Japan passes a law to allow third-party app stores on the iPhone, Emergency in iOS 18 gets support for live video streaming, the watchOS 11 update supports automatic nap detection, Apple suspends work on Vision Pro 2 glasses, and other exciting news on the sidelines...
Third-party apps can record spatial video on the iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models running iOS 17.2 or later can record spatial 18D video for playback on Apple Glass. Spatial video recording used to be limited to the Camera app on the iPhone, but starting with the iOS 16 update, third-party camera apps on the App Store can offer this functionality. This feature is expected to be expanded to include the iPhone 16 and iPhone XNUMX Plus, where it is rumored that the rear cameras will be stacked vertically. To see additional depth in spatial videos, it is necessary to use Apple Glasses, as videos appear in two dimensions when played on the iPhone.
Apple explains the iPhone 15 Pro requirements for Apple's intelligence technology
Apple has introduced a new artificial intelligence experience called Apple Intelligence, but it only works on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and later devices, and also supports Mac and iPad devices equipped with M1 processors or later. This is because operating this technology requires enormous computing power, and older devices will be very slow. Apple confirmed that it is not just a plan to sell new devices. Craig Federighi added that the company always strives to make new features available to older devices as much as possible, but Apple Intelligence requires powerful hardware. The iPhone 15 Pro uses the A17 Pro chip, which contains a 16-core neural engine and performs 35 trillion operations per second. However, owners of older iPhones will get many new features in iOS 18, and every iPhone that can run iOS 17 will be compatible with iOS 18, including the iPhone XR from 2018.
Major concerns about Apple's compliance with the Digital Markets Act
EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager has expressed serious concerns about Apple's compliance with Europe's Digital Markets Act (DMA). The European Commission launched an investigation in March to assess whether Apple's changes to the EU app market comply with the law's regulations, which require Apple to allow apps to be distributed outside the App Store without a fee. Apple's iOS 17.4 update includes a €0.50 fee per download after the first million annual installs, a move Vestager found surprising and perhaps inconsistent. She stressed that the law will be implemented with equal priority for all companies. The Commission plans to reveal its findings soon, with potential fines for Apple of up to 5% of its average daily revenue worldwide if found in violation. Reports indicate that the European Commission may impose fees on Apple for not allowing developers to “steer” users outside the App Store without a fee. Apple still has enough time to amend its iOS system policies before announcing any official fees, and the European Commission is expected to announce the results of the investigations in the coming weeks.
Apple launches a website that helps you buy a suitable Mac device
Apple has launched a new website dedicated to Mac devices, aiming to help customers find a Mac device that suits their needs. The site bears the name “Help Me Choose“It asks users a set of specific questions to guide them towards the most suitable device. These questions include what the device will be used for, basic daily requirements, the user's creative interests, the need for portability, which peripherals will be used, as well as the available budget.
The site uses a sophisticated algorithm that takes into account all these factors to suggest the optimal device, and not only offers basic configurations, but also suggests memory and storage upgrades that may be beneficial to the user. The site also offers alternative options if the budget allows it. Y
This new site can be accessed through the Mac section of the official Apple website, either by choosing the “Compare” option or through “Shop Mac” and then “Shopping Guides”, which makes the experience of choosing a Mac device easier and more tailored to your needs. Every user.
The MacBook Pro with the M4 processor is expected to launch in late 2024
Display analyst Ross Young reports that MacBook Pro models with the M4 processor are expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2024. Young noted that display shipments for the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will begin in the third quarter of 2024, suggesting a possible launch. At the end of the year.
The base 14-inch MacBook Pro is expected to get an M4 processor, while the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will be equipped with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. Mac Mini will get M4 and M4 Pro chips. As for the MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro, they will not be updated with the M4 chipset until 2025, and it is not yet clear when the iMac will be updated with the new chip.
The M4 chip is manufactured with an improved 3nm process, as Apple introduced 3nm technology for the first time with the M3 series. In Geekbench 6 tests, the M4 chip is up to 25% faster than the M3 chip in terms of multi-core performance, so we may see similar increases for the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips.
Unlike the M4 chipset, the upcoming MacBook Pro models are not expected to feature major updates. Apple is working on OLED display technology, but a MacBook Pro with an OLED display isn't expected until 2026 at the earliest.
Apple suspends work on Vision Pro 2 glasses
It was believed that Apple was working on two models of Apple Glass, one “Pro” and the other a low-cost model. But according to reports, it seems that Apple has suspended work on the next generation of Vision Pro glasses only, and is still working on more affordable Vision glasses with fewer features.
Apple began working on cheaper Vision glasses in 2022 with the code name “N109” and aims to sell them at a price similar to the price of the iPhone Pro Max, which costs $1600. These glasses were estimated to be released at the end of 2024. Apple is said to be struggling to find ways to reduce costs without sacrificing too many features, which means that its release date will likely be pushed past the end of 2025.
The report says that it is still possible that Apple will resume work on the second generation of Vision Pro glasses at some point in the future.
watchOS 11 update supports automatic nap detection
The watchOS 11 update includes a new feature that allows the Apple Watch to automatically detect and record naps. One Apple Watch owner was able to see sleep data recorded in the Health app after taking a nap, even though the watch was not put in sleep mode.
Currently, the Apple Watch only tracks and records sleep when in Sleep mode, and there is no support for tracking naps.
This change should allow the Apple Watch to record and list naps in the Sleep section of the Health app, and may also support automatic sleep tracking even when Sleep mode is not enabled.
This development is an important addition to the sleep tracking functionality of the Apple Watch, as it will provide users with a more comprehensive picture of their sleep patterns, including short naps that may be important for health and productivity.
These Apple Intelligence features won't be ready until 2025
Apple won't be introducing its most important AI features in September when it launches iOS 18 to the public. However, many of these features will come with a comprehensive Siri update in a future update to iOS 18 scheduled to be released in 2025. However, Siri will get some improvements when iOS 18 initially launches in September, including a new interface that lights up around the edge of the screen, and capabilities Richer, natural language that allows Siri to understand you even if you stumble, and the option to write to Siri from anywhere.
As for the most important improvements to Siri, they will come in the iOS 18 update in 2025, such as:
Personal Context: Siri's ability to use information from photos, calendar, messages, and other apps to answer queries.
Semantic Indexing: Create a semantic index on the device to store data from email, images, websites, and apps.
App Control: Siri's ability to control all features of individual apps.
On-Screen Awareness: Understand Siri and take actions based on users' content in more apps.
Some other AI features, such as those for the Mail app and Swift Assist, won't be ready until "later in 2024." However, the initial release of Apple Intelligence will offer several features, including prioritization of notifications, summarizing web pages, voice memos, meeting notes, and email, as well as new writing tools and the creation of custom images and emojis called Genmoji.
Emergency in iOS 18 gets live video streaming support
The iOS 18 update offers users in emergency situations a way to provide more information, as Emergency SOS supports live video streaming, which means that once the SOS feature is activated, live video and recorded media can be sent to emergency personnel. Emergency services operators can send a request to the user to share either live video or video from their camera roll, this will make it easier and faster to get help, pinpoint a location, assess an injury or danger, or to use as evidence later.
This update greatly enhances users' ability to communicate effectively in emergency situations, providing responders with more accurate and immediate information about the situation.
Japan passes a law to allow third-party app stores on the iPhone
The Japanese parliament passed a new law requiring Apple to allow app stores and third-party payment service providers on the iPhone. The law will be implemented over the next 18 months, and requires Apple to make significant changes to its business practices, including allowing third-party app stores, allowing developers to use alternative payment services, and enabling users to easily change default settings. The law also prohibits Apple from favoring its own services without justification and using competitors’ data to its advantage. Violating these regulations may result in significant fines. Apple has expressed concerns about the law's impact on a secure and private user experience, while companies like Epic Games have announced plans to take advantage of these changes. This law comes within a global trend to regulate the practices of major technology companies, similar to legislative efforts in the European Union and the United Kingdom.
Miscellaneous news
◉ Apple has released the first beta version of watchOS 10.6, VisionOS 1.3, tvOS 17.6, macOS Sonoma 14.6, iOS 17.6, and iPadOS 17.6 updates to developers
◉ According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the Apple Watch 10 this year will come with a larger screen and a thinner design than previous versions. He stated that Apple will begin using XNUMXD printing technology in the watch components.
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