Tech Talk

Apple has booked nearly 90% of chip supplier TSMC's first-generation 3-nanometer process capacity this year for future iPhones, Macs, and iPads, according to industry sources cited by DigiTimes , providing the Taiwanese foundry with significant growth momentum in the second half of 2023. Apple's upcoming ‌ iPhone 15 Pro ‌ models are expected to feature the A17 Bionic processor, Apple's first ‌ iPhone ‌ chip based on TSMC's first-generation ‌ 3nm ‌ process, also known as N3B. The ‌3nm‌ technology is said to deliver a 35% power efficiency improvement and 15% faster performance compared to 4nm, which was used to make the A16 Bionic chip for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. Apple's M3 chip for Macs and iPads is also expected to use the ‌3nm‌ process. The first ‌M3‌ devices are expected to include an updated 13-inch MacBook Air and 24-inch iMac , both of which could arrive later this year. New iPad Pro models coming next year are likely to be powered by ‌M3‌ chips

Apple today announced that Emergency SOS via satellite is now available in Australia and New Zealand. Available on all iPhone 14 models, the feature enables users to send text messages to emergency services via satellite when cellular and Wi-Fi coverage is not available. Users can also share their location via satellite in the Find My app. Emergency SOS via satellite is enabled by default on iPhones running iOS 16.4 or later in Australia and New Zealand. An option to send a text message via satellite will appear after dialing 000 in Australia or 111 in New Zealand outside the range of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. There is also a demo mode in the Settings app under Emergency SOS that allows users to familiarize themselves with the service without contacting emergency responders. With the service, Apple says users can send and receive messages in as little as 15 seconds in clear conditions. Users are prompted to complete a short questionnaire with vital information, and the interfa

The lower-end iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models launching later this year will be equipped with a 48-megapixel rear camera lens, according to Jeff Pu, an analyst at Hong Kong-based investment firm Haitong International Securities. In a research note today, obtained by MacRumors , Pu said the 48-megapixel lens on these models will use a new three-stacked sensor that can capture more light for improved image quality. However, based on recent supply chain checks, Pu believes the stacked sensor is likely facing yield issues that could result in iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus production delays. The devices are still expected to launch in September as of now. Apple first introduced a 48-megapixel camera lens on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max last year. The lens enables users to shoot 48-megapixel ProRAW photos, which retain more detail in the image file for more editing flexibility. Pu was first to report that iPhone 15 Pro models would no longer feature solid-state buttons

Apple is testing an unreleased chip with a 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU, and 36GB of memory, according to an App Store developer log obtained by Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman. He said the chip is being tested inside a future high-end MacBook Pro running the upcoming macOS 14 update, which is expected to be announced at WWDC next month . In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said this chip could be the base-level M3 Pro for the next-generation 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models launching next year. The chip is expected to be manufactured based on TSMC's 3nm process for significant performance and power efficiency improvements. The current base-level M2 Pro chip in the 14-inch MacBook Pro has a 10-core CPU and 16-core GPU, and starts with 16GB of memory, so the M3 Pro chip would have at least two extra cores for both the CPU and GPU. Apple last updated the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro in January, so the laptops are unlikely to be updated again until at least 2024. Related

Previously, WhatsApp has allowed users of the encrypted messaging platform to link up to four devices to their account, but only one of those devices could be a smartphone. Happily, that's now changed, and WhatsApp has introduced the ability to use the same account on multiple phones. So now you can link another phone as one of up to four additional devices, the same as when you link with WhatsApp on web browsers, tablets, and desktops. Whether it's an iPhone or an Android phone you choose to add, each linked phone connects to WhatsApp independently, ensuring that your personal messages, media, and calls are end-to-end encrypted. Just be aware that if your primary phone is inactive for a long period of time, you will be automatically logged out of all your companion devices. Follow the steps below to set up your additional phone with your WhatsApp account, after which you'll be able to switch between phones without signing out and pick up your chats where you left o

We got quite the surprise this week with Apple introducing Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for the iPad, while the release of Apple's next batch of operating system updates is imminent. Other news this week included rumors about the Apple Watch Series 9 coming later this year and the iPhone 16 lineup launching in 2024, while it looks like Beats has some upgraded over-ear headphones in the pipeline as well, so read on for all the details on these stories and more! Apple Announces Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for iPad Apple shared some big news this week: Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro are finally coming to the iPad . The apps will be available on iPadOS starting May 23 for $4.99 per month or $49 per year. Final Cut Pro will be available for iPads with the M1 chip or later, and Logic Pro will be available for iPads with the A12 Bionic chip or later. Both apps will require iPadOS 16.4 or later. "With a powerful set of intuitive tools designed for the portability, performance,

Apple plans to introduce larger 6.3 and 6.9-inch display sizes for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max in 2024, but the change in screen size will be limited to the Pro models. The standard ‌iPhone 16‌ models are expected to feature the same 6.1 and 6.7-inch display sizes that Apple has used for the last several years. The information comes from display analyst Ross Young, who often shares accurate insights into Apple's plans. Young earlier this week said that the Pro models will have larger display sizes, and he confirmed to MacRumors that these larger screens will be Pro exclusive and will not be coming to the more affordable ‌iPhone 16‌ and 16 Plus. According to Young, the 6.3 and 6.9-inch display sizes are rounded up, with additional information on the specific measurements set to come at the Display Week conference in Los Angeles on May 23. At approximately 6.3 and 6.9 inches, the planned larger display sizes for the ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro and Pro Max will be the biggest screens

Apple has announced that its online store will be launching in Vietnam on May 18 at 9 a.m. local time. The store will be available in both Vietnamese and English, allowing customers to order a wide range of Apple products on the web. "We are honored to have the opportunity to expand in Vietnam, and extremely excited to be able to provide Apple's superior care and support to customers," said Apple's retail chief Deirdre O'Brien, in a computer translated press release. Apple's online store will be accessible in Vietnam on this page and via the Apple Store app once launched, with free delivery, trade-ins, and more to be available. Tag: Apple Store This article, " Apple's Online Store Expanding to Vietnam Next Week " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums Source: TechRadar

This week's best deals include the first deal we've ever seen on the second generation HomePod, the year's best prices on the new MacBook Pros and AirPods Pro 2, and an exclusive offer for our readers from Nomad on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus cases. 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. HomePod (Gen 2) What's the deal? Take $20 off Gen 2 HomePod Where can I get it? B&H Photo Where can I find the original deal? Right here $20 OFF HomePod (Gen 2) for $279.00 The week kicked off with the first-ever discount on Apple's second-generation HomePod at B&H Photo, which has dropped to $279.00, down from $299.00. You can get both White and Midnight at this new all-time low price on the 2023 HomePod. Nomad What's the deal? Take 36% off Nomad's iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus cases, and more

Facebook Messenger's Apple Watch app will be discontinued at the end of this month, according to Meta, ending the ability for users to reply to messages on the service from their wrist. Posts shared on social media carried a screenshot of a notification sent to a handful of users in recent days informing them that Messenger won't be available as an Apple Watch app after May 31, but that users would continue to get Messenger notifications on their watch. Not all users of the app received the notification, but when asked for clarification by Reviewgeek , a Meta spokesperson gave the following statement: "People can still receive Messenger notifications on their Apple Watch when paired, but starting at the end of May they will no longer be able to respond from their watch. But they can continue using Messenger on their iPhone, desktop and the web.” Meta did not give a reason for its decision to sunset its Messenger app for Apple Watch, which was introduced in 2015. Th

Disney plans to combine the Hulu and Disney+ streaming services into a single app by the end of this year, Disney CEO Bob Iger said yesterday during Disney's Q2 earnings call (via TechCrunch ). A single streaming app will include programming from both Hulu and Disney+, but Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ will also still be available as standalone services. The combined app will be provided first to subscribers who have the Disney+ and Hulu bundle, so rather than swapping back and forth, users can access all of their content in a single app. "The integrated app experience that we announced today is for consumers that have subscribed to both services for now," said Iger. He explained that Disney is taking the two-app bundle and combining it into one experience that will have "basically more content than it offered before." With the merging of the services, Disney plans to increase pricing. "We plan to set a higher price for our ad-free tier later this year,&q

Apple has introduced security keys as an additional step to help users protect their Apple ID accounts. Keep reading to learn why the alternative authentication method is the most secure method available and what you need to do to set it up. What Are Security Keys? With the release of iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3, and macOS Ventura 13.2, Apple introduced support for security keys, or physical devices that can verify your ‌Apple ID‌ instead of a passcode. Apple designed the feature for people who require additional protection from targeted attacks, such as phishing or social engineering scams. The extra protection that security keys provide means that if someone had your ‌Apple ID‌ and your password, they still would not be able to access your account without your physical security key, which replaces the traditional verification code provided by two-factor authentication. How Do Security Keys Work? With a security key enabled, signing into an ‌Apple ID‌ requires entering your a

Small developers have seen growing success over the course of the last two years, according to an Apple-commissioned study conducted by economists at Analysis Group. Data shared today highlights the ways the App Store has benefited independent ‌App Store‌ developers. Between 2020 and 2022, the revenue earned by small ‌App Store‌ developers increased 71 percent, and in the U.S. specifically, earnings growth was at 83 percent. Analysis Group defines small developers as those who have fewer than a million annual downloads and who earn up to $1 million per year, and this group accounts for more than 90 percent of developers on the ‌App Store‌. According to the study, revenue growth for small developers outpaced revenue growth for large developers, with earnings improving across all app categories. The study points out the opportunities provided by the ‌App Store‌, such as tools that help developers reach a worldwide audience. Close to 80 percent of small developers are active on mult

Shazam was updated today with support for Apple Music Classical on the iPhone, allowing the two apps to work together for classical music. Launched in March, the Apple Music Classical app offers over five million classical music tracks, and is included with an Apple Music subscription. The release notes for version 15.33 of the Shazam app: You can now open classical songs from Shazam in the Apple Music Classical app. Simply Shazam or search for a classical song, tap the menu icon on the track page and select "Open in Classical." Apple acquired Shazam in 2018 for a reported $400 million and has since integrated the music identification service across its software platforms. Tags: Shazam , Apple Music Classical This article, " Shazam Now Supports Apple Music Classical " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums Source: TechRadar

Apple's Weather app for the iPhone , iPad , and Mac is down for some users, according to Apple's System Status page . Apple says that the Weather app may be slow or unavailable for some users, and that the outage has been ongoing since 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time. There have been reports of issues with the Weather app all day, though not all users are impacted. There was previously a major Weather outage in April that prevented the app from displaying data. This article, " Apple Weather App Again Experiencing Issues " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums Source: TechRadar

Apple today seeded the release candidate (RC) version of macOS Ventura 13.4 to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after the launch of the fourth beta . The RC represents the final version of ‌macOS Ventura‌ 13.4 that will be provided to the public. Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and after the appropriate profile is installed, with the betas available through the Software Update mechanism in System Settings. macOS 13.4 adds the simplified beta installation method that was first introduced in iOS 16.4. With the update, developers and public beta testers enrolled in Apple's respective programs can toggle on beta updates from System Settings on the Mac, without the need to install a profile. An Apple ID associated with either a public beta account or a developer account is required to turn on beta updates, which means that it is no longer possible to use a developer profile not associated with a dev

General Motors (GM) has hired Mike Abbott, a former Apple executive responsible for the company's cloud services division, to lead a new software unit, just over a month after the automaker announced the controversial move to phase out Apple CarPlay on new vehicles (via CNBC ). After working at tech companies such as Twitter, Microsoft, and Palm, Apple hired Abbott in February 2018. He oversaw Apple's cloud infrastructure for services like iCloud , iMessage, and FaceTime before leaving the company in March. Abbott's role at GM will encompass several key functions, including information and digital technology, software-defined vehicle and operating systems, and the company's digital business. He will report directly to GM CEO Mary Barra. In a statement, Barra said "Mike's experience as a founder and entrepreneur coupled with his proven track record creating and delivering some of the market's most compelling software-defined solutions for consumer

Apple today introduced a new Pride Edition Sport Band for the Apple Watch, accompanied by a matching watch face and iPhone wallpaper. Priced at $49, the band will be available to order on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app starting May 23, and will be available at select Apple Store locations beginning May 24. Inspired by the LGBTQ+ community, the new Pride band features a confetti-like design showcasing the original Pride flag colors and five others. The band is available in 41mm and 45mm sizes for the Apple Watch Series 3 and later. Inspired by the strength and beauty of the LGBTQ+ community, the new Sport Band design showcases the original pride flag rainbow colors and five others — black and brown symbolize Black and Latin communities, in addition to those who have passed away from or are living with HIV/AIDS, while light blue, pink, and white represent transgender and nonbinary individuals. The matching Pride Celebration watch face and iPhone wallpaper will be available nex

Apple today announced that Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro are coming to the iPad later this month via subscription models. Apple says that Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro feature all-new touch interfaces that take advantage of multitouch on the ‌iPad‌. Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for iPad bring all-new touch interfaces that allow users to enhance their workflows with the immediacy and intuitiveness of Multi-Touch. Final Cut Pro for iPad introduces a powerful set of tools for video creators to record, edit, finish, and share, all from one portable device. Logic Pro for iPad puts the power of professional music creation in the hands of the creator — no matter where they are — with a complete collection of sophisticated tools for songwriting, beat making, recording, editing, and mixing. Final Cut Pro includes a digital jog wheel to navigate the Magnetic Timeline, move clips, and make frame-accurate edits. Live drawing allows users to draw and write directly on top of video content wit

iOS 17 will introduce a new iPhone experience for Apple Maps that integrates detailed turn-by-turn directions to the Lock Screen without taking over the display, claims a leaker with alleged insider information. Concept render shared by Analyst941 Currently in iOS 16, when real-time Maps directions are active and the iPhone is locked, the Maps app takes over the screen and all other Lock Screen elements are hidden. According to Twitter account Analyst941 , this will change in iOS 17, with Maps directions including live visual map data taking over a portion of the Lock Screen, but with app notifications and the Camera and Flashlight buttons remaining at the base of the display. The leaker claims that app notifications will still be accessible by swiping up on the screen, while the physical act of unlocking the iPhone will remain a seamless transition. According to Analyst941, the new Maps Lock Screen interface will be coming to "all iPhones." This is the first time we