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Matter 1.4 adds enhanced interoperability features for smart home ecosystems like Apple’s HomeKit, including multi-platform device support and expanded energy management.

The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), the organization responsible for Matter, has now finalized version 1.4 of the specification (via The Verge), introducing a range of new device types and enhanced functionalities that promise to improve interoperability between smart home ecosystems, including ‌HomeKit‌.

Matter 1.4 introduces support for home routers and access points (HRAPs) that are certified to operate as both Wi-Fi access points and Thread border routers. This means that any Matter-certified HRAP device will be able to enhance network stability and simplify smart home connectivity. Thread border routers allow Matter-enabled devices to connect across a home, regardless of which company manufactures them, while Matter-certified routers can securely store and share Thread network credentials.

The update also introduces Enhanced Multi-Admin, which allows users to add Matter devices to multiple ecosystems automatically with a single authorization. For example, a smart light or thermostat could be added to both Apple Home and Google Home without the need for multiple setup processes. Enhanced Multi-Admin achieves this by enabling “Fabric Sync,” a system that allows each Matter ecosystem to securely communicate with other ecosystems a user has authorized.

Matter 1.4 also broadens its support for energy management devices. New categories include heat pumps, water heaters, battery walls, and solar energy devices, such as solar inverters and hybrid solar/battery systems. Matter 1.4’s expanded energy management options allow devices to adjust their energy consumption based on demand.

While it’s unclear exactly when Apple will introduce support for Matter 1.4’s features, the CSA’s bi-annual release schedule suggests that Apple and other Matter supporters will implement elements of the specification over the next few years.Tags: HomeKit, MatterThis article, “Matter 1.4 Brings Support for New Devices and Easier Integration to Smart Home Setups” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Matter 1.4 adds enhanced interoperability features for smart home ecosystems like Apple’s HomeKit, including multi-platform device support and expanded energy management.

The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), the organization responsible for Matter, has now finalized version 1.4 of the specification (via The Verge), introducing a range of new device types and enhanced functionalities that promise to improve interoperability between smart home ecosystems, including ‌HomeKit‌.

Matter 1.4 introduces support for home routers and access points (HRAPs) that are certified to operate as both Wi-Fi access points and Thread border routers. This means that any Matter-certified HRAP device will be able to enhance network stability and simplify smart home connectivity. Thread border routers allow Matter-enabled devices to connect across a home, regardless of which company manufactures them, while Matter-certified routers can securely store and share Thread network credentials.

The update also introduces Enhanced Multi-Admin, which allows users to add Matter devices to multiple ecosystems automatically with a single authorization. For example, a smart light or thermostat could be added to both Apple Home and Google Home without the need for multiple setup processes. Enhanced Multi-Admin achieves this by enabling “Fabric Sync,” a system that allows each Matter ecosystem to securely communicate with other ecosystems a user has authorized.

Matter 1.4 also broadens its support for energy management devices. New categories include heat pumps, water heaters, battery walls, and solar energy devices, such as solar inverters and hybrid solar/battery systems. Matter 1.4’s expanded energy management options allow devices to adjust their energy consumption based on demand.

While it’s unclear exactly when Apple will introduce support for Matter 1.4’s features, the CSA’s bi-annual release schedule suggests that Apple and other Matter supporters will implement elements of the specification over the next few years.

This article, “Matter 1.4 Brings Support for New Devices and Easier Integration to Smart Home Setups” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The new Mac mini will launch in stores and begin arriving to customers this Friday. Ahead of time, the first reviews of Apple’s latest redesigned computer have been shared by select media outlets and YouTube channels.

Image via The Verge
The Mac mini received its first redesign in over a decade this year, introducing a considerably smaller casing and two USB-C ports on the front of the enclosure. The Verge’s Chris Welch:Every time I glance over at the new Mac Mini on my desk, it feels like the Mini’s ideal form. The redesigned enclosure makes the most of Apple Silicon’s small footprint, and with Apple’s M4 chip and an ample selection of ports, the 2024 Mini should remain a zippy, reliable computer for years to come. It’s never been more mighty.

The M4 Pro version of the new ‌Mac mini‌ also supports Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, with a total of three type-C ports on the rear. WIRED’s Brenda Stoylar on the new design and ports:A lot of people compared the Mac Mini’s new look to an Apple TV box, but I think it looks more like a mini Mac Studio—especially with the new port arrangement. Apple finally added ports to the front (a gripe I had with the M2-powered version), which means I can spend less time annoyingly reaching over to the back to plug a cable in.

The M4 model comes with two USB-C ports that support USB 3.0 and a 3.5-mm headphone jack. The other side has three Thunderbolt 4 ports (the M4 Pro variant has three Thunderbolt 5 USB-C ports for the first time ever) along with an HDMI, an Ethernet connection, and a power port. It marks an official end to the USB-A port on a Mac Mini.

Reviewers also commented on the location of the power button, which is now placed on the bottom of the device rather than the rear. Stoylar added:Ports on the front are great. Moving the power button to the bottom? Not so much. It used to be on the back, but this new implementation isn’t intuitive. I have to pick the device up and press the button to power on my desktop. It’s just weird. You’ll probably leave this thing on all the time but, like the USB-C port on the underside of the Magic Mouse, it’s just an awkward design choice.

The Verge’s Chris Welch on the new ‌Mac mini‌’s relocated power button:

…Apple made the curious decision to move it to the bottom of the machine near the rear left corner. Do I wish the button were someplace else? Sure. Pressing it requires reaching over the Mini and lifting the unit up slightly. It’s silly but hasn’t negatively affected my experience in any material way. If you’ve got an Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, you’ll be reminded of its awkward location right during setup, when you’ve got to double-press the power button to make a secure link between the fingerprint sensor and Mac. The Mini is used in a wide mix of environments including home theater systems and live event production. I could see the button’s position becoming a hassle in some of those scenarios, but if you’re using it on a desk, it’s more of a strange quirk than an annoyance.

The new ‌Mac mini‌ is powered by Apple’s M4 and M4 Pro chips, which are up to 25% and 45% faster than their predecessors. As of the time of writing, higher-end ‌Mac mini‌ configurations with the M4 Pro chip (14-core CPU) receive a multi-core Geekbench score of 22,094 (average of 11 results), compared to an average of 14,480 for the previous Mac mini with the highest-end M2 Pro chip. Engadget’s Devindra Hardawar on the ‌Mac mini‌’s performance:

Outside of benchmarks, the Mac mini impressed me by running Lies of P in 1,440p with maxed out graphics settings at 60fps. It even managed to run the game in 4K with medium graphics settings, but the frame rate hovered around 30fps, which wasn’t very playable. That’s not a huge surprise though — what’s more important is that I know the GPU is powerful enough to run modern games at more reasonable resolutions. Resident Evil 4 and No Man’s Sky also held a steady 60 fps in 1,440p.

To test out the Mac mini’s AI capabilities, I used the Whisper Transcription app to transcribe an hour and nine-minute long episode of the Engadget Podcast. That took two minutes and nine seconds, using the small language model. In comparison, the M4-powered 14-inch MacBook Pro took three minutes and three seconds, while an M3 14-inch MacBook Pro took three minutes and thirty-seven seconds. These figures tell us Apple’s M4 hardware can help students quickly get notes from lecture recordings, or even transcribe classes in real-time without much effort.

The M4 series of chips also brings an updated GPU architecture with improved efficiency, hardware-accelerated ray-tracing, support for AV1 decode, up to 64GB of LPDDR5X memory, dynamic caching, and a much more powerful Neural Engine to the ‌Mac mini‌. The new ‌Mac mini‌’s thermal design was also highlighted by reviewers, with Welch adding:Apple’s revamped thermal system for the Mini keeps the M4 model running quietly. Even when I’m deep in a Lightroom photo editing session, I don’t hear the fan. I’m certain the M4 Pro’s extra GPU cores would make those RAW edits even faster, but the regular M4 is up to the task for most photo work. Elsewhere, the machine has rarely missed a step, no matter what I throw at it. I’m no videographer, so I can’t speak to whether serious editing work would expose the M4’s limits. If there’s one use case that warrants stepping up to the M4 Pro, it’s likely that.

TechCrunch’s Brian Heater concluded that the new ‌Mac mini‌ is well designed, but without a clear target customer:The new Mac Mini is a case of a (mostly) well designed machine without an entirely clear market segment. Its sweet spot is those who already have a monitor or monitors and are just looking to upgrade their system with the newest entry-level Mac. I would toss in those who want to pick out their own monitor, but don’t want to invest in the Studio and don’t particularly care about the freedom a laptop brings. Or maybe the platonic ideal is someone who wants a quick, easy, and (relatively) cheap desktop to supplement it — without the built-in limitations of an all-in-one iMac.

If any of the above rings true, by all means, go small. There’s little that’s inherently bad about the machine (the power button is more annoying than bad), but it’s not entirely clear where it stands in the Apple desktop lineup, with the Studio and iMac flanking it on either side.

I can’t tell you for sure how large that segment of the market is at present, but I suspect the system is most purchased in the enterprise. It’s easy to image companies buying these up in bulk. For consumers who are on the fence, consider whether a MacBook or iMac makes more sense for your setup and pocketbook.

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Related Roundup: Mac miniBuyer’s Guide: Mac Mini (Buy Now)Related Forum: Mac miniThis article, “Mac Mini With M4 and M4 Pro Reviews: Smaller Design and Pro Performance Make for Major Upgrade” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

The new Mac mini will launch in stores and begin arriving to customers this Friday. Ahead of time, the first reviews of Apple’s latest redesigned computer have been shared by select media outlets and YouTube channels.

The Mac mini received its first redesign in over a decade this year, introducing a considerably smaller casing and two USB-C ports on the front of the enclosure. The Verge‘s Chris Welch:Every time I glance over at the new Mac Mini on my desk, it feels like the Mini’s ideal form. The redesigned enclosure makes the most of Apple Silicon’s small footprint, and with Apple’s M4 chip and an ample selection of ports, the 2024 Mini should remain a zippy, reliable computer for years to come. It’s never been more mighty.

The M4 Pro version of the new ‌Mac mini‌ also supports Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, with a total of three type-C ports on the rear. WIRED‘s Brenda Stoylar on the new design and ports:A lot of people compared the Mac Mini’s new look to an Apple TV box, but I think it looks more like a mini Mac Studio—especially with the new port arrangement. Apple finally added ports to the front (a gripe I had with the M2-powered version), which means I can spend less time annoyingly reaching over to the back to plug a cable in.

The M4 model comes with two USB-C ports that support USB 3.0 and a 3.5-mm headphone jack. The other side has three Thunderbolt 4 ports (the M4 Pro variant has three Thunderbolt 5 USB-C ports for the first time ever) along with an HDMI, an Ethernet connection, and a power port. It marks an official end to the USB-A port on a Mac Mini.

Reviewers also commented on the location of the power button, which is now placed on the bottom of the device rather than the rear. Stoylar added:Ports on the front are great. Moving the power button to the bottom? Not so much. It used to be on the back, but this new implementation isn’t intuitive. I have to pick the device up and press the button to power on my desktop. It’s just weird. You’ll probably leave this thing on all the time but, like the USB-C port on the underside of the Magic Mouse, it’s just an awkward design choice.

The Verge‘s Chris Welch on the new ‌Mac mini‌’s relocated power button:

…Apple made the curious decision to move it to the bottom of the machine near the rear left corner. Do I wish the button were someplace else? Sure. Pressing it requires reaching over the Mini and lifting the unit up slightly. It’s silly but hasn’t negatively affected my experience in any material way. If you’ve got an Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, you’ll be reminded of its awkward location right during setup, when you’ve got to double-press the power button to make a secure link between the fingerprint sensor and Mac. The Mini is used in a wide mix of environments including home theater systems and live event production. I could see the button’s position becoming a hassle in some of those scenarios, but if you’re using it on a desk, it’s more of a strange quirk than an annoyance.

The new ‌Mac mini‌ is powered by Apple’s M4 and M4 Pro chips, which are up to 25% and 45% faster than their predecessors. As of the time of writing, higher-end ‌Mac mini‌ configurations with the M4 Pro chip (14-core CPU) receive a multi-core Geekbench score of 22,094 (average of 11 results), compared to an average of 14,480 for the previous Mac mini with the highest-end M2 Pro chip. Engadget‘s Devindra Hardawar on the ‌Mac mini‌’s performance:

Outside of benchmarks, the Mac mini impressed me by running Lies of P in 1,440p with maxed out graphics settings at 60fps. It even managed to run the game in 4K with medium graphics settings, but the frame rate hovered around 30fps, which wasn’t very playable. That’s not a huge surprise though — what’s more important is that I know the GPU is powerful enough to run modern games at more reasonable resolutions. Resident Evil 4 and No Man’s Sky also held a steady 60 fps in 1,440p.

To test out the Mac mini’s AI capabilities, I used the Whisper Transcription app to transcribe an hour and nine-minute long episode of the Engadget Podcast. That took two minutes and nine seconds, using the small language model. In comparison, the M4-powered 14-inch MacBook Pro took three minutes and three seconds, while an M3 14-inch MacBook Pro took three minutes and thirty-seven seconds. These figures tell us Apple’s M4 hardware can help students quickly get notes from lecture recordings, or even transcribe classes in real-time without much effort.

The M4 series of chips also brings an updated GPU architecture with improved efficiency, hardware-accelerated ray-tracing, support for AV1 decode, up to 64GB of LPDDR5X memory, dynamic caching, and a much more powerful Neural Engine to the ‌Mac mini‌. The new ‌Mac mini‌’s thermal design was also highlighted by reviewers, with Welch adding:Apple’s revamped thermal system for the Mini keeps the M4 model running quietly. Even when I’m deep in a Lightroom photo editing session, I don’t hear the fan. I’m certain the M4 Pro’s extra GPU cores would make those RAW edits even faster, but the regular M4 is up to the task for most photo work. Elsewhere, the machine has rarely missed a step, no matter what I throw at it. I’m no videographer, so I can’t speak to whether serious editing work would expose the M4’s limits. If there’s one use case that warrants stepping up to the M4 Pro, it’s likely that.

TechCrunch‘s Brian Heater concluded that the new ‌Mac mini‌ is well designed, but without a clear target customer:The new Mac Mini is a case of a (mostly) well designed machine without an entirely clear market segment. Its sweet spot is those who already have a monitor or monitors and are just looking to upgrade their system with the newest entry-level Mac. I would toss in those who want to pick out their own monitor, but don’t want to invest in the Studio and don’t particularly care about the freedom a laptop brings. Or maybe the platonic ideal is someone who wants a quick, easy, and (relatively) cheap desktop to supplement it — without the built-in limitations of an all-in-one iMac.

If any of the above rings true, by all means, go small. There’s little that’s inherently bad about the machine (the power button is more annoying than bad), but it’s not entirely clear where it stands in the Apple desktop lineup, with the Studio and iMac flanking it on either side.

I can’t tell you for sure how large that segment of the market is at present, but I suspect the system is most purchased in the enterprise. It’s easy to image companies buying these up in bulk. For consumers who are on the fence, consider whether a MacBook or iMac makes more sense for your setup and pocketbook.

Videos

This article, “Mac Mini With M4 and M4 Pro Reviews: Smaller Design and Pro Performance Make for Major Upgrade” first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

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The first wave of reviews of Apple’s new M4-powered MacBook Pro models were published this morning. We’ve collected some of the latest impressions from YouTube channels and select media outlets below.

Apple last month announced the new 14-inch and 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ models, adding next-generation M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips, with Thunderbolt 5 ports on higher-end models, display and camera changes, a nano-texture display option, and a few other updates.

Nano-texture Display
The Verge’s Antonio G. Di Benedetto:
As for doing my edits on the nano-texture display, I know glossy screens have a slightly deeper contrast, but I love not worrying about glare. I’m not exclusively editing in a dark room with a hooded reference monitor, and I like the flexibility of working in places with less-than-ideal lighting conditions. The convenience of the nano-texture far outweighs any slight technical advantage of a glossy display. And at $150, it’s a worthwhile upgrade for visual pros. TechCrunch’s Brian Heater:
Simply put: If you’re buying a new Pro and plan to go outside ever, spend the additional $150. I presently have two Studio Displays on my desktop. One is nano-textured, the other isn’t. It makes a huge difference, even indoors. In fact, at one point I rearranged the two screens in a way that minimizes the glare from the one window in the room.

Glossy displays on Macs are one of those things we complained about years ago, but at a certain point, many of us were worn down by Apple’s refusal to offer an alternative over the years. I had given up on the idea years ago. Now that it’s available, I plan to get it for any MacBook I get, going forward.M4 Performance
The Verge’s Antonio G. Di Benedetto:
You won’t see the same performance in grueling workloads as you would if you spent a bit more to get an M4 Pro or a lot more for an M4 Max, but the standard M4 has some marked improvements over the M3. The M4 fared about 64 percent better than the M3 in Cinebench’s standard multicore test, and it maintained around a 41 percent delta when running a longer, sustained 30-minute loop of the same benchmark. It’s got two more cores than the M3 we tested, so it makes sense for the M4 to excel here, but its single-core scores in both Cinebench and Geekbench were also over 20 percent better. The machine was up to 25 percent faster in GPU benchmarks with the same number of GPU cores, too. ZDNet’s Kerry Wan:Unsurprisingly, the M4 MacBook Pro outperforms its predecessors, as well as some of the latest Windows machines running on Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) chipsets. It’s quite spectacular to see the $1,599 M4 MacBook Pro outpacing a 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M1 Pro chip that I paid almost $3,000 for.
TechRadar’s Lance Ulanoff:
Apple is now backing all of its new Macs with at least 16GB of RAM. This pays dividends in AI (Apple Intelligence is on board) and graphically intense operations like ray tracing, which helps make games like Lies of P look incredible on the MacBook Pro 14.

In benchmark testing, I found the numbers in line with the M4 performance I saw from the iPad Pro 13 inch. Geekbench 6.3 numbers measurably exceed those of the M3 in my MacBook Air.

When I played Shadow of the Tomb Radar, Steam’s internal frames per second counter showed I got anywhere between 42fps and 62fps. To my eyes, there was no tearing or dropped frames.According to multi-core CPU performance Geekbench results for the M4 Pro and for the M4 Max, the highest-end variants of the M4 Pro and M4 Max are both able to outperform the highest-end M2 Ultra chip in the Mac Studio and Mac Pro, which is impressive. Specifically, the M4 Max is up to 25% faster than the ‌M2‌ Ultra in terms of peak multi-core CPU performance.

For customers choosing between the M4 Pro and M4 Max, the M4 Max appears to be up to 20% faster than the M4 Pro in terms of peak multi-core CPU performance. The M4 Max is now the fastest Apple silicon chip in the Geekbench 6 database.

Unboxing Videos

Other Reviews and Hands-On Impressions

T3
CNET
Gizmodo
The Independent
MobileSyrup
PCMag
Stuff
Pocket-lint
9to5Toys
Macworld
The new ‌‌MacBook Pro‌ Models‌ can be ordered now on Apple.com and will be available in Apple Stores starting Friday.Related Roundup: MacBook ProBuyer’s Guide: 14″ & 16″ MacBook Pro (Buy Now)Related Forum: MacBook ProThis article, “M4 MacBook Pro Reviews: Processor Benchmarks Impress, New Nano-Texture Option Worth the Extra $150” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

The first wave of reviews of Apple’s new M4-powered MacBook Pro models were published this morning. We’ve collected some of the latest impressions from YouTube channels and select media outlets below.

Apple last month announced the new 14-inch and 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ models, adding next-generation M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips, with Thunderbolt 5 ports on higher-end models, display and camera changes, a nano-texture display option, and a few other updates.

Nano-texture Display

The Verge‘s Antonio G. Di Benedetto:

As for doing my edits on the nano-texture display, I know glossy screens have a slightly deeper contrast, but I love not worrying about glare. I’m not exclusively editing in a dark room with a hooded reference monitor, and I like the flexibility of working in places with less-than-ideal lighting conditions. The convenience of the nano-texture far outweighs any slight technical advantage of a glossy display. And at $150, it’s a worthwhile upgrade for visual pros. TechCrunch‘s Brian Heater:

Simply put: If you’re buying a new Pro and plan to go outside ever, spend the additional $150. I presently have two Studio Displays on my desktop. One is nano-textured, the other isn’t. It makes a huge difference, even indoors. In fact, at one point I rearranged the two screens in a way that minimizes the glare from the one window in the room.

Glossy displays on Macs are one of those things we complained about years ago, but at a certain point, many of us were worn down by Apple’s refusal to offer an alternative over the years. I had given up on the idea years ago. Now that it’s available, I plan to get it for any MacBook I get, going forward.

M4 Performance

The Verge‘s Antonio G. Di Benedetto:

You won’t see the same performance in grueling workloads as you would if you spent a bit more to get an M4 Pro or a lot more for an M4 Max, but the standard M4 has some marked improvements over the M3. The M4 fared about 64 percent better than the M3 in Cinebench’s standard multicore test, and it maintained around a 41 percent delta when running a longer, sustained 30-minute loop of the same benchmark. It’s got two more cores than the M3 we tested, so it makes sense for the M4 to excel here, but its single-core scores in both Cinebench and Geekbench were also over 20 percent better. The machine was up to 25 percent faster in GPU benchmarks with the same number of GPU cores, too. ZDNet‘s Kerry Wan:Unsurprisingly, the M4 MacBook Pro outperforms its predecessors, as well as some of the latest Windows machines running on Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) chipsets. It’s quite spectacular to see the $1,599 M4 MacBook Pro outpacing a 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M1 Pro chip that I paid almost $3,000 for.

TechRadar‘s Lance Ulanoff:

Apple is now backing all of its new Macs with at least 16GB of RAM. This pays dividends in AI (Apple Intelligence is on board) and graphically intense operations like ray tracing, which helps make games like Lies of P look incredible on the MacBook Pro 14.

In benchmark testing, I found the numbers in line with the M4 performance I saw from the iPad Pro 13 inch. Geekbench 6.3 numbers measurably exceed those of the M3 in my MacBook Air.

When I played Shadow of the Tomb Radar, Steam’s internal frames per second counter showed I got anywhere between 42fps and 62fps. To my eyes, there was no tearing or dropped frames.According to multi-core CPU performance Geekbench results for the M4 Pro and for the M4 Max, the highest-end variants of the M4 Pro and M4 Max are both able to outperform the highest-end M2 Ultra chip in the Mac Studio and Mac Pro, which is impressive. Specifically, the M4 Max is up to 25% faster than the ‌M2‌ Ultra in terms of peak multi-core CPU performance.

For customers choosing between the M4 Pro and M4 Max, the M4 Max appears to be up to 20% faster than the M4 Pro in terms of peak multi-core CPU performance. The M4 Max is now the fastest Apple silicon chip in the Geekbench 6 database.

Unboxing Videos

Other Reviews and Hands-On Impressions

T3

CNET

Gizmodo

The Independent

MobileSyrup

PCMag

Stuff

Pocket-lint

9to5Toys

Macworld

The new ‌‌MacBook Pro‌ Models‌ can be ordered now on Apple.com and will be available in Apple Stores starting Friday.

This article, “M4 MacBook Pro Reviews: Processor Benchmarks Impress, New Nano-Texture Option Worth the Extra $150” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The new iMac will launch in stores and begin arriving to customers this Friday. Ahead of time, the first reviews of Apple’s latest all-in-one desktop computer have been shared by select media outlets and YouTube channels.

While the iMac did not receive any major design changes this year, the computer can be configured with a matte nano-texture display for the first time in the Apple silicon era. This $200 upgrade option reduces reflectivity and glare on the screen, which can be helpful if you use your iMac near a window or under bright lights.

Six Colors’ Jason Snell on the nano-texture display:

Using a nano-texture-covered display is a little weird—the reflections just stop at the screen edge, as if by magic. It works incredibly well. And most of the time, in more normal lighting conditions, I didn’t really notice the nano-texture being there. (Yes, if you look closely you will notice a light scatter that can reduce contrast a bit.)

CNET’s Matt Elliott:

Our M4 iMac test model featured the $200 nano-texture glass display upgrade. It was very effective in combating glare and reflections as I moved the iMac around my house to see how it stood up to direct sunlight or a bright overhead artificial light. In every instance, it did its job of keeping distractions away. As impressive as the nano-texture glass is, you probably don’t need it if you plan to place your iMac in a room with normal lighting conditions. It’s a feature that’s more valuable on a MacBook or iPad that you will use in a variety of spots, including outdoors.

The new iMac is powered by Apple’s latest M4 chip. Based on the results that were available in the Geekbench 6 database as of writing, higher-end iMac configurations with the 10-core M4 chip achieved an average score of 14,512 for multi-core CPU performance, compared to an average of 11,711 for the previous iMac with the highest-end 8-core M3 chip. That means the new iMac is up to nearly 25% faster than the previous model.

Apple has upgraded the iMac with a 12-megapixel front camera that supports Center Stage, a feature that keeps you centered in the camera’s view as you move around. The new iMac and MacBook Pro models are the first Macs that support Center Stage without needing to be connected to a Studio Display. There is also a Desk View feature that shows your face and an overhead view of your desk at the same time.

Forbes’ David Phelan on the Center Stage camera:

There are no other visible differences between the new iMac and last year’s model, although the front facing camera is a different component, now called the Center Stage camera.

This comes with a feature called Desk View which means you can show your physical desktop as well as what’s on screen to people at the other end of the call. This works very well. The camera is excellent and where some people had previously complained that video call quality was subpar, here it seems pristine, clear and highly watchable.

Macworld’s Roman Loyola:The M1 and M3 iMacs have a 1080p FaceTime camera that was…fine. It worked, but it wasn’t impressive. With the M4 iMac, Apple finally upgraded to a 12MP Center Stage camera, the same one Apple introduced to the Mac lineup in 2022 through its Studio Display. Why we had to wait over two years to see it on an iMac only Apple knows, but it’s here and it’s fantastic.Jason Snell of Six Colors shared a side-by-side comparison of the Studio Display camera (left) and new iMac camera (right):

Many other new features and changes are straightforward: the iMac now officially supports dual external displays for the first time since it still used Intel processors, all configurations now have a minimum of 16GB of RAM, all four rear USB-C ports on higher-end configurations now support Thunderbolt 4, and there are refreshed color options. In addition, the Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard accessories included in the box with the iMac are now equipped with USB-C charging ports, instead of Lightning ports.

Unboxing Videos

Related Roundup: iMacBuyer’s Guide: iMac (Buy Now)Related Forum: iMacThis article, “iMac With M4 Chip Reviews: Nano-Texture Display Option and Center Stage Camera Tested” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

The new iMac will launch in stores and begin arriving to customers this Friday. Ahead of time, the first reviews of Apple’s latest all-in-one desktop computer have been shared by select media outlets and YouTube channels.

While the iMac did not receive any major design changes this year, the computer can be configured with a matte nano-texture display for the first time in the Apple silicon era. This $200 upgrade option reduces reflectivity and glare on the screen, which can be helpful if you use your iMac near a window or under bright lights.

Six Colors‘ Jason Snell on the nano-texture display:

Using a nano-texture-covered display is a little weird—the reflections just stop at the screen edge, as if by magic. It works incredibly well. And most of the time, in more normal lighting conditions, I didn’t really notice the nano-texture being there. (Yes, if you look closely you will notice a light scatter that can reduce contrast a bit.)

CNET‘s Matt Elliott:

Our M4 iMac test model featured the $200 nano-texture glass display upgrade. It was very effective in combating glare and reflections as I moved the iMac around my house to see how it stood up to direct sunlight or a bright overhead artificial light. In every instance, it did its job of keeping distractions away. As impressive as the nano-texture glass is, you probably don’t need it if you plan to place your iMac in a room with normal lighting conditions. It’s a feature that’s more valuable on a MacBook or iPad that you will use in a variety of spots, including outdoors.

The new iMac is powered by Apple’s latest M4 chip. Based on the results that were available in the Geekbench 6 database as of writing, higher-end iMac configurations with the 10-core M4 chip achieved an average score of 14,512 for multi-core CPU performance, compared to an average of 11,711 for the previous iMac with the highest-end 8-core M3 chip. That means the new iMac is up to nearly 25% faster than the previous model.

Apple has upgraded the iMac with a 12-megapixel front camera that supports Center Stage, a feature that keeps you centered in the camera’s view as you move around. The new iMac and MacBook Pro models are the first Macs that support Center Stage without needing to be connected to a Studio Display. There is also a Desk View feature that shows your face and an overhead view of your desk at the same time.

Forbes‘ David Phelan on the Center Stage camera:

There are no other visible differences between the new iMac and last year’s model, although the front facing camera is a different component, now called the Center Stage camera.

This comes with a feature called Desk View which means you can show your physical desktop as well as what’s on screen to people at the other end of the call. This works very well. The camera is excellent and where some people had previously complained that video call quality was subpar, here it seems pristine, clear and highly watchable.

Macworld‘s Roman Loyola:The M1 and M3 iMacs have a 1080p FaceTime camera that was…fine. It worked, but it wasn’t impressive. With the M4 iMac, Apple finally upgraded to a 12MP Center Stage camera, the same one Apple introduced to the Mac lineup in 2022 through its Studio Display. Why we had to wait over two years to see it on an iMac only Apple knows, but it’s here and it’s fantastic.Jason Snell of Six Colors shared a side-by-side comparison of the Studio Display camera (left) and new iMac camera (right):

Many other new features and changes are straightforward: the iMac now officially supports dual external displays for the first time since it still used Intel processors, all configurations now have a minimum of 16GB of RAM, all four rear USB-C ports on higher-end configurations now support Thunderbolt 4, and there are refreshed color options. In addition, the Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard accessories included in the box with the iMac are now equipped with USB-C charging ports, instead of Lightning ports.

Unboxing Videos

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Apple today adjusted its trade-in values for select devices in the United States, with reductions on iPad models and increased values for Apple Watch models.

Most reductions were slight: iPad trade-in values decreased by up to $20, whereas Apple Watch models saw upward adjustments. The latest trade-in values are listed below.

iPad

iPad: Up to $185 (vs. $195)
iPad mini: Up to $210 (vs. $230)

Apple Watch

Apple Watch Ultra 2: Up to $375 (vs. $365)
Apple Watch Series 9: Up to $180 (vs. $170)
Apple Watch Ultra: Up to $295 (vs. $290)
Apple Watch Series 8: Up to $140 (vs. $135)
The full list of trade-in values, including those for Macs, iPhones, and Android smartphones, can be found on Apple’s trade-in website.Tag: Apple Trade-InThis article, “Apple Adjusts Trade-In Values for Select iPad and Apple Watch Models” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Apple today adjusted its trade-in values for select devices in the United States, with reductions on iPad models and increased values for Apple Watch models.

Most reductions were slight: iPad trade-in values decreased by up to $20, whereas Apple Watch models saw upward adjustments. The latest trade-in values are listed below.

iPad

iPad: Up to $185 (vs. $195)

iPad mini: Up to $210 (vs. $230)

Apple Watch

Apple Watch Ultra 2: Up to $375 (vs. $365)

Apple Watch Series 9: Up to $180 (vs. $170)

Apple Watch Ultra: Up to $295 (vs. $290)

Apple Watch Series 8: Up to $140 (vs. $135)

The full list of trade-in values, including those for Macs, iPhones, and Android smartphones, can be found on Apple’s trade-in website.

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If you’re looking for a great way to capture a shot of an action scene or an unexpected event on your iPhone, try Burst mode in Apple’s stock Camera app. In Burst mode, the camera on your iPhone captures a series of photos in rapid succession, at a rate of ten frames per second.

When photographing anything dynamic like sports events, wildlife, or children at play, burst mode increases the likelihood of obtaining sharp, well-timed images. By taking multiple shots in quick succession, you can select the best frame where the subject’s motion is perfectly frozen. Here’s how to shoot Burst mode photos on iPhone.

Shooting in Burst Mode

In the Camera app, press and drag the shutter button to the left beneath the viewfinder.
Keep your finger pressed down to continue taking photos in rapid succession.
Take your finger off the shutter when you want to end the burst of shots.

When shooting in Burst mode, notice how the counter increases in the shutter’s original position for as long as you hold it down. This indicates how many shots are being captured in the current burst.

Apple also includes an option in iOS settings that when enabled lets you press and hold the Volume Up button to take Burst shots. Go to Settings ➝ Camera, then turn on Use Volume Up for Burst.

Choosing the Best Shot
After shooting in Burst mode, tap the image thumbnail in the Camera app, or open the Photos app and select the Burst you just captured.
Tap Burst in the top-left corner, then tap the best shot or shots you want to keep as an individual photo. (You can swipe across the photos or scroll the row of thumbnails below to view them.) Gray dots below the thumbnails mark the suggested photos to keep.
Tap Done, then choose Keep Everything or Keep only X Favorite (X being the number of shots you selected).

When you take a series of burst photos, they automatically appear in the Photos app under the Album name “Bursts.” You’ll also find them in the Recent Days section. This article, “How to Take a Quick Burst of Photos on iPhone” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

If you’re looking for a great way to capture a shot of an action scene or an unexpected event on your iPhone, try Burst mode in Apple’s stock Camera app. In Burst mode, the camera on your iPhone captures a series of photos in rapid succession, at a rate of ten frames per second.

When photographing anything dynamic like sports events, wildlife, or children at play, burst mode increases the likelihood of obtaining sharp, well-timed images. By taking multiple shots in quick succession, you can select the best frame where the subject’s motion is perfectly frozen. Here’s how to shoot Burst mode photos on iPhone.

Shooting in Burst Mode

In the Camera app, press and drag the shutter button to the left beneath the viewfinder.

Keep your finger pressed down to continue taking photos in rapid succession.

Take your finger off the shutter when you want to end the burst of shots.

When shooting in Burst mode, notice how the counter increases in the shutter’s original position for as long as you hold it down. This indicates how many shots are being captured in the current burst.

Apple also includes an option in iOS settings that when enabled lets you press and hold the Volume Up button to take Burst shots. Go to Settings ➝ Camera, then turn on Use Volume Up for Burst.

Choosing the Best Shot

After shooting in Burst mode, tap the image thumbnail in the Camera app, or open the Photos app and select the Burst you just captured.

Tap Burst in the top-left corner, then tap the best shot or shots you want to keep as an individual photo. (You can swipe across the photos or scroll the row of thumbnails below to view them.) Gray dots below the thumbnails mark the suggested photos to keep.

Tap Done, then choose Keep Everything or Keep only X Favorite (X being the number of shots you selected).

When you take a series of burst photos, they automatically appear in the Photos app under the Album name “Bursts.” You’ll also find them in the Recent Days section.
This article, “How to Take a Quick Burst of Photos on iPhone” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Samsung is developing a slim version of its upcoming flagship Galaxy S25 smartphone that could launch in Q2 2025, potentially setting up a direct competition with Apple’s rumored iPhone 17 ‘Air’, according to reports from South Korean media and data discovered in GSMA’s global mobile registry database.

Korea’s ET News on October 31 claimed that Samsung could release a slim smartphone during the second quarter of 2025, or between April and June. The timing would position it just a few months ahead of the launch of Apple’s so-called iPhone 17 ‘Air’, expected in September 2025.

Since the Korean report, Smartprix has discovered a smartphone listing in the GSMA IMEI database under the market name “Galaxy” with the model number SM-S937U. According to the outlet, Samsung often registers smartphones it is testing internally in this database about six to seven months before their official launch. The model number is said to match the pattern seen in Samsung’s standard Galaxy, Plus, and Ultra series devices, but it will likely be launched separately from its main Galaxy S25 series to avoid cannibalization of sales.

It won’t be the first time Samsung has experimented with thin designs – back in 2014, the company released the Galaxy Alpha, which featured a 6.7mm profile compared to the regular Galaxy S5’s 8.1mm thickness. Industry sources claim that Samsung views its latest attempt as a strategic move to reinvigorate the smartphone market amid plateauing demand. The company reportedly plans to gauge market response to the slim model before potentially restructuring its entire Galaxy S26 lineup in 2026.

There have been conflicting rumors about the design and specifications for Apple’s rumored slim device, but most sources have agreed that it will have around a 6.6-inch display. In July, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he expects the device to have a standard A19 chip, a Dynamic Island, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G modem. The official name of the model is not yet known.
iPhone 17 Air: Everything We Know About Apple’s Slim iPhone
The timing of both releases suggests 2025 could mark the beginning of a new focus on device thinness from the two major smartphone rivals, after years of emphasis on improved camera capabilities and processing power.Related Roundup: iPhone 17Tag: SamsungThis article, “Samsung Planning Ultra-Thin Galaxy S25 Model to Rival iPhone 17 Air” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Samsung is developing a slim version of its upcoming flagship Galaxy S25 smartphone that could launch in Q2 2025, potentially setting up a direct competition with Apple’s rumored iPhone 17 ‘Air’, according to reports from South Korean media and data discovered in GSMA’s global mobile registry database.

Korea’s ET News on October 31 claimed that Samsung could release a slim smartphone during the second quarter of 2025, or between April and June. The timing would position it just a few months ahead of the launch of Apple’s so-called iPhone 17 ‘Air’, expected in September 2025.

Since the Korean report, Smartprix has discovered a smartphone listing in the GSMA IMEI database under the market name “Galaxy” with the model number SM-S937U. According to the outlet, Samsung often registers smartphones it is testing internally in this database about six to seven months before their official launch. The model number is said to match the pattern seen in Samsung’s standard Galaxy, Plus, and Ultra series devices, but it will likely be launched separately from its main Galaxy S25 series to avoid cannibalization of sales.

It won’t be the first time Samsung has experimented with thin designs – back in 2014, the company released the Galaxy Alpha, which featured a 6.7mm profile compared to the regular Galaxy S5’s 8.1mm thickness. Industry sources claim that Samsung views its latest attempt as a strategic move to reinvigorate the smartphone market amid plateauing demand. The company reportedly plans to gauge market response to the slim model before potentially restructuring its entire Galaxy S26 lineup in 2026.

There have been conflicting rumors about the design and specifications for Apple’s rumored slim device, but most sources have agreed that it will have around a 6.6-inch display. In July, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he expects the device to have a standard A19 chip, a Dynamic Island, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G modem. The official name of the model is not yet known.

iPhone 17 Air: Everything We Know About Apple’s Slim iPhone

The timing of both releases suggests 2025 could mark the beginning of a new focus on device thinness from the two major smartphone rivals, after years of emphasis on improved camera capabilities and processing power.

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Apple’s plans to release a MacBook Air with an OLED display may face significant delays beyond its original expected 2027 launch window, according to a new report from The Elec.

Industry sources cited by the Korean outlet point to pricing concerns and supply chain challenges as key factors behind the potential delay. The high manufacturing costs associated with OLED displays would substantially increase the MacBook Air’s retail price, which risks making it less attractive to consumers.

The MacBook Air is often regarded as the company’s most popular Mac model. According to Canalys, Apple’s US Mac market share grew by 22% in the first quarter of 2024, a surge that was likely influenced by the introduction of new M3 MacBook Air models.

However, the latest report highlights disappointing OLED iPad Pro sales performance this year as an indicator that switching from LCD to OLED alone is not appealing enough to consumers to justify the increased price. A shipment of around 10 million iPad Pro units was anticipated for 2024, but that figure was revised to 8.5 million earlier in the year and has recently dropped to between 6 and 7 million units. OLED iPad Pro models retail from $999 for the 11-inch model, rising to $1299 for the 13-inch model.

Apple is now said to be seeking lower OLED panel prices for the MacBook Air, but the company has few options in the current supply chain environment. Samsung Display and LG Display provide OLED panels for the iPad Pro, but only Samsung Display is expected to supply panels for an upcoming OLED MacBook Pro, rumored for a 2026 launch. Previous reports have suggested that Samsung Display is developing a 13.3-inch OLED panel for a future ‌MacBook Air‌ model amid Apple’s long-term plan to switch all of its product lines to the display technology.

The report goes on to suggest that the OLED MacBook Air will likely use a simpler single-stack OLED configuration, unlike the planned MacBook Pro OLED displays, which will feature a dual-stack design with two emission layers. However, both models will employ hybrid OLED technology combining glass substrates with thin-film encapsulation.

Industry sources suggest Apple and its display partners need to reach a “compromise” that minimizes price increases while maintaining performance standards that differentiate the Air and Pro lineups. Compared to current ‌MacBook Air models with LCD-based screens, benefits of OLED technology would include increased brightness, higher contrast ratio with deeper blacks, and improved power efficiency for longer battery life.Related Roundup: MacBook AirTags: OLED, The ElecBuyer’s Guide: 15″ MacBook Air (Neutral), 13″ MacBook Air (Neutral)Related Forum: MacBook AirThis article, “OLED MacBook Air Could Be Delayed Beyond 2027, Claims Report” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Apple’s plans to release a MacBook Air with an OLED display may face significant delays beyond its original expected 2027 launch window, according to a new report from The Elec.

Industry sources cited by the Korean outlet point to pricing concerns and supply chain challenges as key factors behind the potential delay. The high manufacturing costs associated with OLED displays would substantially increase the MacBook Air’s retail price, which risks making it less attractive to consumers.

The MacBook Air is often regarded as the company’s most popular Mac model. According to Canalys, Apple’s US Mac market share grew by 22% in the first quarter of 2024, a surge that was likely influenced by the introduction of new M3 MacBook Air models.

However, the latest report highlights disappointing OLED iPad Pro sales performance this year as an indicator that switching from LCD to OLED alone is not appealing enough to consumers to justify the increased price. A shipment of around 10 million iPad Pro units was anticipated for 2024, but that figure was revised to 8.5 million earlier in the year and has recently dropped to between 6 and 7 million units. OLED iPad Pro models retail from $999 for the 11-inch model, rising to $1299 for the 13-inch model.

Apple is now said to be seeking lower OLED panel prices for the MacBook Air, but the company has few options in the current supply chain environment. Samsung Display and LG Display provide OLED panels for the iPad Pro, but only Samsung Display is expected to supply panels for an upcoming OLED MacBook Pro, rumored for a 2026 launch. Previous reports have suggested that Samsung Display is developing a 13.3-inch OLED panel for a future ‌MacBook Air‌ model amid Apple’s long-term plan to switch all of its product lines to the display technology.

The report goes on to suggest that the OLED MacBook Air will likely use a simpler single-stack OLED configuration, unlike the planned MacBook Pro OLED displays, which will feature a dual-stack design with two emission layers. However, both models will employ hybrid OLED technology combining glass substrates with thin-film encapsulation.

Industry sources suggest Apple and its display partners need to reach a “compromise” that minimizes price increases while maintaining performance standards that differentiate the Air and Pro lineups. Compared to current ‌MacBook Air models with LCD-based screens, benefits of OLED technology would include increased brightness, higher contrast ratio with deeper blacks, and improved power efficiency for longer battery life.

This article, “OLED MacBook Air Could Be Delayed Beyond 2027, Claims Report” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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With the macOS Sequoia 15.2 beta, Apple has revamped AirPlay, adding new options for sharing a more limited amount of information on the screen when AirPlaying to an Apple TV.

There are now options to show your entire screen, a specific window or app, or your extended display. Limiting ‌AirPlay‌ to a specific app allows a presentation or photos to be shared on the larger screen of a TV without allowing viewers to see all of the content on a Mac.

In the current version of macOS, Apple allows for mirroring a Mac’s display to an ‌Apple TV‌, but there is no option for sharing just a portion of a display.

‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.2 is in beta right now, with Apple planning to release it to the public in early December. The update also adds Apple Intelligence features like Image Playground and ChatGPT Siri integration.

(Thanks, @1O1myth)Related Roundup: macOS SequoiaRelated Forum: macOS SequoiaThis article, “macOS Sequoia 15.2 Beta Adds New AirPlay Options” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

With the macOS Sequoia 15.2 beta, Apple has revamped AirPlay, adding new options for sharing a more limited amount of information on the screen when AirPlaying to an Apple TV.

There are now options to show your entire screen, a specific window or app, or your extended display. Limiting ‌AirPlay‌ to a specific app allows a presentation or photos to be shared on the larger screen of a TV without allowing viewers to see all of the content on a Mac.

In the current version of macOS, Apple allows for mirroring a Mac’s display to an ‌Apple TV‌, but there is no option for sharing just a portion of a display.

‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.2 is in beta right now, with Apple planning to release it to the public in early December. The update also adds Apple Intelligence features like Image Playground and ChatGPT Siri integration.

(Thanks, @1O1myth)

This article, “macOS Sequoia 15.2 Beta Adds New AirPlay Options” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 are now available to developers and public beta testers ahead of a planned December launch. The update introduces the next-generation Apple Intelligence features like Genmoji an Image Playground, but even if you don’t have an Apple Intelligence-capable device, there are other features that are worth knowing about.

This guide highlights all of the new features we’ve found in iOS 18.2 so far.

Apple Intelligence
There are a whole bunch of new ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features in iOS 18.2, including ‌Image Playground‌ and ‌Genmoji‌. It’s a much more fun update than iOS 18.1 thanks to the image generation features. You’ll want to check out our launch post for full details on what’s included, but here’s a quick overview.

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Image Playground – There’s an ‌Image Playground‌ app and Messages integration for creating stylized images based on prompts and images of you and your friends.
Image Wand – Image Wand is for adding images to what you’ve written in the Notes app. On iPad, you can use the Apple Pencil to make a rough sketch and have Image Wand turn it into something nicer.
Genmoji – With ‌Genmoji‌, you can create custom emoji. It’s similar to ‌Image Playground‌, but on a smaller emoji-sized scale. People that have iOS 18.1 installed will see ‌Genmoji‌ and can even get information about them, but they can only be created in iOS 18.2. In earlier versions of iOS, they show up as an image.
Siri ChatGPT – Siri can now hand over requests to ChatGPT, a feature that’s entirely opt-in. You don’t need an account, and anything you ask ‌Siri‌ can be sent to ChatGPT if you want. ChatGPT has more advanced info than ‌Siri‌ and can also generate images and text. If you want to make it simpler to turn requests over to ChatGPT, you can toggle off the Ask Every Time setting so ‌Siri‌ doesn’t always need your permission to contact ChatGPT. ‌Siri‌ with ChatGPT integration supports on-screen responses, so you can do things like ask “what’s in this photo?” when you’re looking at an image. In beta 2, Apple added an interface to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus for access to ChatGPT 4o without limits.
Visual Intelligence – On iPhone 16, Visual Intelligence can be used to identify objects and places around you. Long press the Camera Control button to get to Visual Intelligence, and then point your iPhone at something. You can get hours and reviews if the camera is looking at a restaurant, copy text, get text read aloud, search for items on Google, ask ChatGPT questions about objects, and more.
Writing Tools – The Rewrite Writing Tools feature is no longer limited to three styles. You can describe the tone or content that you want, such as adding more dynamic words or turning an email into a poem.
Languages – With iOS 18.2, ‌Apple Intelligence‌ supports English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK in addition to U.S. English, so if you’re in Canada, you no longer have to set your ‌iPhone‌ to U.S. English to use ‌Apple Intelligence‌.

Apple Arcade
In the Apple Arcade section of the App Store, the “All Games” section has a new drop down filter menu and the option to turn off game previews.

Mail App Categorization
In the Mail app, there are new built-in categories for separating out important emails, deals, newsletters, transaction emails, and more.

The Mail app includes bigger pictures for contacts and businesses, and all emails from a single person or source will be pooled together.

Voice Memos
With Voice Memos, two tracks can be layered on top of one another. There’s also an option to separate layers and edit layer mixes.

Find My
Find My has a new option to Share Item Location with an “airline or trusted person” that can help you locate something that you’ve misplaced. Choosing the Share Item Location option creates a link that lets someone view the location of a lost item when they open the link.

The link can be opened on a non-Apple device, so an ‌iPhone‌ or Mac is not required to provide someone with your item’s location. Links expire after a week or when you’re reunited with your lost item.

There’s also an option to Show Contact Info, which lets any phone or tablet connect to an item to view a website with more information about it, including the phone number and email address of the owner.

EU App Changes
In the European Union, users can now delete core apps that include the ‌App Store‌, Safari, Messages, Camera, and Photos.

Third-party browser apps in the EU will be able to create web apps for the ‌iPhone‌’s Home screen using their own custom engines when iOS 18.2 launches.

iPadOS 18.2 requires selecting a Default Browser when opening Safari. This is a Digital Markets Act requirement, with Apple adding an updated interface that will let users select a default web browser of their choice from a list of options.

Apple has already implemented this change in iOS 18.

Default Apps Section
In the Settings app under “Apps,” there’s a new “Default Apps” section that can be used to manage your default apps for the ‌iPhone‌.

There are Default App settings for Email, Messaging, Calling, Call Filtering, Browser App, Passwords and Codes, and Keyboards. In the U.S. and other countries, you can use this section to choose your preferred Email, Call Filtering, Browser, and Passwords, and Keyboard apps. In the EU, there are more options for choosing non-Apple calling and messaging apps.

Volume Limit
In the Sound and Haptics section of the Settings app, there’s a new Volume Limit option with a “Limit Maximum Volume” toggle to control how loudly the ‌iPhone‌ speaker can play audio like songs, movies, and other media.

It does not impact phone calls, FaceTime calls, alarms, and other sounds.

Control Center
In Control Center, there’s a new quick access option for Type to ‌Siri‌. Apple has also removed the Satellite control from the Connectivity section, and changed the icon for Adaptive Audio.

Camera Control
For ‌iPhone 16‌ users, there’s now an option lock your auto exposure and auto focus settings with a light press. The AE/AF Lock toggle can be turned on by going to Settings > Camera > Camera Control.

There is also an option to adjust the double click speed of Camera Control. Options include Default, Slow, and Slower. The adjustment options join prior options to tweak the double light press speed and the light press force.

Adjusting Camera Control can be done by opening Settings and going to Accessibility > Camera Button.

Settings App Icons
In Dark Mode, the icons in the Settings app have a new, darker look that shows color on a black background rather than icons that are a solid color with white accents.

iPhone Mirroring With Hotspot
iOS 18.2 allows you to use ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring while your ‌iPhone‌’s hotspot connection is being shared with your Mac. Having your Mac connected through Personal Hotspot previously did not allow you to use ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring.

Fitness Shortcut Actions
There are new Fitness app Shortcut actions that you can use when creating a Shortcut, including Open Fitness Settings, Open Award, Open Session History, and Open Trophy Case.

Lock Screen Volume Slider
In iOS 18.2, there’s a new option to force the volume control bar to always be visible on the Lock Screen when adjusting sound.

The feature can be enabled in the Accessibility section of the Settings app. Accessibility > Audio and Visual > Always Show Volume Control.

Safari
In the Safari section of the Settings app, there’s a new “Not Secure Connection Warning” toggle that lets you know if you’re visiting a website that does not have a valid SSL certificate for an encrypted connection. It is not advised to send passwords or other sensitive data on a site that pops up a “Not Secure” warning.

Apple’s “Not Secure Connection Warning” toggle is not turned on by default. There’s also new section for managing website data and history. There are new import and export options, and the section also includes the Clear History and Website Data tool.

Safari Downloads
The progress of Safari downloads can now be tracked on the ‌iPhone‌’s Lock Screen and Dynamic Island.

Apple Music
Apple Music now displays the disc number in some albums.

Podcasts
You can favorite categories in the Podcasts app in iOS 18.2, and see categories in the library for a new way to navigate through shows and episodes.

Apple News+
For Apple News+ subscribers in the United States, iOS 18.2 adds daily sudoku puzzles. The sudoku puzzles join existing the Crossword, Crossword Mini, and Quartiles offerings. There are three difficulty levels to complete each day, including easy, moderate, and challenging.

Vehicle Motion Cues
There’s an option see Vehicle Motion Cues in the ‌Dynamic Island‌ when the feature is activated. Vehicle Motion Cues are designed to cut down on motion sickness while riding in a vehicle.

Mac Connection
When connecting to a Mac or PC, you can use Face ID to trust a device.

iMessage Reporting
Children in Australia have access to a tool to report iMessages that contain nude photos and videos. Reported images will be reviewed by Apple, and actions could be taken such as disabling the sender’s Apple Account or reporting the incident to law enforcement.

The feature will expand globally in the future.

Web Restrictions in Utah
Utah residents under the age of 17 will be opted in to web content restrictions that block adult content in iOS 18.2. This is required by Utah law.

More Features
Know of something new in the iOS 18.2 beta that we left out? Let us know in the comments below.Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18This article, “Everything New in the iOS 18.2 Beta” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 are now available to developers and public beta testers ahead of a planned December launch. The update introduces the next-generation Apple Intelligence features like Genmoji an Image Playground, but even if you don’t have an Apple Intelligence-capable device, there are other features that are worth knowing about.

This guide highlights all of the new features we’ve found in iOS 18.2 so far.

Apple Intelligence

There are a whole bunch of new ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features in iOS 18.2, including ‌Image Playground‌ and ‌Genmoji‌. It’s a much more fun update than iOS 18.1 thanks to the image generation features. You’ll want to check out our launch post for full details on what’s included, but here’s a quick overview.

Image Playground – There’s an ‌Image Playground‌ app and Messages integration for creating stylized images based on prompts and images of you and your friends.

Image Wand – Image Wand is for adding images to what you’ve written in the Notes app. On iPad, you can use the Apple Pencil to make a rough sketch and have Image Wand turn it into something nicer.

Genmoji – With ‌Genmoji‌, you can create custom emoji. It’s similar to ‌Image Playground‌, but on a smaller emoji-sized scale. People that have iOS 18.1 installed will see ‌Genmoji‌ and can even get information about them, but they can only be created in iOS 18.2. In earlier versions of iOS, they show up as an image.

Siri ChatGPT – Siri can now hand over requests to ChatGPT, a feature that’s entirely opt-in. You don’t need an account, and anything you ask ‌Siri‌ can be sent to ChatGPT if you want. ChatGPT has more advanced info than ‌Siri‌ and can also generate images and text. If you want to make it simpler to turn requests over to ChatGPT, you can toggle off the Ask Every Time setting so ‌Siri‌ doesn’t always need your permission to contact ChatGPT. ‌Siri‌ with ChatGPT integration supports on-screen responses, so you can do things like ask “what’s in this photo?” when you’re looking at an image. In beta 2, Apple added an interface to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus for access to ChatGPT 4o without limits.

Visual Intelligence – On iPhone 16, Visual Intelligence can be used to identify objects and places around you. Long press the Camera Control button to get to Visual Intelligence, and then point your iPhone at something. You can get hours and reviews if the camera is looking at a restaurant, copy text, get text read aloud, search for items on Google, ask ChatGPT questions about objects, and more.

Writing Tools – The Rewrite Writing Tools feature is no longer limited to three styles. You can describe the tone or content that you want, such as adding more dynamic words or turning an email into a poem.

Languages – With iOS 18.2, ‌Apple Intelligence‌ supports English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK in addition to U.S. English, so if you’re in Canada, you no longer have to set your ‌iPhone‌ to U.S. English to use ‌Apple Intelligence‌.

Apple Arcade

In the Apple Arcade section of the App Store, the “All Games” section has a new drop down filter menu and the option to turn off game previews.

Mail App Categorization

In the Mail app, there are new built-in categories for separating out important emails, deals, newsletters, transaction emails, and more.

The Mail app includes bigger pictures for contacts and businesses, and all emails from a single person or source will be pooled together.

Voice Memos

With Voice Memos, two tracks can be layered on top of one another. There’s also an option to separate layers and edit layer mixes.

Find My

Find My has a new option to Share Item Location with an “airline or trusted person” that can help you locate something that you’ve misplaced. Choosing the Share Item Location option creates a link that lets someone view the location of a lost item when they open the link.

The link can be opened on a non-Apple device, so an ‌iPhone‌ or Mac is not required to provide someone with your item’s location. Links expire after a week or when you’re reunited with your lost item.

There’s also an option to Show Contact Info, which lets any phone or tablet connect to an item to view a website with more information about it, including the phone number and email address of the owner.

EU App Changes

In the European Union, users can now delete core apps that include the ‌App Store‌, Safari, Messages, Camera, and Photos.

Third-party browser apps in the EU will be able to create web apps for the ‌iPhone‌’s Home screen using their own custom engines when iOS 18.2 launches.

iPadOS 18.2 requires selecting a Default Browser when opening Safari. This is a Digital Markets Act requirement, with Apple adding an updated interface that will let users select a default web browser of their choice from a list of options.

Apple has already implemented this change in iOS 18.

Default Apps Section

In the Settings app under “Apps,” there’s a new “Default Apps” section that can be used to manage your default apps for the ‌iPhone‌.

There are Default App settings for Email, Messaging, Calling, Call Filtering, Browser App, Passwords and Codes, and Keyboards. In the U.S. and other countries, you can use this section to choose your preferred Email, Call Filtering, Browser, and Passwords, and Keyboard apps. In the EU, there are more options for choosing non-Apple calling and messaging apps.

Volume Limit

In the Sound and Haptics section of the Settings app, there’s a new Volume Limit option with a “Limit Maximum Volume” toggle to control how loudly the ‌iPhone‌ speaker can play audio like songs, movies, and other media.

It does not impact phone calls, FaceTime calls, alarms, and other sounds.

Control Center

In Control Center, there’s a new quick access option for Type to ‌Siri‌. Apple has also removed the Satellite control from the Connectivity section, and changed the icon for Adaptive Audio.

Camera Control

For ‌iPhone 16‌ users, there’s now an option lock your auto exposure and auto focus settings with a light press. The AE/AF Lock toggle can be turned on by going to Settings > Camera > Camera Control.

There is also an option to adjust the double click speed of Camera Control. Options include Default, Slow, and Slower. The adjustment options join prior options to tweak the double light press speed and the light press force.

Adjusting Camera Control can be done by opening Settings and going to Accessibility > Camera Button.

Settings App Icons

In Dark Mode, the icons in the Settings app have a new, darker look that shows color on a black background rather than icons that are a solid color with white accents.

iPhone Mirroring With Hotspot

iOS 18.2 allows you to use ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring while your ‌iPhone‌’s hotspot connection is being shared with your Mac. Having your Mac connected through Personal Hotspot previously did not allow you to use ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring.

Fitness Shortcut Actions

There are new Fitness app Shortcut actions that you can use when creating a Shortcut, including Open Fitness Settings, Open Award, Open Session History, and Open Trophy Case.

Lock Screen Volume Slider

In iOS 18.2, there’s a new option to force the volume control bar to always be visible on the Lock Screen when adjusting sound.

The feature can be enabled in the Accessibility section of the Settings app. Accessibility > Audio and Visual > Always Show Volume Control.

Safari

In the Safari section of the Settings app, there’s a new “Not Secure Connection Warning” toggle that lets you know if you’re visiting a website that does not have a valid SSL certificate for an encrypted connection. It is not advised to send passwords or other sensitive data on a site that pops up a “Not Secure” warning.

Apple’s “Not Secure Connection Warning” toggle is not turned on by default. There’s also new section for managing website data and history. There are new import and export options, and the section also includes the Clear History and Website Data tool.

Safari Downloads

The progress of Safari downloads can now be tracked on the ‌iPhone‌’s Lock Screen and Dynamic Island.

Apple Music

Apple Music now displays the disc number in some albums.

Podcasts

You can favorite categories in the Podcasts app in iOS 18.2, and see categories in the library for a new way to navigate through shows and episodes.

Apple News+

For Apple News+ subscribers in the United States, iOS 18.2 adds daily sudoku puzzles. The sudoku puzzles join existing the Crossword, Crossword Mini, and Quartiles offerings. There are three difficulty levels to complete each day, including easy, moderate, and challenging.

Vehicle Motion Cues

There’s an option see Vehicle Motion Cues in the ‌Dynamic Island‌ when the feature is activated. Vehicle Motion Cues are designed to cut down on motion sickness while riding in a vehicle.

Mac Connection

When connecting to a Mac or PC, you can use Face ID to trust a device.

iMessage Reporting

Children in Australia have access to a tool to report iMessages that contain nude photos and videos. Reported images will be reviewed by Apple, and actions could be taken such as disabling the sender’s Apple Account or reporting the incident to law enforcement.

The feature will expand globally in the future.

Web Restrictions in Utah

Utah residents under the age of 17 will be opted in to web content restrictions that block adult content in iOS 18.2. This is required by Utah law.

More Features

Know of something new in the iOS 18.2 beta that we left out? Let us know in the comments below.

This article, “Everything New in the iOS 18.2 Beta” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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