As of today, Apple has discontinued all Mac models that had a minimum of 8 GB of RAM. Now, the standard is 16 GB or more.
This change follows the announcement of the new MacBook Pro M4 and updates to the MacBook Air with M2/M3. For the latter models, prices remain the same, but the base RAM has been increased.
Apple has released watchOS 11.1, tvOS 18.1, and visionOS 2.1.
In watchOS 11.1, a bug has been fixed that could cause issues with recording respiratory irregularities in the Health app.
To update Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your iPhone → General → Software Update.
tvOS 18.1 and visionOS 2.1 don’t include noticeable changes, but minor bugs have been fixed and performance improved.
To install tvOS 18, go to Apple TV settings → System → Software Updates → Update Software.
You can install visionOS 2 via Settings → General → Software Update.
In a new interview with The Wall Street Journal, Apple’s Vice President Craig Federighi explained why the company is in no rush to release new Apple Intelligence features.
He stated that this is a deliberate approach the company takes toward development:
‘This is a big step. You can release something and make it somewhat messy. Apple’s perspective is more like: “Let’s try to get each part right and release it when it’s ready.”’
Apple’s approach differs from others because Apple Intelligence mostly works locally, while competitors rely heavily on cloud computing, where user data is sent.
Federighi noted that chatbots like ChatGPT can be asked any question, such as how quantum mechanics works, but you can’t ask them to open your garage door or send a text message. Sooner or later, this integration will happen, but it’s not there yet.
Craig believes that the development of AI technologies will take years, if not a decade. Apple plans to approach this field with maximum responsibility and won’t rush to implement ‘half-baked’ features.”
Apple employees anonymously reported to Bloomberg about the company’s current state of AI development.
Internal research at Apple shows that ChatGPT provides responses that are 25% more accurate than Siri and can answer at least 30% more questions. Some Apple employees also believe that the company’s generative AI is at least two years behind the industry.
Integration with ChatGPT is expected to narrow the gap with Siri, and it is anticipated to be included in iOS 18.2.
By 2026, Apple Intelligence will operate on all Apple devices with a screen. The iPhone SE 4, featuring the A18 chip, is set to launch in March 2025, with an updated base model iPad to follow later that year.
Apple has patented a projector that displays volumetric images. No helmet is needed to see them.
Apple has registered a new patent related to AR projectors.
The system developed by the company allows projecting AR/VR images onto various surfaces in augmented reality format. The key feature is that you don’t need a special headset, like a helmet, to see them. You will see everything as a regular projection, like in a movie.
“The high-resolution LED projector of the augmented reality system can be used to project 2D augmented reality or virtual reality (VR) content, viewed by a person in a room with the augmented reality system (for example, an augmented reality headset and/or glasses), onto a surface (such as a table or floor) in the room so that other people in the room can see what the person using the augmented reality system sees.” — excerpt from the company’s patent
Apple says that its technology could be incorporated into a form factor resembling a light bulb. It could even be integrated into a standard light bulb socket.
Visible light or infrared cameras can be used to enable the projector to determine the size, shape, and textures of the room.
For now, this is just a patent, and it’s unclear whether Apple will use it for its future products. It’s possible that the development could be integrated into future versions of Vision Pro or as a separate device for smart homes
iFixit specialists disassembled the Apple Watch Series 10.
They reported that the internal structure of Apple’s thinnest watch has slightly changed. However, to remove the display, it still needs to be heated.
The components are so well assembled that the gap between the glass and metal is only 0.176 mm, which helps improve the device’s water resistance. Moreover, the antennas in the Cellular models are now integrated into the body structure.
The 46 mm version has a battery with a capacity of 1.266 Wh, which is comparable to the previous generation. Unlike the iPhone, the internal battery of the Apple Watch is attached with simple adhesive, which can be easily removed.
Access to other components requires removing a large number of small connectors and tiny screws.
An interesting point: Apple claims to have a new OLED display in the Apple Watch. However, iFixit’s observations revealed that the screen structure is almost identical to previous models. The sensors of the Apple Watch are located under all other components, making them quite difficult to replace.
Although iFixit praised the work done to reduce the size of the case, the specialists still rated the new device 3 out of 10 on the repairability scale. This gadget is still difficult to repair.
Apple has patented a guest mode feature for the iPhone.
According to the description, the device owner will be able to restrict access to files and apps before handing the smartphone to other users. These users, in turn, will not be able to affect the owner’s data in any way.
The patent states that access can be granted to another user after they are authorized in some way. This is an additional security measure to ensure that not just anyone can use the guest mode.
The iPhone owner will always be able to change guest access settings from another of their devices.
Of course, this is just a patent, and there’s no guarantee that Apple will implement it. But it looks quite promising.
The website of the major retail chain Best Buy has featured a mention of ‘MINI WIFI’ in the tablet category under the clearance section.
It is assumed that this refers to the 6th generation iPad mini. The future product page indicates that the price of the device will drop from $599 to $359. However, the iPad mini 6 costs $499, so this might just be an error in the placeholder information.
If this turns out to be the iPad mini 6, we can expect the announcement of the iPad mini 7 soon.
According to rumors, the new generation of ‘minis’ is expected to be presented by the end of 2024. It will feature a faster processor, updated front and rear cameras, a fix for the ‘jelly effect’ in portrait orientation, support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, and will also be available in new colors.
Over the past year and a half, some owners of the 24-inch iMac with the M1 chip have encountered a problem.
Horizontal lines are appearing on their screens. Complaints about this can be found on Apple’s support site, MacRumors forums, Reddit, iFixit Answers, and several other websites. However, it is unclear how widespread the issue is.
For many affected users, their iMacs are between 18 to 24 months old, and it is during this time that the lines begin to appear. Nevertheless, Apple has provided free repairs to some customers (though not to everyone).
One commonly mentioned symptom is that the top-right corner of the iMac becomes hot to the touch. However, it is unclear what the cause is.
