This may seem like an obvious point. After all, pretty much every iPhone owner gets a new iOS version in the fall, while far fewer will get a new iPhone. But it feels more pronounced this year than in recent history. This year’s iPhones feature minor upgrades over last year’s models, while iOS 16 provides more dramatic, dare I say fun, new features than other OS version upgrades in recent history.
Put simply, Stage Manager is a big deal for the iPad because it gives it windows for the first time, while the Mac has been a window-based computing device since Steve Jobs first took it out of that bag in early 1984. And that contrast gets to the core of why putting Stage Manager on the iPad is a much bigger job than adding it to the Mac.
The long-running push for the launch of the new smart home standard Matter is taking a big step forward. The Connectivity Standards Alliance announced today that it, along with members of the alliance, are formally releasing the Matter 1.0 standard and certification program.
This opens the door to official product certification for the first Matter accessories, and it comes as the latest iOS 16.1 betas add support for the technology.
Apple releases a new flagship smartphone like clockwork in the latter half of every year, so it’s safe to assume that we’ll see a new iPhone (likely to be called the iPhone 16) released around the same time as the rules come into effect in late 2024. But given iPhones are typically launched in September and the EU’s legislation won’t come into effect for 24 months after it’s formally approved by the European Council, the iPhone 16 could end up being launched just before the new rules come into effect. That would make 2025’s iPhone 17 (if Apple continues with its current naming convention) the first model forced to use USB-C for wired charging.
While Apple has switched to USB-C on the Mac and most of its iPads, several products still use the proprietary Lightning port that was introduced with the iPhone 5 in 2012, including the iPhone 14. Here are 10 devices that will need to switch as soon as Apple updates them.
As firmware updates are released quietly over the air, Apple does not provide release notes. We do not know what new features or bug fixes might be included in the software, but given the recent release of both the iPhone 14 models and the AirPods Pro 2, the firmware could have optimizations for these devices.
The bug seems to trigger battery replacement notifications from the Find My app on nearby devices when the battery of the AirPods Pro earbuds or MagSafe Charging Case is low.
The release brings a slew of updates and fresh features like a new Home Screen, Smart Inbox, Priority Email, Set Aside feature, Command Center, “Gatekeeper” email blocking, and much more.
Apple has highlighted how its continuing Community Education Initiative (CEI) is bring coding, creativity and work opportunities around the world.
Apple has been talking with a number of its suppliers about increasing production in India, including of key acoustics devices, as early as next year, three people familiar with the matter told Nikkei Asia.
In response, iPhone assembler Foxconn is preparing to make Beats headphones in the country, and hopes to eventually produce AirPods there as well, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said.
The National Labor Relations Board has filed a complaint against Apple, alleging that the company “discriminated against employees” at its World Trade Center store, according to Kayla Blado, a spokesperson for the regulator. The NLRB’s investigation was spurred by charges filed in May by the Communications Workers of America, the union working with organizers at Apple retail stores in New York, Atlanta, and Oklahoma. The later store is preparing to hold a vote later this month on whether to become the second US location to unionize.
The one thing that I find as the most fun on the new iOS: the little animation that occurs when one taps on the "Search" button in the bottom of the home screen. I have no idea why I like this particular animation so much -- it's not much of a different from many of the other animations found in the operating system. But for whatever reasons, I enjoy this a lot.
Of course, I don't get to see any Dynamic Island stuff at all on my iPhone mini. That may be more fun to other people. But for me, I'm definitely going to choose holding on to the iPhone mini (thin and light!) than to upgrade for Dynamic Island.
~
Thanks for reading.