This Week @ MacsWest
Teaching, Helping, Learning and Having Fun!
• MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 2022
10:00 AM to NOON – Room C open for free MacU classes.
NOON to 2:00 PM –New Monday Afternoon Genius Bar. No need to make an appointment. Just walk into the Palm Ridge Rec Center Computer Lab Room C and have a one-on-one session with a “Genius” and get all the help you need.
• TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2022
10:00 AM to NOON – Room C Open for The Mac U Classes.
• WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2022
10:00 AM – GENIUS BAR: No need to make an appointment. Just walk into the Palm Ridge Rec Center Computer Lab Room C and have a one-on-one session with a “Genius” and get all the help you need. Bruce and the two Gary’s will be there to help solve your Apple device and Apple app problems. Be sure to bring your list of IDs and passwords (you do write them down somewhere safe, don’t you?)
• THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022
10:00 AM to NOON – Laura and Judith will be in Computer Lab Room A to discuss genealogy and help you with the Ancestry app—which we have on one of the iMacs
NOON to 2:00 PM – A Member will be available in Computer Lab Room C for conversation, a modicum of help, and discussion of all things MacsWest
• FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 2022
1:00 PM – MacsWest REGULAR MEETING: Every Friday we feature a Presentation about some aspect of Apple life: Mac, Watch, iPhone, iPad, Apps. in Room D @ Palm Ridge Computer Lab, until 2:00 PM, to be immediately followed by…
2:05 PM – …Mini Genius Bar in Room D. Wanna talk Apple stuff? Need a question answered? Just looking for conversation? Stay after the Regular Meeting and relax!
Computer West
Visit Computers West, our parent organization! MacsWest is a Computers West User Group, as is the PC Group.
April General Meeting
Read the minutes of the April General Meeting. Many thanks to MacsWest Secretary Bernardine Ginsberg for recording and preparing them.
Free Classes all Day, Every Day
News From Apple
Complete guide to the new AirPods Pro 2
When will Apple’s new AirPods Pro come out? What will they look like? And how much will they cost?
News
Editor, Macworld
The original AirPods Pro were introduced in October 2019, two and a half years ago. How long will we have to wait for Apple to update the AirPods Pro and unveil its second generation of premium wireless earbuds?
The AirPods are extremely popular products, so it seems bizarre that Apple leaves it so long between updates. The standard AirPods also went two and a half years between their second edition in March 2019 and the third in October 2021 (you may be interested to read our 2021 AirPods review). Could Apple make fans wait even longer for the new AirPods Pro?
In this article, we take a look at how Apple will evolve the AirPods Pro line-up in 2022, and examine the release date, price, tech specs, design changes and new features of the upcoming models which may features a new design, longer battery life, fitness tracking and support for lossless streaming of Apple Music.
Will there be new AirPods in 2022?
Apple introduced a new version of its standard AirPods back in 2021, but the AirPods Pro remained untouched. Will we see new AirPods Pro in 2022? It certainly looks like it, and with the three year anniversary of the AirPods Pro fast approaching, it’s about time. As Bloomberg’s Apple expert Mark Gurman said in a May newsletter: “The batteries are already probably in trouble for some early adopters.”
AirPods Pro release date: When will Apple launch new AirPods Pro?
We expect the next version of the AirPods Pro to launch in the fall of 2022: likely September or October. If Apple waits until October it will have been three years since the original AirPods Pro launched.
The new models have been expected for some time, back in 2021 there were rumours that Apple was working on new AirPods Pro, but due to component shortages and COVID-related delays only the AirPods 3 launched. But Apple is now ramping up to launch new AirPods Pro.
In May 2022, Apple analyst Ming Chi-Kuo tweeted the following:
(1/4)
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 24, 2022
1. AirPods Pro 2 will enter mass production in Vietnam in 2H22, a successful case of mass production of Apple’s major products outside China.https://t.co/siWe9HItrd @WSJ
And according to a May PowerOn newsletter, Mark Gurman indicated that the AirPods Pro will finally be arriving “in the fall.”
New AirPods Pro price: How much will AirPods Pro 2 cost?
Price-wise, we expect the new AirPods Pro to cost $249, which is the same as the current model (although the AirPods Pro are frequently on sale for less than $200). The new Beats Fit Pro retail for $200, so it’s likely Apple will keep the AirPods Pro at $249 to separate the two models.
However, we could see a price rise: in a report for iDropNews, LeaksApplePro indicated that the new AirPods Pro will get a fairly significant price hike to $299.
For comparison, here’s the pricing for the current range of AirPods on the Apple Store:
- AirPods 2nd generation: $129 / £119 / AU$219
- AirPods 3rd generation: $179 / £169 / AU$279
- AirPods Pro: $249 / £239 / AU$399
- AirPods Max: $549 / £549 / AU$899
Note that the current AirPods Pro model is likely to disappear when the new one comes out, rather than sticking around with a price cut.
New AirPods Pro: Design changes
With the AirPods receiving a redesign in 2021, we assume that the AirPods Pro will change in order for the differences between the two types of AirPods to be clear.
There is some evidence that this will be the case: Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, for example, believes that the new AirPods Pro will have no stems, in a radical step. He said in a May 2021 report that the new AirPods Pro may not feature shafts, following a similar design to the Beats Studio Buds or the Beats Fit Pro. where the AirPods would fit flush in the ear.
However, 52audio in June 2022 wrote that the design won’t be that different from the 2019 after all. In fact it will take cues from the AirPods 3.
New case
According to 52audio, the biggest upgrade to the AirPods Pro could be the charging case, which will gain a USB-C support for fast charging and a small speaker for better Find My support. This backs up a January 2022 Ming-Chi Kuo claim that the second-gen AirPods Pro could come with a case that can emit a sound to help locate it when lost. There will apparently be a hearing aid mic connection too.
Changes to the charging case would be good news: we do have a few reservations about the current charging case: it’s harder to get the Pros out than other AirPods models, and the hinge feels less robust. (The hinge sits along the longer edge because the Pro models are shorter and wider than before.) Perhaps Apple could tweak the case design in lieu of major changes to the earbuds themselves.
New sizes
It’s also been claimed that the new AirPods Pro will come in two sizes for the first time. This prediction is based on leaked components, and was made via a tweet by Mr White back in 2020:
New AirPods Pro Mabey Two Sizes Still W2 Chips 🤨 pic.twitter.com/R5MpzUrUlg— Mr·white (@laobaiTD) December 29, 2020
He referred to the image as W-chips, but it’s actually the H-chips that feature in the AirPods so we assume that’s a mistake. The components that feature in the leaked images come in two different sizes, suggesting that Apple may have two sizes of next-gen AirPods Pro in the works. (It appears that Mr White has since deleted the tweet, though it’s unclear whether that means it was wrong or just ruffled the wrong feathers.)
Another top request for the new AirPods Pro is a choice of more sizes of ear tips so users can ensure they get the perfect fit. Currently Apple only offers three sizes: small, medium or large, so hopefully there will be more on offer with the next generation. Buy AirPods Pro Ear Tips here.
New colors
It’s feasible that we could see a new color option when the next set of AirPods Pro is launched. It would be unusual for Apple to get this far into a product line without offering at least two colors. The AirPod Max, indeed, get five: Space Gray, Silver, Pink, Green, and Sky Blue.
Space Gray (or another variant on black or dark gray) is probably the most likely – indeed there have been rumors that a black pair of AirPods were being considered and there are certainly people who would love black AirPods.
New AirPods Pro: New features
When convincing customers to spend more on the premium AirPods, features are the key. What’s Apple got up its sleeve?
Gesture controls
The AirPods Pro could be in line for gesture-based controls. Apple applied for a patentin 2020 called Wearable Voice-Induced Vibration or Silent Gesture Sensor, which describes the use of a sensor to scan the user’s face and detect minute changes in expression, and the muscular movements associated with speech even if not spoken out loud. This could be used to trigger commands, or as a biometric identification tool for improved security.
6Gz Bluetooth
The limitations of Bluetooth are the main reason why the 2019 AirPods Pro cannot support Lossless Audio (which we will discuss in more detail in the section below). It appears that Apple will rectify this by enhancing Bluetooth in the new models.
Discussing Apple’s new technologies in a February 2022 interview, acoustics VP Gary Geaves said: “There’s a catch, as far as I can see it–a bottleneck that’s been preventing real qualitative leaps in the sound of wireless headphones essentially since wireless headphones came into being. I’m talking about Bluetooth, of course, which almost all wireless headphones, including AirPods, rely upon and which doesn’t have the data rate for hi-res or even lossless audio.”
Geaves added a note of optimism about the possibility of innovation in this space. “It’s fair to say that we would like more bandwidth and… I’ll stop right there,” he said. “We would like more bandwidth.”
How can Apple get this extra bandwidth? The obvious choice would be for the company to upgrade from Bluetooth 5.0 (used in the AirPods 3 and current AirPods Pro) to 6GHz Bluetooth.
Better battery life
The next AirPods Pro are rumored to get longer battery life and faster charging due to the new USB-C equipped case.
H2 chip
A June 2022 report from 52audio claims the new AirPods Pro will feature an upgraded version of the H1 chip supporting “self-adaptive active noise cancellation”, along with improved Find My, heart-rate measurement, a heavily modified USB-C charging case, and hearing aid functionality. We’ll discuss that exciting collection of new features below, but the H2 chip should brings a number of benefits to Bluetooth streaming.
All AirPods (AirPods 2, AirPods 3, Pro and Max) feature the H1 chip, so this new upgraded version may well be called the H2.
New AirPods Pro: Audio features
Three years on from the introduction of the AirPods Pro, what new audio features can Apple add to its flagship earbuds?
Lossless and 6Gz Bluetooth
Apple launched Lossless Audio and Lossless High-Res Audio for Apple Music in June 2021, but due to the limitations of Bluetooth and the AAC codec, none of the current AirPods are able to stream the higher-quality tracks. However, Apple rumor monger Jon Prosser reported that Apple is working on a new audio codec that would allow lossless streaming over AirPods, which could get an introduction alongside the new models.
In January 2022, Kuo offered a corroborating report (via 9to5Mac) that the second-gen AirPods Pro will bring “support for Apple Lossless (ALAC) format.”
If the AirPods Pro support Lossless, Apple may also need to enhance the Bluetooth capabilities (see above).
Noise cancellation
LeaksApplePro has suggested that alongside Lossless Audio we can expect “state-of-the-art” noise-canceling.
The current AirPods Pro already offer noise-canceling, but that report indicates that the technology will be much improved.
Health & fitness features
Some tempting new health and fitness features have been rumored for the AirPods Pro, as we will discuss below. However, a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in July 2022 suggests that these new features may not make their way in to the AirPods Pro until the next generation.
Fitness tracking and motion sensors
According to Bloomberg (in 2021), the next AirPods Pro will focus more on fitness tracking and have updated motion sensors. They may even offer tracking assistance of sorts when you’re not wearing them.
Heart rate sensor
A heart rate sensor could also be coming to the AirPods Pro. While optical heart rate sensors can be uncomfortable, sport-loving users swear by them and they are offered by some rival earbuds. It’s lookiung like this won’t make it into the AirPods Pro 2, but it’s not beyond the realms of possibility for the future.
This heart-rate feature will apparently “collect and analyze the wearer’s inner ear data”.
Body temperature measuring
The AirPods Pro may also feature a sensor that can measure body temperature, although this is another feature that may not make it into the 2022 models. A similar temperature sensor is rumored for the Apple Watch Series 8.
Gurman believes that the heart rate and temperature sensors won’t make it into the AirPods Pro 2, but “could arrive one day.”
Water resistance
Speaking of health and fitness, improved water resistance would be beneficial. The IPX4 rating currently offered leaves a fair bit of room for improvement. The RHA TrueConnect and Creative Outlier Air headphones, which are the top two choices in our roundup of the best wireless earbuds, are both rated IPX5; the JBL UA True Wireless Flash buds are rated as a ‘stormproof’ IPX7. We hope to see improvements here.
If you don’t want to wait for the new AirPods Pro, read our round up the best wireless headphones for iPhone.
Macworld editor since 2008, Karen has worked on both sides of the Apple divide, clocking up a number of years at Apple’s PR agency prior to joining Macworld almost two decades ago.
Karen’s career highlights include interviewing Apple’s Steve Wozniak and discussing Steve Jobs’ legacy on the BBC. Her focus is Mac, but she lives and breathes Apple.
How Apple has revamped System Preferences in macOS Ventura
Meet System Settings.
How-To
Senior Editor, Macworld
Foundry
With macOS Ventura, Apple decided to rename and redesign the macOS System Preferences. It resembles the one in iOS, but Apple didn’t completely make the two UIs mirror each other. The Mac and iPhone have different screen and user dynamics, so Apple made interfaces that take advantage of the platform while achieving a sense of uniformity. Here’s what you can expect to see in Ventura.
Apple changed the name of System Preferences in macOS to System Settings to match the Settings app in iOS. It’s still located in the Apple menu under About This Mac.
Why Systems Settings and not just Settings, as it’s called in iOS? It’s to clarify that these settings are macOS settings and there are no settings for any apps on the Mac in this section. Mac app settings are still called Preferences and they are still located within each app’s Preferences menu. In iOS, the Settings app contains both system and app settings, thus the Settings name sans System.
macOS Ventura: New look
Here’s how System Preferences looks in macOS Monterey, and the new System Settings in macOS Ventura. Drag the slider to see how different the two apps are.
The icon grid is gone, replaced by a list in the left column. In the old UI, you clicked on an icon and the window would open to the setting. In the new UI, the setting that you click on opens in the main part of the window. This new layout makes it more efficient to switch between settings.
Apple also made changes to the controls within each setting. They’re similar to what was used before, but Apple did some fine-tuning to make the controls more intuitive and easy to use. The overall look is a lot cleaner, making settings and controls easier to find.
macOS Ventura: Relocated settings
The new look and feel is easy to adjust to, but what will throw some users off is that Apple also moved many settings around from where they used to be located. For example, the General pane has different settings now; some of the settings it used to have, such as Appearance, are now its own separate setting pane, while others are now in a different or new setting.
This is going to take some getting used to. Chances are, though, that the settings you frequently adjust are in Control Center or the menu bar, so you won’t have to hunt for those settings. Apple didn’t take away the search field, however, so you can use it to find what you need.
iOS 16 Supported Devices: Which iPhone and iPad Models Can Run iOS 16
Apple has just officially announced iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 updates. The major software release is going to bring a bunch new features and improvements to all iOS devices.
If you’re wondering if your device is included in the list of iOS 16 supported devices, then you can find the official list below.
This iOS 16 compatibility list will tell you whether your iOS device will get the iOS 16 software update when it is released for public in September 2022.
This list will also guide you about whether you can install iOS 16 beta on your device or not.
So without any further ado, here’s the list of iOS 16 supported devices.
iOS 16 Supported Devices (List)
Here’s the list of iPhone and iPads that support iOS 16 and iPadOS 16.
iPhones that support iOS 16
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 8
- iPhone SE (3rd Generation)
- iPhone SE (2nd Generation)
iPads that support iPadOS 16
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro 5th generation
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro 4th generation
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro 3rd generation
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2nd generation
- 12.9-in. iPad Pro 1st generation
- 11-in. iPad Pro 3rd generation
- 11-in. iPad Pro 2nd generation
- 11-in. iPad Pro 1st generation
- 10.5-in. iPad Pro 1st generation
- 9.7-in. iPad Pro 1st generation
- 10.2-inch iPad 9th generation
- 10.2-inch iPad 8th generation
- 10.2-inch iPad 7th generation
- iPad 6th generation
- iPad 5th generation
- iPad mini 6
- iPad mini 5
- iPad Air 5th generation
- iPad Air 4th generation
- iPad Air 3rd generation
Devices not getting iOS 16 update
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone 6s
- Original iPhone SE
- iPod touch
- iPad Air 3
- iPad mini 4
How Apple is making its many devices more alike than ever
Apple isn’t simply trying to look to what’s next, but to fix what’s come before and level the playing field across all its platforms.
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Apple
There’s this somewhat odd sentiment among some parts of the Mac community that the best release of the platform’s software ever was Snow Leopard. Yes, that’s right: 2009’s Mac OS X 10.6, a release that was famously marketed as having “zero new features” and focusing on bug fixes and enhancements.
That appraisal is, of course, open for debate, but the idea has persisted enough that some people still regularly call for “Snow Leopard” style releases of Apple’s current operating systems—even though I’m sure there would be a general cry of bloody murder if the company tried to release updates that really didn’t have a single new feature.
Such an update is decidedly not what we got at this past week’s Worldwide Developers Conference: the platform updates that Apple showed off are fairly brimming with new features. But running down the list it also becomes clear that this was a bit of a search-and-destroy exercise for Apple’s engineers, as they crossed off a whole metric ton of requests and “missing” features that have, in some cases, been lingering for years.
Perhaps these updates are more like “filling gaps” releases, but in any case, there’s a lot here that suggests Apple isn’t simply trying to look to what’s next but to fix what’s come before and level the playing field across all its platforms.
Filling in the gaps
Case in point: though the very first iPhone shipped with a Weather app, a similar program has never appeared on either the iPad or the Mac—until now. Twelve years after the release of its tablet, Apple has finally deigned to bring Weather to the iPad and Mac, thanks in no small part to its acquisition of weather app/service Dark Sky in 2020. Likewise, the Mac also gained a Clock app, which had previously existed on iPad and iPhone, as well as Siri commands for setting timers.
The Mac finally gets Weather and Clock apps.
Apple
While the addition of the apps is positive merely in terms of having them at one’s disposal, it also shows that Apple is pushing hard on the idea of bringing parity to its platforms. As macOS, iPadOS, and iOS grow closer together (not only running much of the same code, but now even running on the same underlying hardware), Apple clearly wants to be in a position to roll out new apps and features across all of its devices, where they make sense. (The Mac, for example, may not get a Wallet app anytime soon.)
Parity not only maintains the experience when going from one platform to another but also sets the table for future developments, making it easier to add subsequent enhancements across all of its various platforms—which continues to make things easier for Apple in years hence.
Checking off the boxes
Many of the features Apple added this year were ones that have been much requested, a fact that Apple SVP Craig Federighi even mentioned on stage. Messages, for example, got the ability to mark messages as unread, unsend them, and edit them. Mail got undo and scheduled sends, improved search, and snoozable reminders. iCloud finally got Shared Photo Libraries. The iPad got improved multitasking via Stage Manager.
Apple ticked off a lot of long-running feature requests, filling holes in functionality that have often forced users to turn to third-party apps (in cases where workable substitutes existed). More cynical takes on this might point to Apple trying to draw people away from alternative apps, but the simplest solution is usually the correct one, and in this case, it seems to be more about actually removing frustrations from users of these apps—and doing it an Apple-like way that considers how the features work and what users actually want (as opposed to what they often say they want).
Not every “missing” feature was addressed by this year’s updates, of course (my desire to be able to use any emoji as a tapback in Messages, for example, went sadly unheeded), but Apple did an admirable job of balancing those much-requested features with debuting totally new ones.
Apple Mail for Mac gets some much-requested features.
Apple
Classing up the desktop
But nowhere is Apple’s approach to parity more on display in this year’s WWDC announcements than when Federighi discussed bringing “desktop-class apps” to the iPad.
This category of apps refers primarily to apps that one interacts with via a keyboard and pointing device, such as Apple’s own Magic Keyboard, but more generally it’s a microcosm of this whole trend: filling in gaps of things that apps can do on the Mac, but not yet on the iPad. This includes customizable toolbars, file menus with commonly used commands, systemwide search and replace, and improvements to the multiple-selection mode.
The iPad has always sat between the Mac and the iPhone, but these improvements seem to be more about detaching it from the more constrained environment of its iOS roots and bringing into its own as a fully-fledged operating system on par with macOS.
Of course, well-intentioned that such an initiative is, it’s belied somewhat by the fact that many of Apple’s own professional desktop apps, most notably Final Cut Pro and Logic, still have yet to make the jump to the iPad. So it looks like here, as elsewhere across Apple’s platforms, there are still a few gaps left to fill.
Note: When you purchase something after clicking links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Read our affiliate link policy for more details.
Dan has been writing about all things Apple since 2006, when he first started contributing to the MacUser blog. He’s a prolific podcaster and the author of the Galactic Cold War series, including his latest, The Nova Incident, coming in July 2022.
From iOS 16 to an M2 MacBook Air, Everything Apple Revealed at WWDC 2022
This story is part of WWDC 2022, CNET’s complete coverage from and about Apple’s annual developers conference.
What’s happening
Apple’s annual developer conference, WWDC, is where the company shows off the next versions of its operating systems and occasionally notable new hardware to run them on.
Why it matters
Knowing what’s coming for Apple’s popular product lines is essential when deciding whether to buy now or wait for the next model.
As usual, Apple’s WWDC 2022 was jam-packed with something for everyone, from the latest version of Apple’s flagship iPhone operating system, iOS 16, and its latest chip, the M2, to the newest hardware that puts it all in (or on) your hands — in this case, the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 13. High-profile new features include Safety Check, which is intended to help people in danger of domestic violence.
Want a play-by-play, detailed summary? Check out our archived live blog. Read on for the highlights and links to all our stories.
Watch this: Watch Everything Announced at Apple’s WWDC 2022 Event
14:37
iOS 16
The latest version of the iPhone’s operating system focuses on customization. That includes an updated lock screen with selectable fonts and colors, Apple Watch-style widgets and rotating photos. Notifications will also roll in from the bottom of the screen to keep them from obscuring your photo, and Live Activities like music playback can expand to fill the lock screen.
Messages will allow editing, undoing sends and marking messages unread. SharePlay is improved for easier sharing within FaceTime and Messages. Dictation blends with text and touch on the fly so you can use any input type at any time. Similarly, Live Text (Apple’s answer to Google Lens) expands to video, letting you pause on any frame and interact or grab text from the video.
Apple says it will be able to smartly extract images from a background and automatically paste them into apps like Messages.
Changes to Wallet include more partners for wireless keys, such as car manufacturers, tap-to-pay on iPhone for contactless payments and Apple Pay Later, which splits the cost of a purchase across four payments.
You’ll also see cycling, Look Around high-resolution imagery and expanded details for landmarks and especially detailed coverage for specific cities. It will also show transit card balances.
Apple News is getting expanded sports coverage in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. TV Plus gets Family Sharing for up to five members, with parental controls for apps, movies, books and music. Photos also improves sharing — new shared libraries via iCloud let you collaborate — and offers rules and automatic sharing based on proximity.
On the privacy front, iOS 16 introduces a new feature called Safety Check, which can help you quickly revoke access for someone threatening you, sign out of iCloud on all devices and limit Messages to a single, in-hand device.
CarPlay is redesigned to unify car and iPhone screens, including powering your entire instrument cluster.
The Fitness app comes to the iPhone from the Watch as well.
If you use Apple’s Spatial Audio, you’ll be able to use the depth camera to customize it.
- iOS 16 for the iPhone Debuts at WWDC 2022
- Delete and Edit Messages in iOS 16
- Safety Check for People Facing Domestic Violence
- Apple Wallet Upgrades From WWDC 2022
- Next-Generation Apple CarPlay Previewed at WWDC 2022
- Apple Ends Support for iPhone 6S, iPhone SE and iPhone 7
- Here’s How to Upgrade Your iPhone Lock Screen in iOS 16
Watch this: Apple Updates Privacy Controls in iOS 16
2:11
Watch this: Apple Reveals New MacBook Air Powered by M2 Chip
5:50
MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 13
For the first time in ages, Apple has redesigned the Air, and it’s with the M2 chip in mind. It’s still an aluminum unibody, but now it’s uniformly thin at 11mm and weighs 2.7 pounds. Plus, new colors! MagSafe returns, leaving your two Thunderbolt ports available, and it retains an audio jack. It finally gets an upgrade to a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, with 500 nits max brightness and P3 gamut. A 1080p webcam brings it up to parity with its siblings, along with a quad-speaker system (with Spatial Audio support) and three-mic array.
Thanks to the improved GPU in the M2 and a focus on performance per watt, Apple says the Air delivers the same battery life and better performance. It finally supports fast-charging, and the new adapter has a second USB-C port.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro also gets the M2 chip, with better performance thanks to an active cooling system. It hasn’t been redesigned, though.
The MacBook Air starts at $1,199 (£1,249, AU$1,899). The MacBook Pro starts at $1,299 (£1,349, AU$1,999). They both start shipping next month, and both offer a $100 discount for students and educators.
Apple’s keeping the M1 MacBook Air around as well, offering a sub-$1,000 computer ($999, £999, AU$1,499), again with a $100 education discount.
Watch this: Apple Introduces New MacOS Ventura
9:06
MacOS Ventura
Window management with grouping improves in Stage Manager, which also includes drag-and-drop multitasking. Better Spotlight searching incorporates sports and web image search, full-window search results and more detailed info on music and movies. (In iOS, Spotlight moves to the home screen.)
Search within Mail adds instant suggestions and synonyms, also on mobile. It naturally receives the same updates as iOS for Messages. Safari’s Shared Tab Groups mean you can send friends and family your latest shopping picks. Goodbye passwords and hello Passkeys — Touch ID and Face ID come to Safari for logging into sites. Also on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV, naturally.
Improvements in its Metal graphics API include MetalFX upscaling for faster game rendering and added API for faster loading of game assets. Resident Evil Village and No Man’s Sky are getting ported to the Mac for the first time; Resident Evil Village is coming later this year.
Handoff comes to FaceTime so you can jump from device to device, and Continuity Camera finally lets you use your iPhone camera as your webcam. It will support a split view for straight ahead and desktop views.
Watch this: Continuity Cam Turns Your iPhone Into Your Mac’s Webcam
2:46
WatchOS 9
New watch faces are on the way, including more diverse calendars, the ability to pin apps at the top of the dock, new banner notifications and support for Podcasts for kids with parental controls.
For working out, WatchOS 9 gets a lot more detailed about your running metrics — for instance, tracking how you move up or down to track your form. A new multisport workout can switch between swimming, cycling and running for the appropriate workout and tracking data.
Sleep Stages uses the accelerometer and heart-rate sensor to track what sleep states you’re in and time them. The Watch will be able to track atrial fibrillation history, once it receives clearance from the Food and Drug Administration. Tracking medications in the Health app becomes a little more granular and lets you schedule reminders, so it sounds like a typical full-featured medication app.
Watch this: See the New Apple Wallet for iOS 16
3:05
iPadOS 16
The iPad gets the same updates as iOS 16 as well as a new Weather app. In-OS collaboration allows shared document editing and tab groups, launchable from FaceTime, with update notifications via Messages.
We also got a sneak peek at the Freeform app, a virtual shared whiteboard with drawing tools for group meetings, coming later this year. It supports embedding documents, videos and images, and will be included with all platforms.
Like Ventura, iPadOS gets the new Metal API update for gaming, plus it gets background downloading. Game Center adds Activity rivers, and SharePlay (coming later this year, as well as to iOS and iPadOS) will allow group play.
There are a bunch of tweaks to the interface and capabilities to give iPadOS more desktoplike power. It also adds reference color (Reference Mode) for consistent color matching across devices (personal yay!).
On M1-based iPads, you’ll be able to increase the display’s pixel density to fit more on the screen and use virtual memory. And iPadOS, like Ventura, gets Stage Manager, for a far better multiwindow task-switching experience. When you connect to an external display, it takes better advantage of the second screen via Stage Manager and makes it a little more seamless to use touch and Apple Pencil with a Mac.
After 20 years, Apple officially retires the last remaining iPod
The iPod touch is finally dead.
News
Senior Editor, Macworld
Apple
Pour one out for the iPod, a line of devices that revolutionized portable music more than two decades ago.
On Tuesday, Apple announced that the iPod Touch will no longer be produced. The current model, introduced in 2019, will still be sold while supplies last. It starts at $199 for 32GB. The iPod Touch was the last of the iPod line–essentially an iPhone SE with an A10 processor and no cellular connectivity. It was an iPod in name, but Music was just one of the many apps filling the home screen.
The iPod has a long history, transforming the company when it debuted in 2001. At the time, it was the rare Apple product that wasn’t a Mac—though it did need one to transfer music. The iPod was initially derided for its high $399 price tag, but it would soon take over the world and forever alter the landscape of digital music. The iPod led to broader interoperability with Windows, the iTunes Music Store and later the iPhone, and saved Apple from the brink of bankruptcy and irrelevance.
The iPod touch released in September 2007, just a few months after the iPhone arrived on shelves. However, it hasn’t been promoted as a part of Apple’s product catalog in some time, having lost its lone spot in the Music tab when Apple shuffled its site menu last year. The only way to find it now is to deliberately look for it in the Apple Store and few people are likely doing that.
Apple rightly notes that there’s really no need for a dedicated music player anymore (not that the iPod Touch really was one). “The experience of taking one’s music library out into the world has been integrated across Apple’s product line — from iPhone and Apple Watch to iPad and Mac,” the company notes in its press release. “Today, the spirit of iPod lives on. We’ve integrated an incredible music experience across all of our products, from the iPhone to the Apple Watch to HomePod mini, and across Mac, iPad, and Apple TV. And Apple Music delivers industry-leading sound quality with support for spatial audio — there’s no better way to enjoy, discover, and experience music.”
Without the iPod touch, the cheapest device for kids falls on the 10.2-inch iPad, which starts at $329.
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I have written about technology for my entire adult professional life – over 25 years. I enjoy learning about out how complicated technology works and explaining it in a way anyone can understand.
Apple releases feature updates to Pages, Keynote, and Numbers with productivity improvements and more
Six months after the last update on the iWork suite, Apple is releasing a new version of Pages, Numbers, and Keynote to iPhone, iPad, and Mac users. Here’s everything you need to know about version 12.0.
While version 11.2 brought lots of improvements for the three productivity apps Apple offer, version 12.0 seems more discreet.
For Numbers, Apple is bringing three new features:
- Copy a snapshot of table cells without formulas, categories, or hidden values
- Edit font size more precisely with up to two decimal places
- Create formulas and quickly fill cells with autofill using VoiceOver
For Pages, Apple is bringing improvements for publishing books with larger file sizes and more:
- Publish directly to Apple Books with larger file sizes up to 2 GB
- Insert page numbers anywhere in your document
- Edit font size more precisely with up to two decimal places
- Quickly start writing a new document on iPhone — just touch and hold the Pages app icon on the Home Screen
- Read comments and track changes using VoiceOver
Last but not least, Keynote also has two new features:
- Enlarge slides to a maximum zoom level of 400%
- Edit font size more precisely with up to two decimal places
Since Apple just released these updates, it might take a while for you to download them on your devices.
Apple announces WWDC 2022 will again be ‘all-online’
This year’s developers conference will take place June 6-10, and Apple isn’t ready to go back to an in-person event yet.
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Staff Writer, Macworld
Apple
Apple has formally announced that this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will once again be held as an online-only event from June 6-10, with free attendance for all developers.
Apple’s announcement contains the typical language, stating: “Building on the success of the past two years of virtual events, WWDC22 will showcase the latest innovations in iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, while giving developers access to Apple engineers and technologies to learn how to create groundbreaking apps and interactive experiences.”
In other words, expect the keynote on June 6 to reveal iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and tvOS 16, macOS 13, and watchOS 9. Apple’s developer conference almost always takes place in June. The image accompanying the announcement is a stylized version of the logo for Apple’s programming language Swift, so we can probably expect some significant announcements to go along with Apple’s Swift and SwiftUI tools.
With the exception of 2006, when the conference was held in August, it has been nearly 20 years since WWDC wasn’t held in early June. In recent years, Apple has used the event to preview the major operating system updates that are coming in the fall, with a beta release for developers following shortly after and a public beta within a month or so.
Other products and services are often revealed at WWDC, often those that cater to developers. In 2019, we got a look at the new Mac Pro and ProDisplay XDR, and in 2017 the HomePod, iMac Pro, and 10.5-inch iPad Pro were revealed. In the last two years, and in 2018, there was no new hardware revealed–though in 2020 Apple did detail its plans to transition away from Intel processors to its own silicon.
While the event is online, Apple plans to host a special limited event for developers and students at Apple Park on June 6 to watch the keynote and State of the Union videos together. Apple says details about how to attend will be available soon. Apple will also once again hold a Swift Student Challenge for budding developers. Students can submit their work for consideration through April 25.
Apple Releases iOS 15.3.1 and iPadOS 15.3.1 With Security Updates and Bug Fixes
Apple today released iOS 15.3.1 and iPadOS 15.3.1, two minor updates to the iOS and iPadOS operating systems released in September 2021. iOS and iPadOS 15.3.1 come two weeks after the release of iOS and iPadOS 15.3.
The iOS 15.3.1 and iPadOS 15.3.1 updates can be downloaded for free and the software is available on all eligible devices over-the-air in the Settings app. To access the new software, go to Settings > General > Software Update.
According to Apple’s release notes, iOS 15.3.1 and iPadOS 15.3.1 fix an issue that could cause Braille displays to stop responding. The updates also provide important security fixes for the iPhone and the iPad. Apple’s accompanying security support document explains that software addresses a WebKit bug that could allow maliciously crafted web content to lead to arbitrary code execution.
Apple says that it is aware of a report that the vulnerability may have been actively exploited, so it is important for iPhone and iPad users to update to the new iOS 15.3.1 and iPadOS 15.3.1 as soon as possible.
What to Expect From Apple’s Upcoming 2022 iPhone SE 5G
Friday February 4, 2022 2:08 PM PST by Juli Clover
Apple is working on an updated version of its most affordable iPhone, and the new 2022 version of the iPhone SE could be coming out within a matter of weeks. While not the most exciting refresh, there are some features that are going to be great at the $399 price point that the iPhone SE sells at.
This guide covers everything that we know about the upcoming iPhone SE based on rumors and past release history.
Design
We are not expecting any design changes for the next version of the iPhone SE. It’s going to continue to look like the current 2020 iPhone SE, which is modeled after the iPhone 8. The current iPhone SE is available in black, white, and (PRODUCT)RED, so we could see similar color options for the new model.
It will feature a 4.7-inch LCD display with thick bezels and a Touch ID Home button, making it Apple’s most modern iPhone that still offers Touch ID. All other iPhones have transitioned to Face ID, and there are rumors that future versions of the low-cost iPhone will do so as well, but not at this time.
The back of the device will be made of glass to facilitate wireless charging, but it won’t include MagSafe technology. Like old models, the new iPhone SE will feature IP67 water and dust resistance. We’re also not expecting changes to the battery life given the lack of design updates, so battery life will likely be the same.
5G Speeds
5G connectivity will be the major selling point of the new iPhone SE, with Apple bringing 5G speeds to a much more affordable iPhone. At the current time, Apple’s cheapest 5G iPhone is the $599 iPhone 12 mini, but the iPhone SE will be a good deal cheaper if the rumors are accurate.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said it will be the most affordable 5G iPhone available, and in terms of connection speeds, it could be on par with Apple’s iPhone 13 and 13 Pro models. It’s worth noting that with the iPhone 13 models, the fastest mmWave 5G speeds are limited to the United States, and that’s likely to be the case with the iPhone SE as well should it support mmWave speeds.
We haven’t really heard either way if Apple plans to limit the more affordable iPhones to sub-6GHz networks, but it seems unlikely.
Updated Processor
The current iPhone SE has an A13 Bionic chip, and the 2022 model is expected to get a newer, faster chip. Apple could opt to go with the A15 chip, putting it on par with the iPhone 13 models, though we’ve also heard a rumor about the A14.
When the 2020 iPhone SE was released, it included the same A13 chip that had been used in the iPhone 11 models the prior September, so we could see the same situation in 2022 with the new iPhone SE adopting the A15.
Battery Life
The current iPhone SE lasts for 13 hours when watching videos, eight hours when streaming videos, and 40 hours when listening to audio, and it is capable of fast charging and can charge to 50 percent in 30 minutes when using an 18W power adapter or higher.
Cameras
The iPhone SE is expected to feature an updated camera, and it could adopt the latest Wide-Angle camera from the iPhone 13. We don’t know specifics at this time, but camera improvements are planned.
The current iPhone SE features a 7-megapixel front-facing camera and a single-lens 12-megapixel rear camera.
Naming
Apple could call the new iPhone SE the iPhone SE 5G to differentiate it from the 2020 version, but it could also just stick with the standard iPhone SE name.
Display analyst Ross Young has said that the iPhone SE could be called the “iPhone SE Plus” even though it’s not getting a larger display, but that seems unlikely because historically, the “Plus” naming has denoted a larger screen size.
Pricing
The 2022 iPhone SE is expected to be priced starting at $399, which is the same asking price as the current 2020 model.
Release Date
Apple is planning to hold an event in early March, likely on Tuesday, March 8. This event will focus on the iPhone SE, the iPad Air, and at least one new Mac with an M1 Pro/Max chip, likely the Mac mini.
A Future iPhone SE
We’ve heard rumors of another low-cost iPhone possibly in the iPhone SE family that features an all-display design, and this iPhone SE with a larger display and no Home button is expected to come out in 2023 or 2024.
Display analyst Ross Young believes that Apple is working on a version of the iPhone SE with a larger 5.7 to 6.1-inch display and a hole-punch camera slated. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also said that a larger version of the iPhone SE will launch in 2023, featuring an updated, bigger display and 4GB RAM.
Back in 2019, Kuo said there would be an “iPhone SE Plus” with a full-screen design, no Face ID, and a Touch ID fingerprint sensor built into the power button on the side of the device, but such a device did not surface. It’s possible Apple was working on this iPhone SE for an earlier launch, but pushed it back.
The quickest way to sign your important documents on a Mac
You don’t need a third-party app or online service to sign your important documents — there’s a built-in MacOS tool for that.
Your Mac already has everything you need to quickly sign a document.
Óscar Gutiérrez/CNETThe easiest way to sign your documents is on your computer. All you have to do is download the right document, sign with your finger and then send the document via email or print it out. It’s a streamlined process, but if you’re a Mac owner, you may be signing your documents the wrong way.
You might be using third-party software like Adobe Acrobat Reader to sign your important documents like lease papers or taxes, but there’s another, easier way to do it. Using the Preview application, which comes built-in to MacOS, you can sign pretty much any document in seconds.
Now playing: How to sign a PDF on your Mac in a few easy steps
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The first step is to input your signature on your Mac (more below). Then every time after that you’ll simply select the signature you saved, and your Mac will apply it to the document that needs to be signed. Easy peasy.
Add your signature with just a couple of clicks.
Nelson Aguilar/CNETHow to input your digital signature on your Mac
The first thing you’ll need to do is add your signature to your Mac, which you can do within Preview. To start:
- Open the document you want to sign in Preview.
- Now, click on the Markup icon.
- Next, click the Signature button.
- Select Create Signature.
Apple will sync your signature with your iCloud account, making it available in Preview on any Mac you’ve signed in to with your Apple ID.
You have three options to create a digital version of your signature:
- Trackpad: Select this option if you want to write your signature on your Mac’s trackpad using your finger.
- Camera: Sign a piece of paper and then hold it up to your Mac’s camera. Preview will recognize your writing, then digitize it.
- iPhone/iPad: Select this option to write your signature on a connected device.
Move and resize your signature while adding it to your document.
Nelson Aguilar/CNETHow to add your signature to a PDF
Now that setup is done, your signature is in the system and you’ll see just how fast it is to sign documents in Preview.
With your document open in Preview, follow the same process we just outlined, except that after clicking on the signature button, click on your signature.
A small box that includes your signature will show up in the document, which you can then drag around and resize. After you’ve lined up your signature, you can save the document and then share it.
I timed how long it takes me to open a document and click the appropriate buttons to add a signature, and I was able to get it done in under a minute, and that includes adding the date by clicking on the add text button in Preview.
Now that you’ve mastered signing documents at record speed, make sure to check out even more hidden Mac tips and this hidden MacOS feature that lets you use your voice to quickly type on your Mac.
iOS 15.3 now available to iPhone users, here’s what’s new
Apple’s latest round of software updates is now rolling out to the public. iOS 15.3 is now available to iPhone users with performance improvements, bug fixes, and security enhancements. Furthermore, iPadOS 15.3 is now available to iPad users, while watchOS 8.4 is rolling out for Apple Watch.
iOS 15.3 foregoes new features in favor of under-the-hood bug fixes and improvements. One of the most notable changes here is a fix for a Safari vulnerability that may have been leaking your browsing history and Google ID data to the websites you visited.
The bug was first discovered by FingerprintJS, which detailed how websites could use an exploit found in IndexedDB (a Javascript API used for storing data) to access URLs recently visited by a user and even obtain the user’s Google ID and related personal data. This vulnerability has now been patched in iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3, as we first reported would happen last week.
- iOS 15.3 RC fixes Safari bug that gives websites access to browsing history and Google ID data
- Safari bug can leak some of your Google account info and recent browsing history
- Apple working on a fix for Safari bug that leaks browsing history and Google ID
Apple’s release notes for iOS 15.3 are short and to the point: “iOS 15.3 includes bug fixes and security updates for your iPhone and is recommended for all users.”
You can update your iPhone to iOS 15.3 and your iPad to iPadOS 15.3 by heading to the Settings application, choosing General, then choosing Software Update. The build number of today’s releases of iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3 is 19D50.
Apple is also rolling out watchOS 8.4 for Apple Watch users today. This update also focuses on bug fixes and performance improvements. You can update your Apple Watch to watchOS 8.4 by going to the Settings app on your Apple Watch or using the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
The Best iPad Keyboard Shortcuts You Should Start Using Now
Multitask more quickly with these must-use shortcuts and trackpad gestures.
The iPad is a capable laptop replacement in many ways, and iPadOS multitasking features and Apple’s Magic Keyboard take that to the next level. iPadOS differs from iOS in several ways, and includes keyboard shortcuts and trackpad gestures that unlock functionality you can’t get on an iPhone.
First thing’s first: To get started with iPad keyboard shortcuts and gestures, you’ll need to set up a keyboard and trackpad with your iPad—either the official Magic Keyboard or a third-party option. If you want to see the available keyboard shortcuts for the app you’re currently using, press and hold the Command button and choose between the different categories that show up on screen.
Some of the common ones you might see are Cmd+C to copy, Cmd+V to paste, and Cmd+Z to undo the most recent action, for example. These match the same shortcuts on macOS on the desktop, and certainly make it easier to handle text editing—you can use Command+I for italics, Command+B for bold, and Command+U for underlined text too, which you’re probably familiar with in word processing apps.
In several apps, you can use Command+N to create a new file, Command+O to open an existing file, and Command+P to print the current file. Others are more specific, such as Command+R to reply to messages and Command+Shift+F to forward emails in the default Mail app that Apple develops. In Apple Calendar, hold down Command and tap a number from 1–4 to switch between the different views.
The iPhone SE+ 5G will become available in late April or early May, claims analyst
Display Supply Chain Consultants CEO Ross Young has more information on the iPhone SE+ 5G to dish out. Production of display panels for the new model is starting this month, which means that Apple can unveil the SE+ in late April or early May and it will be able to start shipping out orders in that same period.
The new model will use the old design, according to all the leaks so far. There is some uncertainty as to whether it will keep using the same 4.7” LCD with the Touch ID button on the front. One thing is clear though, the focus of this release will be the 5G connectivity.
The second generation Apple iPhone SE
The 2020 SE model was powered by the Apple A13 chipset and featured a 4G modem (the same configuration as the iPhone 12 series from half a year earlier). The new SE will get a newer chipset and modem – rumors from a few months ago claimed it will use the same Apple A15 chip and Snapdragon X60 modem as the iPhone 13 series.
The iPhone SE+ 5G is supposed to launch alongside the new iPad Air, which will probably be powered by that same A15 chipset. TSMC’s 5 nm foundries have their work cut out for them, considering that the iPhone 13 series is quite popular there are several new A15-based devices incoming.
Do Golfers Need An Apple Watch?
I’ve reviewed a lot of golf gadgets over the years for MyGolfSpy: GPS and laser range finders, swing trainers, electronic gadgets and general fitness sensors. In just the past year, I tried the Lagshot, Tag Heuer’s Connected smart watch, the Oura ring and, most recently, the Whoop 4.0 strap.
While conducting the reviews, I started wondering if there wasn’t a better way to accomplish all these goals with one single piece of technology. Do I really need all of these separate apps or are Apple Watch a better does-it-all solution?
I’ll admit that I’m late to the Apple Watch party. In fact, I kept calling it the iWatch for the longest time. But maybe this unfamiliarity is exactly why the Apple Watch kept jumping into my head. Obviously, I knew the Apple Watch existed. I just hadn’t spent time with one. That said, it kept sliding across my mind as the gadget that could accomplish nearly everything a golfer would need.
So, in the spirit of exploration, I ordered an Apple Watch. It was time to find out once and for all if this watch was the must-have piece of golf technology.
Apple Watch Golf Apps
Let’s jump right into the “for golf” discussion. Obviously, how the Apple Watch works as a golf watch is going to come down to the apps. One search through the Apple App Store and you’ll see there are a whole bunch of Apple Watch golf apps available. Maybe not as many golf apps as there are for the iPhone but there is a whack of Apple Watch apps. What’s cool is that many of the golf apps that you are using currently also have expanded functionality once you add an Apple Watch to the mix.
I was interested in two main categories of apps. First, I wanted to see what was available to use during play. Second, are there apps that could help me play better? Out of the overwhelming number of Apple Watch golf apps available, here are a few that I can see myself using consistently.
TheGrint
TheGrint’s Apple Watch app does exactly what an Apple Watch app should do. It moves the “during play” functionality and interface from the iPhone to the watch. This is not unique to TheGrint but I’m using their app as an example since I have used it on my phone to track rounds played for the past year.
Shifting functionality to the watch makes using the app so much better. It is easier to check yardages and enter scores from your wrist than is from your phone. It really allows you to keep your phone in the cart or in your bag while you play.
The watch app doesn’t do everything that the phone app does. You’ll still need your phone to post scores and to upload scorecard pictures after the round. However, during the round, the Apple Watch has your needs covered, including those looking to play drink-a-hole rounds.
Read the entire article HERE
New 27-inch iMac Said to Launch in Multiple Colors
Apple’s upcoming 27-inch iMac will feature a thinner exterior design and be available in multiple colors like its 24-inch counterpart, according to a new report today.
Apple’s 24-inch iMac in various colors
Apple’s larger-screened iMac has been rumored for a while to be similar in design to the 24-inch iMac and the Pro Display XDR, but previous rumors about the bigger all-in-one Mac have suggested it will feature black bezels and have a darker color scheme to differentiate it as a more professional machine, similar to the discontinued iMac Pro (rumors suggest it could even adopt the “Pro” moniker to distinguish it further).
However, the latest report from DigiTimes claims Apple intends to offer the 27-inch iMac in various colors, although whether that means Apple will use the same color scheme as the 24-inch iMac is unclear.
Twitter leaker @dylandkt previously claimed that the new 27-inch iMac will feature a similar design as the 24-inch iMac that launched earlier this year, but with a darker color scheme.
Earlier this year, when Apple revealed that the 24-inch iMac would be available in a range of fun colors, many observers noted the similarity it bears to the original 1998 all-in-one desktop, the iMac G3, which was offered in several colors and paired with a light gray bezel. If the latest report is accurate, Apple is in the midst of a back-to-roots design overhaul for its entire iMac line.
The upcoming Apple silicon-powered ”iMac Pro” is expected to launch in the spring of 2022, perhaps at a spring event. It will replace the current Intel-based 27-inch iMac, one of the last Mac models to still use Intel processors. Today’s report also claimed it will not feature a display with mini-LED but will instead keep the LCD panel previously used. For everything we know about the upcoming larger iMac, check out our dedicated guide.
Apple’s new all-in-one desktops have a completely different look.
Apple announced iMac updates today at its event in Brooklyn, New York. As expected, the updates improve the desktop’s performance with new processors while maintaining the design we’ve known iMacs to have for the past couple of years.
Apple says the new system was designed from the ground up around the M1 system on a chip (SoC), allowing for a much smaller motherboard and cooling system than that seen in the company’s earlier Intel-powered iMacs. The new iMac’s overall volume is down by 50 percent and comes in at only 11 mm thick, with a single sheet of glass across the entire front of the device.
The iMac comes with a 4.5K Retina 24-inch display with very small bezels, resulting in a device not much larger than earlier 21-inch iMacs. The new displays also include TruTone technology, which dynamically adjusts color temperature in response to changes in the surrounding ambient light.
The M1 iMac’s 1080 p camera is also improved, taking advantage of the M1’s onboard image processing and neural engine. Tone mapping increases detail and reduces noise in highlighted areas automatically. Similarly, beamforming on the mic array improves the quality of your voice (and decreases ambient noise) during videoconferencing.
The new iMac includes a six-speaker system, which Apple confidently declares as “the best sound system ever in a Mac.” The system supports spatial audio for both games and movies.
Like M1 Macbooks and Mac Minis, the M1-powered iMac wakes near-instantly from sleep. Apple also says that apps like Xcode, Lightroom, and iMovie are up to 85 percent faster than previous models. Final Cut Pro can now simultaneously edit up to five 4K video streams without dropping a frame.
The M1 processor also allows iPhone apps and games to run directly on the iMac. Phone calls and text messages can also come directly to the iMac, and Universal Clipboard allows copying and pasting directly between iPhone and M1 iMac. There’s also a phone-like biometric fingerprint sensor on the new keyboard.
The M1 iMac offers up to four USB-C ports (two Thunderbolt), a new magnetically coupled power cord with an Ethernet adapter built into the power brick, which passes network traffic through the power cord itself thanks to Thunderbolt.
The new iMacs will be available in four colors and will start at $1,299, and a second model will come in seven colors and start at $1,499. Preorders begin on April 30, with delivery beginning in the second half of May.