What to Expect From CarPlay on iOS 18

iOS 18 will be unveiled at Apple's annual developers conference WWDC in less than two weeks, and the update will include some new features for CarPlay.

Below, we recap new accessibility features that Apple recently previewed for CarPlay, and discuss the current status of the promised next-generation CarPlay.

WWDC keynote on June 10, and a public beta is usually released in July, which will allow iPhone users to test out the new CarPlay features. As usual, the update should be widely released in September.

New Accessibility Features

Sound Recognition is coming to CarPlay

In a press release earlier this month, Apple highlighted three new accessibility features coming to CarPlay as part of iOS 18:

Voice Control: This feature will allow users to navigate CarPlay and control apps with just their voice.

Color Filters: This feature will make the CarPlay interface visually easier to use for individuals with color blindness.

Sound Recognition: This feature will enable drivers or passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing to receive notifications on CarPlay for driving-related sounds, such as car horns and sirens.

All three of these features are already available on the iPhone and iPad.

Next-Generation CarPlay

Porsche's next-generation CarPlay preview

It has been nearly two years since Apple first previewed next-generation CarPlay at WWDC 2022, and it has still yet to become available in any vehicles.

Apple's website says the first vehicle models with next-generation CarPlay will "arrive in 2024," but nothing has materialized yet. Aston Martin and Porsche previewed next-generation CarPlay designs in December, but Aston Martin has been silent ever since and Porsche continues to release vehicles without next-generation CarPlay. In addition, Mercedes-Benz has seemingly reversed course on adopting next-generation CarPlay, despite being on Apple's list of committed automakers shown at WWDC 2022.

could be compatible with some iOS 17 versions too.

Related Roundups: CarPlay, iOS 18

Related Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology

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Apple's M3 MacBook Air Gets Record Low Discounts With Up to $200 Off Select Models

Amazon today has nearly every model of the 13-inch and 15-inch M3 MacBook Air on sale, starting at $999.00 for the 256GB 13-inch model, down from $1,099.00. In the case of the 15-inch MacBook Air, we're tracking a matching sale at Best Buy.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

13-Inch M3 MacBook Air

You can also get both 512GB models of the 13-inch M3 MacBook Air on sale right now on Amazon. The 8GB RAM/512GB SSD is on sale for $1,199.00 and the 16GB RAM/512GB SSD is on sale for $1,349.00, which are $100 off and $150 off respectively, with the latter deal representing a match of the all-time low price on the 16GB model.

$100 OFF

13-inch M3 MacBook Air (256GB) for $999.00

$100 OFF

13-inch M3 MacBook Air (8GB/512GB) for $1,199.00

$150 OFF

13-inch M3 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB) for $1,349.00

15-Inch M3 MacBook Air

You can find all-time low prices across the 15-inch M3 MacBook Air lineup at both Amazon and Best Buy, including up to $200 off these 2024 computers. Both retailers have the 256GB and 8GB/512GB models for $100 off, but you'll only find the record low $200 discount on the high-end model at Amazon.

$100 OFF

15-inch M3 MacBook Air (256GB) for $1,199.00

$100 OFF

15-inch M3 MacBook Air (8GB/512GB) for $1,399.00

$200 OFF

15-inch M3 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB) for $1,499.00

Apple Deals roundup.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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Beats Solo Buds Available to Order June 18, Launching June 20

Following a late April announcement, the upcoming Beats Solo Buds will be available to order starting Tuesday, June 18, with a launch coming two days later on Thursday, June 20.

Priced at $79.99, Beats Solo Buds deliver 18 hours of battery life and come in the smallest case ever designed for Beats earbuds. The case does not contain its own battery, and an external power source must be connected to the case via USB-C to recharge the buds.

Beats Solo Buds feature a custom-built acoustic architecture and an ergonomic design with four ear tip size options for a precise fit. There is no active noise cancelation on the Beats Solo Buds, but they do offer passive noise isolation to improve audio quality. A custom microphone design paired with an advanced noise-learning algorithm help deliver improved call quality.

Beats Solo Buds will be launching at Apple and authorized resellers and will be available in four colors: Matte Black, Storm Gray, Arctic Purple, and Transparent Red. In the United States, the Arctic Purple color will be exclusive to Apple and Target, both in-store and online.

Tag: Beats

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Apple to Open First Retail Store in Malaysia on June 22

Apple is set to open its first retail store in Malaysia on June 22, marking a significant expansion of its physical retail presence in south-east Asia. The new store will be located in Kuala Lumpur at The Exchange TRX mall.

The store features a unique, tiered white pyramid architectural design. This will be the sixth Apple Store in south-east Asia, following three in Singapore and two in Thailand.

webpage for the store and shared a number of wallpapers for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac to celebrate its opening, incorporating the Apple logo and the word "Jom," which means "let's go" or "come on" in Malay.

While Apple does not manufacture iPhones in Malaysia, it does produce some Mac models in the country. Apple's decision to establish a retail store in Malaysia is part of its strategy to expand its retail footprint in key Asian markets, where it faces fierce competition from local tech companies.

Tag: Retail

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VR Games Job Simulator and Vacation Simulator Launch on Apple Vision Pro

Popular VR games Job Simulator and Vacation Simulator are now available for the Apple Vision Pro.

Job Simulator is a VR game where automation and robots have replaced all human jobs. Players can relive what it was like to work as a human with not-so historically accurate recreations of jobs that include an office worker, gourmet chef, and store clerk.

The game uses hand tracking for control purposes, which means no controller is required. Hands can be used for interacting with, throwing, and smashing objects.

Vacation Simulator is similar to Job Simulator, but it provides a simulated vacation experience. Activities include ice sculpting, swimming, knitting mittens, building snowhumans, doing yoga, painting, taking selfies, and more in forest, mountain, and beach scenes.

Vacation Simulator and Job Simulator have previously been available on Steam VR, Oculus devices, and PlayStationVR, and were released in 2019 and 2016, respectively.

App Store for $19.99, while Vacation Simulator is priced at $29.99.

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T-Mobile Announces UScellular Acquisition, Promises Improved Connectivity in Rural Areas

T-Mobile today announced plans to purchase UScellular's wireless operations for $4.4 billion, a deal that includes UScellular's wireless customers, stores, and select cellular spectrum.

According to T-Mobile, the purchase will provide millions of UScellular customers access to the T-Mobile network, improving connectivity in underserved rural areas. T-Mobile also plans to use the spectrum and wireless assets from UScellular to expand its home broadband offerings.

T-Mobile's press release suggests that wireless customers across the United States will "benefit from enhanced choice and competition," wording aimed at the federal regulators who will need to approve the deal. UScellular will retain ownership of some of its spectrum and its towers, with T-Mobile planning to lease space on approximately 2,000 towers.

UScellular customers will have the option to stay on their existing plans or move to an unlimited T-Mobile plan with no switching costs.

occurring in 2020 after it was previously called off in 2014. U.S. regulators have been concerned with the lack of a fourth major carrier in the United States and could be hesitant to approve yet another T-Mobile purchase.

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Check Out This LEGO Apple Store

LEGO has an "Ideas" website that allows fans to submit mockups and suggestions for future LEGO sets, and one fan recently designed a detailed Apple Store that any Apple enthusiast would love to build.

The LEGO Apple Store's design isn't made to resemble a specific store, but instead uses the design elements that Apple has incorporated into many of its locations. There's an all-glass facade with trees in pots, minifigures in classic Apple blue shirts, and an upstairs area reached by a set of stairs.

Inside, there are tables with different iPhones and Macs on display, a section for headphones, and product boxes on shelves. There's also a colorful display upstairs, a big white Apple logo at the front of the store, and exterior area housing large versions of some of Apple's most iconic products.

If the LEGO ‌Apple Store‌ gets 10,000 "supporters" or votes on the LEGO ideas site, LEGO will review it and will consider it for an official retail set. It is unclear if Apple would approve such a set, and it is unknown if it will pass LEGO's review. LEGO evaluates submissions based on existing products, products already in development, brand fit, expected demand, licensing possibilities, build quality, and more.

the Starry Night LEGO set that is now available for sale.

Tag: LEGO

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Apple Stops Signing iOS 17.5, Downgrading No Longer an Option

Apple today stopped signing iOS 17.5, preventing iPhone users from downgrading to that version of iOS. The update is no longer being signed after the May 20 release of iOS 17.5.1.

It is not unusual for Apple to stop signing an older version of iOS, and it typically happens a week or two after a new version of iOS comes out. When an update is no longer signed, it means it is no longer able to be installed on an ‌iPhone‌ per a server side software verification check.

Apple prevents users from installing older versions of iOS to encourage customers to keep their operating systems up to date with the latest security improvements.

deleted photos to reappear on an iPhone. The update is now the only publicly released version of iOS available.

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Nomad Launches Qi-Rechargeable Find My Tracking Card to Prevent Lost Wallets

Nomad today announced the launch of the Tracking Card, a super thin Find My-enabled card that is designed to be carried in a wallet so that it's trackable with an iPhone.

The Tracking Card is about the thickness of two credit cards (2mm), so it doesn't take up too much space in a wallet. It's also credit card sized, which means it can be carried right alongside other cards. There are several Find My cards on the market now, and 2mm is among the thinnest that are available. The Eufy SmartTrack, Chipolo CARD Spot, and Tile Slim are all a bit thicker.

One side of the black plastic card is largely plain except for a logo, and the other side has a second subtle Nomad logo with light gray lines representing the hardware that's inside the card. It's not identifiable as a ‌Find My‌ tracking card, so if someone steals your wallet, it won't immediately tip the thief off that it's trackable. It actually looks a lot like a key card.

There's a hidden button on the card that's pressed to add it to ‌Find My‌, and adding it to the app is as simple as opening it up, pressing the "+" button, and then holding down the pairing button on the Tracking Card. From there, it can be given a name and an icon, and it's trackable right alongside other ‌Find My‌ items and also Apple devices with ‌Find My‌.

Nomad's Tracking Card connects to the ‌iPhone‌ over Bluetooth, but it is also able to take advantage of the full ‌Find My‌ network, utilizing nearby Apple devices if it is out of range of your own ‌iPhone‌. ‌Find My‌ provides the current location if it's with you, or the Tracking Card's last known location if it's been located with the ‌Find My‌ network.

When nearby, the Tracking Card can play a sound via ‌Find My‌, which is helpful for locating your wallet if it's been misplaced in the home or nearby. There is no Precision Finding as there is with Apple devices, so the ‌Find My‌ app can't lead you directly to the Tracking Card. The beeping is not loud enough to hear it from another room in most cases, especially if it's buried in couch cushions or similarly hidden, but it should be loud enough if you're in the same room with the card.

You can set the Tracking Card to notify you if it's left behind, which means it sends an alert when your ‌iPhone‌ gets out of range. That's perhaps the most useful feature of the ‌Find My‌ network because it lets you know right away if you've misplaced or dropped something.

There are options to get directions to the Tracking Card in the ‌Find My‌ app, plus you can share it with family members so they can track it and Lost Mode is available for adding your contact information should your wallet be lost. As with other ‌Find My‌ accessories, Nomad is able to deliver firmware updates should new software be needed.

MagSafe chargers and they were all able to provide power, with charging indicated by a small red LED on the card. The light turns green when it's fully charged, and turns off when there's no charger connected. There is a small amount of metal inside, but it's enough that it's able to be attached to upright chargers as well as flat chargers. There isn't a magnet in the card so it's not going to affect the magnetic stripe on credit and debit cards.

According to Nomad, a single charge should last for around five months, so it isn't going to need to be charged often. Nomad says IPX7 waterproofing is included, so if the card happens to get wet, it'll survive.

Many of the wallet-sized Bluetooth trackers on the market do not have a rechargeable or replaceable battery inside, so it's nice that Nomad has designed the Tracking Card to last more than a couple of years. With the Chipolo Card Spot or Eufy SmartTrack, the entire device needs to be thrown out when the built-in battery dies.

on Amazon with the same Qi technology for around $10 to $15 less, so Qi charging for trackers isn't a totally new idea. Of course, these are not known Apple accessory makers so quality and functionality is unverified, plus the reviews are mixed, but there are other options out there.

Note that like all ‌Find My‌ Bluetooth tracking accessories, the Tracking Card from Nomad only works with Apple devices. It cannot be used on the Android platform.

purchased from the Nomad website as of today.

Note: Nomad provided MacRumors with a Tracking Card for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Tag: Nomad

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Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 2 Firmware

Apple today released new firmware update for both the Lightning and USB-C versions of the AirPods Pro 2. The new firmware is version 6F7, up from the 6B34 firmware released in November.

Apple does not provide details on what features might be included in the refreshed firmware so it is unclear what's new in the update.

Apple does not give customers instructions on how to upgrade AirPods software, but firmware is generally installed over-the-air while the ‌‌AirPods‌‌ are connected to an iOS device. Putting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ in the case, connecting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to a power source, and then pairing the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to an iOS device or Mac should force the update.

You can check your ‌‌‌AirPods‌‌ firmware by following these steps:

Connect your ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ to your iOS device.

Open the Settings app.

Tap General.

Tap About.

Tap ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌.

Look at the number next to "Firmware Version."

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Apple Design Award Finalists Announced Ahead of WWDC 2024

As we prepare for the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple today announced its finalists for the Apple Design Awards. Apple chooses the best apps and games annually, announcing the winners at WWDC.

The Apple Design Awards are meant to highlight apps with outstanding design, innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement. Apps have been selected in the following categories: Delight and Fun, Inclusivity, Innovation, Interaction, Social Impact, Visuals and Graphics, and Spatial Computing. The last category is a new addition this year that's focused on Vision Pro apps.

Delight and Fun

Dudel Draw

Bears Gratitude

Rooms

WHAT THE CAR?

NYT Games

Hello Kitty Island Adventure

Inclusivity

Oko

Complete Anatomy 2024

Tiimo

Unpacking

Quadline

Crayola Adventures

Innovation

Copilot Money

SmartGym

Procreate Dreams

Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile

Lost in Play

Wavelength

Interaction

Procreate Dreams

Arc Search

Crouton

Little Nightmares

Rytmos

finity.

Social Impact

How We Feel

Ahead: Emotions Coach

Gentler Streak Fitness Tracker

The Wreck

Cityscapes: Sim Builder

The Bear

Visuals and Graphics

Sunlitt

Meditate

Rooms

Death Stranding Director's Cut

Lies of P

Honkai: Star Rail

Spatial Computing

Sky Guide

NBA

djay

Synth Riders

Blackbox

Loona: Cozy Puzzle Games

One app and one game will be chosen in each category, with Apple to announce winners during the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference. Winners will receive a physical award and hardware to help them continue to create apps and games.

can be found on Apple's website.

Tags: App Store, Apple Design Awards

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Apple Confirms Time for June 10 WWDC Keynote, Shares Full Schedule

Apple today shared details on the schedule that it has prepared for the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference, which is set to take place from June 10 to June 14.

While WWDC always includes a keynote, Apple has confirmed that it will be held on June 10 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Apple is expected to announce iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS 15, tvOS 18, watchOS 11, and visionOS 2, and at this time, we have not heard rumors of hardware.

Apple will follow the keynote with the Platforms State of the Union, and the Apple Design Awards are typically also held on the same day.

10:00 a.m. PDT - Apple Keynote, which provides a first look at "groundbreaking updates" coming to Apple platforms later in the year.

1:00 p.m. PDT - Platforms State of the Union, which will take a deeper dive into the latest advances across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, ‌visionOS‌, and watchOS, and new tools that will further empower Apple developers.

Apple TV app, and YouTube. The Platforms State of the Union will be available on the Apple Developer app and the Apple Developer website.

Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, and they will be able to watch the keynote and the Platforms State of the Union in person.

Throughout WWDC week, Apple is hosting online labs and consultations for developers to get advice on implementing the new features that Apple plans to announce at WWDC, plus there will be more than 100 technical sessions from Apple engineers, designers, and other experts.

Related Roundup: WWDC 2024

Related Forum: Apple, Inc and Tech Industry

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Review: Belkin's 2-in-1 Qi2 Magnetic Charging Pad Powers Up Your iPhone, AirPods, and More

Back at CES in January, Belkin confirmed that several wireless chargers using the Qi2 standard based on MagSafe would soon be rolling out, and I've recently been able to spend some time testing out the BoostCharge 2-in-1 Magnetic Charging Pad from that lineup.

As the name suggests, the BoostCharge 2-in-1 Magnetic Charging Pad with Qi2 15W is a flat pad-style charger offering two surfaces on which to charge devices. One side has a Qi2 wireless charging pad supporting recent iPhone models at up to their maximum of 15 watts, while the other is a 5-watt Qi pad intended to work with AirPods models with wireless charging cases. Other devices which support Qi wireless charging like phones can also be charged on the pad, though they will not align magnetically and will charge at a much slower speed compared to using the Qi2 pad.

iPhone 15 Pro Max quite as quickly as Apple's ‌MagSafe‌ Charger does, but it was fairly close and definitely faster than an original Qi pad which is limited to 7.5 watts for iPhones. The pad was able to boost my ‌iPhone‌'s battery from 30% to around 70% in an hour, though as with all other charging methods, the rate began to slow significantly beyond about 80% to prevent overheating and overcharging as the battery began approaching a full charge.

BoostCharge 3-in-1 Magnetic Charging Pad with an Apple Watch charging puck already included to attach to that USB-C port.)

The BoostCharge 2-in-1 Magnetic Charging Pad is available in either black or white, and the unit is powered by a color-matched 30-watt power adapter and 5-foot (1.5-meter) USB-C to USB-C cable, with both thankfully included in the box. The U.S. power adapter is similar in size and shape to Apple's 20-watt USB-C adapter and unfortunately does not include folding prongs, which would have been convenient for travel. You're of course free to use any USB-C power source of 30 watts or more, so it's easy enough to substitute something that better fits your needs, but I would have liked to see a more travel-friendly adapter right in the box.

The pad design itself is ideal for travel as its minimal thickness allows it to fit nicely in a computer bag or backpack. It is on the heavy side though at around 11 ounces (310 grams) plus the cable and power adapter, which might hamper portability a bit. That heft does, however, contribute to stability on surfaces and makes it easier to detach an ‌iPhone‌ sitting on the magnetic pad. At around 6.4 x 3.2 x 0.6 inches (16.3 x 8.2 x 1.5 cm), the unit is pretty close to the size of an ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max but somewhat thicker due to the slightly elevated Qi2 pad.

The body of the charger is a matte plastic with some arcs of rubber-like material on the bottom to protect surfaces and limit sliding. The Qi2 charging pad on the left has a similar rubber-like surface to protect your phone from scratches, while the lower-power Qi pad on the right is simply a shallow depression in the smooth, hard plastic to help with accurate placement of an AirPods case for charging. Some magnets would have been nice to ensure easy alignment of AirPods cases supporting that feature, but I didn't have any trouble getting my AirPods to register properly with the charger.

The extra USB-C output port is on the right side of the unit, while the USB-C input port is on the rear. There's no status light for the Qi2 pad, but the AirPods pad has a small LED status light in front of it that shines white while a device is charging or orange if there is a charging error. It also briefly flashes white upon plugging the pad in, confirming the unit is receiving power.

Overall, I've found the BoostCharge 2-in-1 Magnetic Charging Pad to be a reliable wireless charging accessory with some nice features but also some minor drawbacks. It has a relatively travel-friendly design, features a clean, unobtrusive look, and reliably charges devices, but the lack of magnetic alignment for the AirPods charging spot and lack of folding prongs on the power adapter are missed opportunities in my opinion.

While the pad design is simple and convenient for travel, some may prefer an angled charging surface for better visibility of the screen while their phone is charging on a desk or nightstand. Fortunately, Belkin offers chargers with that design as well, and even some that convert between the two, so you've got options.

Belkin's BoostCharge 2-in-1 Magnetic Charging Pad is priced at $79.99 in either black or white on both Belkin's site and Amazon. One of the anticipated advantages of Qi2 was the ability to have ‌MagSafe‌ charging performance without the need for Apple's ‌MagSafe‌ licensing that drives costs up, but Belkin's similar BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Official MagSafe Charging is priced at the exact same $79.99. It does lack the extra USB-C output port that the Qi2 model has, but still, I've been hoping for bigger cost savings with Qi2 over ‌MagSafe‌ than I've seen so far.

Belkin also offers a 3-in-1 model that includes an Apple Watch fast charger which mounts directly to the extra USB-C port on the main body of the unit. But due in part to licensing and sourcing of official Apple Watch charging components, moving to the 3-in-1 model adds a whopping $50 to the price, bringing it to $129.99.

Alternatively, you could get the 2-in-1 model and then spend just $29 for an official USB-C Apple Watch charging cable to plug into that USB-C port. It's not as clean a solution as the direct-attach module from Belkin, but it'll save you $20, or there are other multi-device charging solutions available to fit your particular needs.

Note: Belkin provided MacRumors with the BoostCharge 2-in-1 Magnetic Charging Pad with Qi2 15W for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Belkin and Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Tag: Belkin

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Apple's 10th Gen iPad Hits New Low Price of $299.99 on Amazon

Apple's 10th generation 64GB Wi-Fi iPad has hit a new all-time low price today on Amazon, available for $299.99 in two colors, down from $349.00. You can also find another record low price on the 256GB Wi-Fi model, and both of these deals require you to clip an on-page coupon in order to see the deal price at checkout.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

$449.99 in two colors, down from $499.00. Both tablets are available to be delivered as soon as this week, if you are a Prime member (or pay for the fastest delivery option), and early next week otherwise.

Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.

$49 OFF

10th Gen iPad (64GB Wi-Fi) for $299.99

$49 OFF

10th Gen iPad (256GB Wi-Fi) for $449.99

Apple cut the prices of this iPad lineup earlier in the month, and each model is now $100 cheaper. After this, we quickly saw discounts measuring about $20-$30 on Wi-Fi models, and today marks the first time we've tracked steeper $49 markdowns on the new prices of the 10th generation iPad.

Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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Apple Hearing Study Reveals New Insights on Tinnitus

Apple today shared an update on the Apple Hearing Study that reveals new insights into the hearing condition tinnitus.

In one of the largest surveys on tinnitus to date, researchers from the University of Michigan examined data from over 160,000 participants using Apple devices. Tinnitus, defined as the perception of sound without an external source, can manifest as ringing, buzzing, or other sounds and can impact quality of life by disrupting sleep, concentration, and clear hearing.

The study found that 77.6% of participants had experienced tinnitus at some point in their lives. The prevalence of daily tinnitus increased with age, with those aged 55 and older being three times more likely to experience it daily compared to younger participants aged 18-34. Male participants reported a slightly higher incidence of daily tinnitus, at 2.7% more than females, but a higher percentage of males stated they had never experienced tinnitus.

Participants reported employing various methods to manage their tinnitus. The most common strategies included using noise machines, listening to nature sounds, and practicing meditation. Regarding the causes of tinnitus, the study highlighted that noise trauma or exposure to excessively high noise levels was the primary reported cause, cited by 20.3% of participants. Apple highlighted several ways in which its devices can help support hearing health:

Noise app: The Noise app on the Apple Watch can notify users when environmental noise levels may impact their hearing health. The iPhone's Health app tracks a user's history of sound level exposure and indicates if headphone audio or environmental noise levels exceed World Health Organization standards.

Environmental sound levels: Users can view environmental sound levels over the course of a week on the ‌iPhone‌ and check noise levels in decibels on the Apple Watch, ensuring their exposure remains within safe limits.

Active Noise Cancellation and Loud Sound Reduction mode: Active Noise Cancellation on the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max uses built-in microphones to detect and counter external sounds with anti-noise, effectively canceling them before they reach the user's ears. For those who still wish to hear surrounding sounds, the Loud Sound Reduction mode on ‌AirPods Pro‌ (2nd generation) reduces loud noises while maintaining sound quality.

Reduce loud audio: To set a headphone volume limit, users can navigate to Settings, tap "Sounds & Haptics" (on ‌iPhone‌ 7 and later) or "Sounds" (for earlier models), then tap "Headphone Safety" to enable "Reduce Loud Audio" and adjust the slider to the desired decibel level.

full press release for more information.

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New Beats Pill Speaker Listed on Apple's Regulatory Website as Launch Approaches

After appearing alongside athletes and celebrities, in iOS 17.5 code, and in the FCC database over the past month or so, a next-generation Beats Pill speaker has now been listed on Apple's regulatory compliance website for Europe.

The original Beats Pill was a wireless Bluetooth speaker introduced in 2012, prior to Apple's acquisition of Beats. The speaker received a few updates in its first several years on the market, with the final revision being a redesigned Beats Pill+ with a Lightning charging port, introduced under Apple's ownership in 2015. Apple discontinued the Beats Pill+ in early 2022, but a new version now appears to be on the horizon.

The new Beats Pill is likely to feature a USB-C charging port, upgraded Bluetooth, and more. Leaked images revealed a built-in lanyard, which was not available on previous models, along with red, black, and gold color options.

new Solo Buds earbuds in June, so perhaps the new Beats Pill will launch next month too, but Apple has yet to formally announce the speaker. The previous Beats Pill+ was originally priced at $229.95 in the U.S. when it launched in 2015, but it had been available for $179.95 prior to being discontinued.

The listing on Apple's regulatory website was spotted by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.

Tag: Beats

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Apple Green-Lights iPhone 16 Pro Display Production

Samsung Display and LG Display have been granted approval for mass production of OLED screens for Apple's upcoming iPhone 16 Pro models, Korea's The Elec reports.

Both suppliers apparently received approval earlier this month, paving the way for the commencement of mass production of screens for the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models. While Samsung Display will supply OLED screens for all four iPhone 16 models, LG Display will supply screens exclusively for the Pro models. Additionally, BOE is expected to help supply OLED displays for the ‌iPhone 16‌ and ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus.

iPhone 15 Pro OLED screens several months after Samsung Display, allowing Samsung to increase its market share and secure higher prices.

Samsung Display is expected to undergo the approval process for the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max's OLED screens by the end of this month, with LG Display scheduled to follow in the middle of June. Currently, Samsung Display has received approval for the standard ‌iPhone 16‌ and the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌, with the Plus and Pro Max models soon to follow.

The Elec claims that differences between the OLED displays for the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ are minimal, but the bezels may be slightly thinner thanks to Border Reduction Structure (BRS) technology. The entire ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup is expected to launch in the fall.

Related Roundup: iPhone 16 Pro

Tags: OLED, The Elec

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OLED MacBook Pro Could Launch as Soon as 2026

Apple is "highly likely" to introduce new MacBook Pros featuring OLED displays in 2026, market research firm Omdia claims.

According to Omdia's Display long-term demand forecast tracker, demand for OLED displays in mobile devices is projected to grow by 37 percent from 2023 to 2031. This substantial growth reflects a significant shift as many tech companies, including Apple, are increasingly incorporating OLED panels into their high-end notebooks and tablets. Ricky Park, Senior Principal Analyst in Omdia's Display research practice, said:

Apple is highly likely to incorporate OLED into its MacBook Pro models as early as 2026. This move could spark a significant surge in OLED demand within the notebook market, potentially reaching over 60 million units by 2031.

OLED panels can individually control each pixel, resulting in more precise color reproduction and deeper blacks compared to other common display technologies. They also provide superior contrast, faster response times, better viewing angles, and greater design flexibility.

iPad Pro for the first time is projected to triple demand for OLED tablets in 2024 compared to the previous year. The company is expected to bring OLED display technology to most of its tablet lineup, including the iPad mini and iPad Air. This decision is expected to influence competitors' OLED adoption strategies and drive tablet OLED demand to exceed 30 million units by 2029.

report from last week claimed that Samsung has started developing a new 8-inch OLED display panel for the ‌iPad mini‌. The same report predicted that Apple would update the ‌iPad mini‌ and ‌iPad Air‌ with OLED technology in 2026. Last year, Samsung was rumored to be investing $3.14 billion into its facility in Asan, South Korea to produce OLED panels for upcoming 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with OLED displays.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro 14 & 16"

Tags: OLED, Omdia

Buyer's Guide: 14" & 16" MacBook Pro (Neutral)

Related Forum: MacBook Pro

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iPhone Sales Recover in China Amid Surge in Smartphone Demand

Apple's iPhone sales in China surged by 52% in April, reflecting a significant rebound driven by aggressive price cuts and renewed consumer demand, Bloomberg reports.

The surge in shipments from 2.3 million units in April 2023 to 3.5 million units in April 2024, revealed in data from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), follows a series of strategic price reductions from Apple aimed at boosting sales in the region. The ‌iPhone‌'s recovery in China is part of a broader resurgence in the smartphone market, which saw overall sales rise by 25.5% to 22.7 million units in April. The CAICT data revealed that ‌iPhone‌ sales contributed significantly to this growth.

This change comes after a challenging start to the year for Apple in China, where the company experienced a 37% slump in sales during the first two months of 2024. The recovery began in March with a 12% increase in shipments, continuing into April.

Apple's comeback strategy in China involved substantial discounts on iPhones, with price cuts reaching up to 2,300 yuan (approximately $318) on its official Tmall site. These discounts, which are double those initially offered in February, were part of an aggressive campaign to compete with local companies like Huawei.

Bloomberg noted that Apple's market share in China may soon stabilize, as consumer interest in upgrading to new ‌iPhone‌ is increasing. A recent survey indicated that more than half of Chinese consumers are willing to spend over 4,000 yuan (approximately $550) on their next phone, a significant rise from the 33% who currently use premium handsets. This trend toward "premiumization" is expected to benefit Apple just four months away from the debut of the iPhone 16 lineup.

Tag: China

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Apple Says Future iPads Could Feature Landscape Apple Logo

French website Numerama interviewed three senior Apple employees about the new iPad Pro models that launched earlier this month. While the discussion did not reveal many new details, it did mention one potential change for future iPads.

While the Apple logo on the back of iPads is positioned so that it appears upright in vertical orientation, the devices are often used in landscape orientation with a keyboard attached, which results in the Apple logo appearing on its side. Apple even moved the front camera to the longer right-side edge on the new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, so that it appears at the top-center when the devices are in landscape orientation.

With landscape usage becoming increasingly popular, Apple product designer Molly Anderson said a landscape Apple logo is a possibility on future iPads.

"I think it could change," said Anderson, per a computer translation of the French-language interview. "We are thinking about it. The iPad has long been a product that is used in portrait mode, but we are using it more and more in landscape mode."

Related Roundup: iPad Pro

Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Buy Now)

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