: iPad This article, "iPadOS 17.5 Beta Hints at Battery Capacity and Cycle Count Menu on Upcoming iPads" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple could unveil a new and improved Apple Pencil, equipped with a brand-new “squeeze” gesture, providing additional control without taking your hand off the pencil. According to 9to5Mac, there are references to a new gesture called “squeeze” in the code for iPadOS 17.5 beta, which was recently released to developers. This gesture appears to be used to add shapes, signatures, stickers, or a text field, thereby saving time for those writing notes or quickly annotating a sketch or document. These squeeze gestures are unlikely to refer to the Apple Pencil 2, as it has pressure sensors only on its tip and not on the stylus' surface. This suggests that the gesture is for an as-yet-unannounced Apple Pencil 3 that could launch alongside some new iPads rumored to launch in May. Other indicators of a potential new model include mentioning the Apple Pencil being supported by the Find My app, as current Apple Pencils cannot be tracked via this app. This feature will allow you to find the Pencil, just like you can track AirPods and AirTags, which is handy for something so easily lost as a pen. Another possible clue that a new Apple Pencil is on the way is that iPadOS 17.4 has added an updated version of the PencilKit API, which developers use to make apps compatible with the Apple Pencil. However, the exact new features are unknown. The Apple Pencil 3 will likely feature the return of pressure sensitivity, which was missing from the more scaled-down Pencil released in October 2023. This feature allows you to change the thickness of your strokes depending on how hard you press down on the screen and is invaluable for digital artists. Tipster Majin Bu posted on X that the Apple Pencil 3 will come with interchangeable magnetic tips to aid drawing, technical drawing, and professionals such as digital artists and photo editors. While the most extreme rumor from MacRumors claims the Apple Pencil 3 will support the Apple Vision Pro and allow you to use your surroundings as a canvas instead of touching a tablet screen and will even still use pressure sensitivity. Based on what my source reportedthe new Apple Pencil 3 will come with interchangeable magnetic tips(for drawing, technical drawing and painting) pic.twitter.com/AXUdpbZFVhSeptember 30, 2023 See more Potential pricing is currently unknown but is expected to be similar to the Pencil 2 at around £139 / $129 / AU$199. Hopefully, Apple will opt for some color variations this time around rather than only having a white option, as we’d like to see black, silver, or gold options or any other color. The original Apple Pencil was released on November 11, 2015, while the second generation Pencil was released on November 7, 2018. On October 17, 2023, Apple launched an entry-level Pencil model for USB-C-equipped iPads. However, we may not need to wait till November for Apple Pencil 3. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has reported that the next generation of iPads is expected in early May, and the Apple Pencil 3 would likely launch alongside a new iPad Pro. You might also like WWDC 2024: AI, iOS 18, and everything we're expecting from Apple's big showApple researchers reveal AI breakthrough that could make Siri much smarterApple didn't give us the iPad update we wanted, it gave us what we needed instead View the full article

Apple today updated its trio of iWork apps Keynote, Numbers, and Pages for the Mac, iPad, and iPhone with several new features and changes. The release notes for version 14.0 of the Mac apps follow, and the release notes for version 14.0 of the iPad and iPhone apps are nearly identical. Keynote• Add a new look to your slides with the Dynamic Color, Minimalist Light, and Minimalist Dark themes • Streamlined in-app notifications inform you when a person joins a collaborative presentation for the first time • Preserve file format and full quality when adding HEIC photos taken on iPhone or iPad • Press and hold the Command key to select noncontiguous words, sentences, or paragraphs • Improved compatibility for slide transitions when importing and exporting Microsoft PowerPoint files • Additional stability and performance improvementsApp Store links: Mac and iPad/iPhone. Numbers• Streamlined in-app notifications inform you when a person joins a collaborative spreadsheet for the first time • Preserve file format and full quality when adding HEIC photos taken on iPhone or iPad • Press and hold the Command key to select noncontiguous words, sentences, or paragraphs • Additional stability and performance improvementsApp Store links: Mac and iPad/iPhone. Pages• Press and hold the Command key to select noncontiguous words, sentences, or paragraphs • Streamlined in-app notifications inform you when a person joins a collaborative document for the first time • Preserve file format and full quality when adding HEIC photos taken on iPhone or iPad • Additional stability and performance improvementsApp Store links: Mac and iPad/iPhone.Tags: iWork, Pages, Keynote, Numbers This article, "Apple Updates iWork Apps With New Features on Mac, iPad, and iPhone" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple today added a handful of devices to its public-facing vintage and obsolete products list, including some older iPhone and iPad models. Apple now considers the iPhone 6 Plus to be "obsolete" worldwide, meaning that Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers no longer offer repairs or other hardware service for the device. Apple says it considers a product "obsolete" once seven years have passed since the company last distributed it for sale. Apple launched the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in September 2014, with key features including larger screens than previous models and Apple Pay support. Apple discontinued the iPhone 6 Plus in September 2016, but the iPhone 6 remained available through resellers in select countries for a few more years, so it is not yet considered "obsolete." On the software side, iOS 13 dropped support for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in 2019. As for the iPad, Apple now considers the fourth-generation iPad mini to be "vintage," meaning that more than five years have passed since the company stopped distributing the device for sale. Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers continue to offer repairs for vintage products for up to two more years, subject to parts availability. Apple also added the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus to its "vintage" products list, but in the (PRODUCT)RED color only. The devices remained available in other colors for longer, so those colors are not "vintage" yet.Tag: Vintage and Obsolete Apple Products This article, "Apple Says iPhone 6 Plus Now 'Obsolete' and iPad Mini 4 Now 'Vintage'" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple could finally launch new iPads in May, bringing in OLED panels and a brand-new iPad Air model. Apple tipster and Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman said that his sources with insider knowledge of Apple's plans note that “early May” is slated as a launch period for next-generation iPads. It was previously thought new iPads would arrive in March or April, but Gurman reported that complications in OLED display manufacturing and getting the software ready for the new tablets led to delays in shipping. As has been previously rumored, Apple is once again expected to launch new iPad Pro models that’ll sport OLED displays, while the so-called iPad Air 6 is tipped to get a refresh and a new 12.9-inch model that’ll offer a big-screened iPadOS experience without the need to splash the cash on the expensive 12.9-inch iPad Pro. More power, slicker accessories Gurman said the iPad Pros will be codenamed J717, J718, J720 and J721 and will make use of the Apple M3 chip – as seen in the latest MacBook Air 13-inch. These next-gen iPad Pros are also expected to have a redesigned Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil. But exactly what form these tweaks will take wasn't mentioned in Gurman’s latest report. One could posit new keyboard mechanisms and more flexibility in the keyboard's positioning, and likely better sensitivity and precision with the Apple Pen. The iPad Air upgrades are likely to be more on the chip side, potentially going for a M3, which would be a notable upgrade on the M1 chip the current iPad Air has. But an iPad Air with a larger display could be one way to give iPads a shot in the arm; as smartphones get bigger and foldable phones come to the fore, there’s arguably no need for 10.9-inch tablets, but one with a screen that’s nearly 13 inches could be a lot more appealing. If Apple does indeed launch new iPads in May, it would come a stone's throw away from WWDC 2024, which will take place June 10 this year. You might also like... Apple says it’ll ‘break new ground’ in generative AI – here’s what to expectApple's AI upgrades for your iPhone are reportedly on track for 2024iOS 18 tipped to debut Apple’s new generative AI – and that’s good news for Siri View the full article

Apple will introduce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in early May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman previously suggested the new iPads would come out in March, and then April, but the timeline has been pushed back once again. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Apple is working on updates to both the ‌iPad Pro‌ and ‌iPad Air‌ models. The ‌iPad Pro‌ models will get OLED display technology and the new M3 chips, while the ‌iPad Air‌ will come in the standard 10.9-inch size and a larger 12.9-inch size. According to Gurman, Apple's suppliers are ramping up production of the new iPads at the current time. Apple initially planned to launch the iPads in March or early April, but is apparently working to "finish software for the new devices." The OLED iPad Pro models also need "complex new manufacturing techniques," which Gurman says has contributed to the delay.Related Roundups: iPad Air , iPad ProBuyer's Guide: iPad Air (Don't Buy), 11" iPad Pro (Don't Buy), 12.9" iPad Pro (Don't Buy)Related Forum: iPad This article, "Apple to Launch New iPad Pro and iPad Air Models in May" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article