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What to Expect From Apple’s Powerbeats Pro 2 Next Year
A few months ago, Apple shared a short teaser video in which it revealed that it will be releasing new Powerbeats Pro 2 next year. The video showed MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani wearing the upcoming version of the earbuds, which appear to have some slight design changes compared to the original Powerbeats Pro from 2019.
MLB player Shohei Ohtani wearing the Powerbeats Pro 2
As a refresher, Powerbeats Pro are a sportier, fitness-focused alternative to AirPods Pro with built-in, adjustable ear hooks for a secure fit.
Below, we recap what to expect from the Powerbeats Pro 2 based on known info and leaks:
A more vertical, slimmer design compared to the original Powerbeats Pro
Heart rate monitoring during workouts
Active Noise Cancellation for the first time
Spatial Audio and Adaptive Audio support
Orange, purple, black, and beige color optionsBased on iOS 18 code findings, we previously reported that you will be able to connect the Powerbeats Pro 2 to gym equipment like a treadmill to measure heart rate, and the data would be visible in the Health app on the iPhone. This capability might be limited to workouts. Heart rate monitoring has also been rumored for the AirPods Pro in the past, so perhaps the feature will extend to the AirPods Pro 3 rumored to launch next year.
Based on other recent Beats headphones, other potential upgrades for the Powerbeats Pro 2 include improved sound quality, longer battery life, and improved cross-platform compatibility with Android features like Find My Device. Plus, the Powerbeats Pro 2 charging case will almost certainly have a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port.
Apple did not reveal a specific release date in 2025 for the Powerbeats Pro 2. It discontinued the original Powerbeats Pro last month.Tags: Beats, Powerbeats ProThis article, “What to Expect From Apple’s Powerbeats Pro 2 Next Year” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
A few months ago, Apple shared a short teaser video in which it revealed that it will be releasing new Powerbeats Pro 2 next year. The video showed MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani wearing the upcoming version of the earbuds, which appear to have some slight design changes compared to the original Powerbeats Pro from 2019.
As a refresher, Powerbeats Pro are a sportier, fitness-focused alternative to AirPods Pro with built-in, adjustable ear hooks for a secure fit.
Below, we recap what to expect from the Powerbeats Pro 2 based on known info and leaks:
A more vertical, slimmer design compared to the original Powerbeats Pro
Heart rate monitoring during workouts
Active Noise Cancellation for the first time
Spatial Audio and Adaptive Audio support
Orange, purple, black, and beige color optionsBased on iOS 18 code findings, we previously reported that you will be able to connect the Powerbeats Pro 2 to gym equipment like a treadmill to measure heart rate, and the data would be visible in the Health app on the iPhone. This capability might be limited to workouts. Heart rate monitoring has also been rumored for the AirPods Pro in the past, so perhaps the feature will extend to the AirPods Pro 3 rumored to launch next year.
Based on other recent Beats headphones, other potential upgrades for the Powerbeats Pro 2 include improved sound quality, longer battery life, and improved cross-platform compatibility with Android features like Find My Device. Plus, the Powerbeats Pro 2 charging case will almost certainly have a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port.
Apple did not reveal a specific release date in 2025 for the Powerbeats Pro 2. It discontinued the original Powerbeats Pro last month.
This article, “What to Expect From Apple’s Powerbeats Pro 2 Next Year” first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
Apple Seeds First Public Betas of iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2 With New Apple Intelligence Features
Apple today seeded the first public betas of upcoming iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 updates, allowing the public to try out the new features ahead of when the software launches. The public betas come a couple days after Apple provided developers with the second betas.
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Public beta testers can download the updates from the Settings app on each device after opting into the beta through Apple’s public beta testing website.
iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 introduce the next Apple Intelligence features, including the first image generation capabilities.
The update adds Image Playground, a new app for creating images based on text descriptions. You can enter anything you want, though Apple will suggest costumes, locations, items, and more to add to an image. There are options to create characters that resemble your friends and family, and you can choose a photo for Image Playground to use as inspiration to create a related image. Elements added to Image Playground creations are previewed, and there is a preview history so you can undo a change and go back to a prior version.
While Image Playground is a standalone app, it is also integrated into Messages, Notes, Freeform, and more. Image Playground does not make photorealistic images and is instead limited to animation or illustration styles.
The update also adds Genmoji, which are customizable emoji characters that you can create based on descriptions and phrases. Like Image Playground creations, you can base them on your friends and family, with the data pulled from the People album in Photos. You can also make characters using basic elements, and you’ll get multiple Genmoji suggestions to choose from. You can create Genmoji using the emoji keyboard.
Genmoji are limited to iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 right now, and will be coming to macOS Sequoia later.
Siri in iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 has ChatGPT integration. If Siri is unable to provide an answer to a question, Siri will hand the request over to ChatGPT, though Siri will need user permission first. ChatGPT will answer the question and relay the information back through Siri.
ChatGPT can be used to create content from scratch, including text and images. No account is required to use ChatGPT integration, and Apple and OpenAI do not store requests.
If you have an iPhone 16, there’s a Visual Intelligence feature in iOS 18.2 that provides information about what’s around you. Open up the camera and point it at a restaurant to get reviews, or point it at an item to search Google for it.
Some other Visual Intelligence capabilities include reading text out loud, detecting phone numbers and addresses to add them to Contacts, copying text, and summarizing text.
Apple added Writing Tools in iOS 18.1, but in iOS 18.2, you can more freely describe the tone or content change that you want to make, such as adding more action words, or turning an email into a poem.
Apple Intelligence now supports localized English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, and the UK in addition to U.S. English.
Wait List
If you’ve already been testing Apple Intelligence and are opted in, you will have access to Writing Tools, ChatGPT integration, and Visual Intelligence automatically.
There is a secondary waiting list for early access to use Genmoji, Image Playground, and Image Wand. You can sign up to get access in Image Playground or in the areas where you access Genmoji or Image Wand.
When you request access, you are added to a wait list for all three capabilities and you’ll get a notification when the features are available for you to use. Apple will roll out access over time.
Availability and Compatibility
The public betas are available on all devices, but the Apple Intelligence features require a device capable of Apple Intelligence.
Apple is still working on refining the new Apple Intelligence tools, and the company warns that Genmoji, Image Wand, and Image Playground can sometimes give you results you weren’t expecting. Apple is collecting feedback on these experiences and will refine them over time.
Release Date
Apple is expected to release the iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2, watchOS 11.2, tvOS 18.2, and visionOS 2.2 updates in early December.Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS SequoiaRelated Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS SequoiaThis article, “Apple Seeds First Public Betas of iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2 With New Apple Intelligence Features” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple today seeded the first public betas of upcoming iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 updates, allowing the public to try out the new features ahead of when the software launches. The public betas come a couple days after Apple provided developers with the second betas.
Public beta testers can download the updates from the Settings app on each device after opting into the beta through Apple’s public beta testing website.
iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 introduce the next Apple Intelligence features, including the first image generation capabilities.
The update adds Image Playground, a new app for creating images based on text descriptions. You can enter anything you want, though Apple will suggest costumes, locations, items, and more to add to an image. There are options to create characters that resemble your friends and family, and you can choose a photo for Image Playground to use as inspiration to create a related image. Elements added to Image Playground creations are previewed, and there is a preview history so you can undo a change and go back to a prior version.
While Image Playground is a standalone app, it is also integrated into Messages, Notes, Freeform, and more. Image Playground does not make photorealistic images and is instead limited to animation or illustration styles.
The update also adds Genmoji, which are customizable emoji characters that you can create based on descriptions and phrases. Like Image Playground creations, you can base them on your friends and family, with the data pulled from the People album in Photos. You can also make characters using basic elements, and you’ll get multiple Genmoji suggestions to choose from. You can create Genmoji using the emoji keyboard.
Genmoji are limited to iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 right now, and will be coming to macOS Sequoia later.
Siri in iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 has ChatGPT integration. If Siri is unable to provide an answer to a question, Siri will hand the request over to ChatGPT, though Siri will need user permission first. ChatGPT will answer the question and relay the information back through Siri.
ChatGPT can be used to create content from scratch, including text and images. No account is required to use ChatGPT integration, and Apple and OpenAI do not store requests.
If you have an iPhone 16, there’s a Visual Intelligence feature in iOS 18.2 that provides information about what’s around you. Open up the camera and point it at a restaurant to get reviews, or point it at an item to search Google for it.
Some other Visual Intelligence capabilities include reading text out loud, detecting phone numbers and addresses to add them to Contacts, copying text, and summarizing text.
Apple added Writing Tools in iOS 18.1, but in iOS 18.2, you can more freely describe the tone or content change that you want to make, such as adding more action words, or turning an email into a poem.
Apple Intelligence now supports localized English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, and the UK in addition to U.S. English.
Wait List
If you’ve already been testing Apple Intelligence and are opted in, you will have access to Writing Tools, ChatGPT integration, and Visual Intelligence automatically.
There is a secondary waiting list for early access to use Genmoji, Image Playground, and Image Wand. You can sign up to get access in Image Playground or in the areas where you access Genmoji or Image Wand.
When you request access, you are added to a wait list for all three capabilities and you’ll get a notification when the features are available for you to use. Apple will roll out access over time.
Availability and Compatibility
The public betas are available on all devices, but the Apple Intelligence features require a device capable of Apple Intelligence.
Apple is still working on refining the new Apple Intelligence tools, and the company warns that Genmoji, Image Wand, and Image Playground can sometimes give you results you weren’t expecting. Apple is collecting feedback on these experiences and will refine them over time.
Release Date
Apple is expected to release the iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2, watchOS 11.2, tvOS 18.2, and visionOS 2.2 updates in early December.
This article, “Apple Seeds First Public Betas of iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2 With New Apple Intelligence Features” first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
Apple Intelligence Servers Expected to Start Using M4 Chips Next Year After M2 Ultra This Year
Apple plans to start using the M4 chip in its Apple Intelligence servers next year, according to a Nikkei Asia report this week citing TrendForce analyst Frank Kung. Apple Intelligence servers are currently powered by the M2 Ultra chip, per previous reports.
The report claims that Apple has approached its largest manufacturing partner Foxconn about building additional Apple Intelligence servers in Taiwan.
It is unclear if the new servers will be equipped with the standard M4 chip, or a higher-end variant like the M4 Pro, M4 Max, or yet-to-be-announced M4 Ultra. It is also unclear if the existing servers with the M2 Ultra will be immediately upgraded to M4 chips.
Apple’s plan to use M4 chips in servers was previously revealed by Haitong analyst Jeff Pu.
While some Apple Intelligence features rely entirely on on-device processing, Apple says requests that “require more processing power” rely on Private Cloud Compute models that are stored on the Apple Intelligence servers. When using Private Cloud Compute, Apple says that a user’s data is never stored or shared with the company.
iOS 18.1 was released last month with the first Apple Intelligence features on the iPhone, such as writing tools and notification summaries. iOS 18.2 will be released to the public in December with additional Apple Intelligence features, including Genmoji for custom emoji, Image Playground for image generation, ChatGPT integration for Siri, and more.Tags: Apple Intelligence, NikkeiThis article, “Apple Intelligence Servers Expected to Start Using M4 Chips Next Year After M2 Ultra This Year” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple plans to start using the M4 chip in its Apple Intelligence servers next year, according to a Nikkei Asia report this week citing TrendForce analyst Frank Kung. Apple Intelligence servers are currently powered by the M2 Ultra chip, per previous reports.
The report claims that Apple has approached its largest manufacturing partner Foxconn about building additional Apple Intelligence servers in Taiwan.
It is unclear if the new servers will be equipped with the standard M4 chip, or a higher-end variant like the M4 Pro, M4 Max, or yet-to-be-announced M4 Ultra. It is also unclear if the existing servers with the M2 Ultra will be immediately upgraded to M4 chips.
Apple’s plan to use M4 chips in servers was previously revealed by Haitong analyst Jeff Pu.
While some Apple Intelligence features rely entirely on on-device processing, Apple says requests that “require more processing power” rely on Private Cloud Compute models that are stored on the Apple Intelligence servers. When using Private Cloud Compute, Apple says that a user’s data is never stored or shared with the company.
iOS 18.1 was released last month with the first Apple Intelligence features on the iPhone, such as writing tools and notification summaries. iOS 18.2 will be released to the public in December with additional Apple Intelligence features, including Genmoji for custom emoji, Image Playground for image generation, ChatGPT integration for Siri, and more.
This article, “Apple Intelligence Servers Expected to Start Using M4 Chips Next Year After M2 Ultra This Year” first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
Amazon Expands iPad Mini 7 Sale With More Models Available at $99 Discount
Amazon this week continues to provide record low prices on multiple models of the new iPad mini 7, starting at $399.99 for the 128GB Wi-Fi tablet, down from $499.00. All of the deals on the iPad mini 7 in this article require you to clip an on-page coupon in order to see the discounts.
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.
Amazon has all four colors of the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 on sale at this all-time low price, expanding on the sale that began last week with just two colors. You can also get the 512GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 for $699.99, down from $799.00. We’re not tracking any deals on the 256GB Wi-Fi model this time around, nor any cellular models.
Note: You won’t see the deal price until checkout.
$99 OFF128GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 for $399.99
$99 OFF512GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 for $699.99
These iPad mini 7 discounts are part of Amazon’s early Black Friday discounts, which also include other iPads like the 9th and 10th generation iPads, and the M2 iPad Air. You can find more information about these deals in our Best Early Black Friday iPad Deals guide, and check out our overall Best Early Black Friday Apple Deals guide for everything else currently on sale.
We’re keeping track of all of the season’s best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you’ll find for Black Friday 2024.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about top deals as we head into the holidays? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we’ll keep you updated so you don’t miss the biggest deals of the season!
Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, “Amazon Expands iPad Mini 7 Sale With More Models Available at $99 Discount” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Amazon this week continues to provide record low prices on multiple models of the new iPad mini 7, starting at $399.99 for the 128GB Wi-Fi tablet, down from $499.00. All of the deals on the iPad mini 7 in this article require you to clip an on-page coupon in order to see the discounts.
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.
Amazon has all four colors of the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 on sale at this all-time low price, expanding on the sale that began last week with just two colors. You can also get the 512GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 for $699.99, down from $799.00. We’re not tracking any deals on the 256GB Wi-Fi model this time around, nor any cellular models.
These iPad mini 7 discounts are part of Amazon’s early Black Friday discounts, which also include other iPads like the 9th and 10th generation iPads, and the M2 iPad Air. You can find more information about these deals in our Best Early Black Friday iPad Deals guide, and check out our overall Best Early Black Friday Apple Deals guide for everything else currently on sale.
We’re keeping track of all of the season’s best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you’ll find for Black Friday 2024.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about top deals as we head into the holidays? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we’ll keep you updated so you don’t miss the biggest deals of the season!
This article, “Amazon Expands iPad Mini 7 Sale With More Models Available at $99 Discount” first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
The Best Early Black Friday Apple Watch Deals
Black Friday is just around the corner, and Apple Watch deals have begun appearing ahead of the shopping holiday on November 29. In this article, we’ll take a look at all of the best early Black Friday Apple Watch deals, including the new Series 10 models.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Of course, there is a chance that we could see better deals on these Apple Watch models arrive as Black Friday gets closer. This is a risk anyone has to take while shopping during the holidays, so with that in mind, many of the deals shared below are currently their best prices ever seen. More information on these sales can be found in our Black Friday Roundup.
Best Apple Watch Deals
Apple Watch SE (40mm GPS) for $189.00 ($60 off)
Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm GPS) for $354.28 ($45 off)
Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm GPS) for $392.00 ($37 off)
Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Black) for $721.89 ($77 off)
Best Black Friday Deals
The Best Early Black Friday Apple Deals
The Best Early Black Friday AirPods Deals
The Best Early Black Friday iPad Deals
Apple Watch Series 10
Right now, the best early Black Friday Apple Watch deals are focused entirely on the new Series 10 models. You can get the 42mm GPS device for $355.28 at Amazon, down from $399.00. This $44 discount is a new all-time low price on the 2024 smartwatch. Likewise, the 46mm GPS is down to $392.00 at Amazon, which is a $37 markdown and record low price.
$45 OFFApple Watch Series 10 (42mm GPS) for $354.28
$37 OFFApple Watch Series 10 (46mm GPS) for $392.00
Apple Watch Ultra 2
In terms of other Apple Watch deals, Amazon has the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in Black for $722.89, down from $799.00. This is an all-time low price on the new 2024 model of the Apple Watch Ultra, and right now only the Black model with Black Trail Loop (M/L) is on sale at this price.
$77 OFFApple Watch Ultra 2 for $721.89
However, there are multiple models available at just a few dollars higher at $729.99, like the Black with Dark Green Alpine Loop and Natural with Blue Trail Loop.
Apple Watch SE
Amazon has the 40mm GPS Apple Watch SE for just $189.00, down from $249.00, which is a second-best price for the model. The 44mm GPS model is also at a second-best price of $219.00 this week.
$60 OFFApple Watch SE (40mm GPS) for $189.00
$60 OFFApple Watch SE (44mm GPS) for $219.00
You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we’re keeping track of all of the season’s best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you’ll find for Black Friday 2023.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about top deals as we head into the holidays? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we’ll keep you updated so you don’t miss the biggest deals of the season!
Related Roundups: Apple Black Friday, Apple DealsRelated Forum: Community DiscussionThis article, “The Best Early Black Friday Apple Watch Deals” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Black Friday is just around the corner, and Apple Watch deals have begun appearing ahead of the shopping holiday on November 29. In this article, we’ll take a look at all of the best early Black Friday Apple Watch deals, including the new Series 10 models.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Of course, there is a chance that we could see better deals on these Apple Watch models arrive as Black Friday gets closer. This is a risk anyone has to take while shopping during the holidays, so with that in mind, many of the deals shared below are currently their best prices ever seen. More information on these sales can be found in our Black Friday Roundup.
Best Apple Watch Deals
Apple Watch SE (40mm GPS) for $189.00 ($60 off)
Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm GPS) for $354.28 ($45 off)
Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm GPS) for $392.00 ($37 off)
Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Black) for $721.89 ($77 off)
Best Black Friday Deals
The Best Early Black Friday Apple Deals
The Best Early Black Friday AirPods Deals
The Best Early Black Friday iPad Deals
Apple Watch Series 10
Right now, the best early Black Friday Apple Watch deals are focused entirely on the new Series 10 models. You can get the 42mm GPS device for $355.28 at Amazon, down from $399.00. This $44 discount is a new all-time low price on the 2024 smartwatch. Likewise, the 46mm GPS is down to $392.00 at Amazon, which is a $37 markdown and record low price.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
In terms of other Apple Watch deals, Amazon has the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in Black for $722.89, down from $799.00. This is an all-time low price on the new 2024 model of the Apple Watch Ultra, and right now only the Black model with Black Trail Loop (M/L) is on sale at this price.
However, there are multiple models available at just a few dollars higher at $729.99, like the Black with Dark Green Alpine Loop and Natural with Blue Trail Loop.
Apple Watch SE
Amazon has the 40mm GPS Apple Watch SE for just $189.00, down from $249.00, which is a second-best price for the model. The 44mm GPS model is also at a second-best price of $219.00 this week.
You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we’re keeping track of all of the season’s best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you’ll find for Black Friday 2023.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about top deals as we head into the holidays? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we’ll keep you updated so you don’t miss the biggest deals of the season!
This article, “The Best Early Black Friday Apple Watch Deals” first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
iOS 18.2 Lets You Track Progress of Safari Downloads on Lock Screen
iOS 18.2 expands Live Activities support to ongoing Safari downloads, allowing you to quickly track the progress of file downloads on the iPhone’s Lock Screen, and in the Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro models and newer.
This is a minor but useful improvement coming with iOS 18.2. The update is currently in beta, and it will be released in December, according to Apple.
Check out our lists of new features and changes in the first and second betas of iOS 18.2 to see what else is coming with the update, including additional Apple Intelligence features like Genmoji, Image Playground, and ChatGPT integration for Siri.Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18This article, “iOS 18.2 Lets You Track Progress of Safari Downloads on Lock Screen” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
iOS 18.2 expands Live Activities support to ongoing Safari downloads, allowing you to quickly track the progress of file downloads on the iPhone’s Lock Screen, and in the Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro models and newer.
This is a minor but useful improvement coming with iOS 18.2. The update is currently in beta, and it will be released in December, according to Apple.
Check out our lists of new features and changes in the first and second betas of iOS 18.2 to see what else is coming with the update, including additional Apple Intelligence features like Genmoji, Image Playground, and ChatGPT integration for Siri.
This article, “iOS 18.2 Lets You Track Progress of Safari Downloads on Lock Screen” first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
iPhone Glass Supplier Corning Faces EU Antitrust Probe
Apple supplier Corning is facing a European Commission-led antitrust probe over potential anticompetitive practices related to its dominant position in the smartphone cover glass market, specifically in relation to its Gorilla Glass technology.
The investigation centers on concerns that US-based Corning may have abused its market position by adopting exclusivity contracts to prevent rival glass makers from competing for business with mobile device manufacturers. The Commission is particularly focused on arrangements that allegedly required manufacturers to source “all or nearly all” of their specialized alkali-aluminosilicate glass from Corning.
“It is [a] very frustrating and costly experience to break a mobile phone screen. Therefore, strong competition in the production of the cover glass used to protect such devices is crucial to ensure low prices and high-quality glass,” said EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager in a statement. “We are investigating if Corning, a major producer of this special glass, may have tried to exclude rival glass producers, thereby depriving consumers from cheaper and more break-resistant glass.”Corning’s relationship with Apple has been particularly strong over the years, with Apple having invested $495 million in the company through its Advanced Manufacturing Fund between 2017 and 2021. This collaboration led to the development of Ceramic Shield, which Apple describes as its “most advanced glass ceramic formulation” in the iPhone 16 lineup, claiming that it is twice as tough as competitive smartphone glass.
The partnership has yielded exclusive benefits for Apple’s devices. While competitors like Samsung use standard Gorilla Glass products, including the recent “Gorilla Armor” for the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Apple’s Ceramic Shield technology remains exclusive to iPhone models since its introduction with the iPhone 12 in 2020. The glass is infused with nano-ceramic crystals at high temperatures while maintaining the transparency needed for the display, cameras, and Face ID sensors.
The Commission aims to determine whether Corning’s practices have led to higher prices and reduced innovation, but it has not set a deadline for the investigation’s completion. If Corning is found to have violated EU competition rules, it could face significant penalties. However, the company will have the opportunity to address the Commission’s concerns by offering commitments that could bring the investigation to a close. Tags: Corning, European Commission, European UnionThis article, “iPhone Glass Supplier Corning Faces EU Antitrust Probe” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple supplier Corning is facing a European Commission-led antitrust probe over potential anticompetitive practices related to its dominant position in the smartphone cover glass market, specifically in relation to its Gorilla Glass technology.
The investigation centers on concerns that US-based Corning may have abused its market position by adopting exclusivity contracts to prevent rival glass makers from competing for business with mobile device manufacturers. The Commission is particularly focused on arrangements that allegedly required manufacturers to source “all or nearly all” of their specialized alkali-aluminosilicate glass from Corning.
“It is [a] very frustrating and costly experience to break a mobile phone screen. Therefore, strong competition in the production of the cover glass used to protect such devices is crucial to ensure low prices and high-quality glass,” said EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager in a statement. “We are investigating if Corning, a major producer of this special glass, may have tried to exclude rival glass producers, thereby depriving consumers from cheaper and more break-resistant glass.”Corning’s relationship with Apple has been particularly strong over the years, with Apple having invested $495 million in the company through its Advanced Manufacturing Fund between 2017 and 2021. This collaboration led to the development of Ceramic Shield, which Apple describes as its “most advanced glass ceramic formulation” in the iPhone 16 lineup, claiming that it is twice as tough as competitive smartphone glass.
The partnership has yielded exclusive benefits for Apple’s devices. While competitors like Samsung use standard Gorilla Glass products, including the recent “Gorilla Armor” for the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Apple’s Ceramic Shield technology remains exclusive to iPhone models since its introduction with the iPhone 12 in 2020. The glass is infused with nano-ceramic crystals at high temperatures while maintaining the transparency needed for the display, cameras, and Face ID sensors.
The Commission aims to determine whether Corning’s practices have led to higher prices and reduced innovation, but it has not set a deadline for the investigation’s completion. If Corning is found to have violated EU competition rules, it could face significant penalties. However, the company will have the opportunity to address the Commission’s concerns by offering commitments that could bring the investigation to a close.
This article, “iPhone Glass Supplier Corning Faces EU Antitrust Probe” first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
Valve Launches Game Recording Feature for Steam Client
Valve has officially released Steam Game Recording, a new built-in feature that allows players to capture and share gameplay footage across PC, Mac, and Steam Deck devices. The feature recently exited beta testing and is now available through the Steam client.
Steam Game Recording offers both manual and automatic recording options, with manual recording triggered by a customizable hotkey. Players can configure recording length, quality settings, and storage limits through a dedicated Game Recording tab in Steam’s settings menu. The feature is disabled by default, but can be enabled through Steam’s settings menu.
The feature works with any game that supports Steam Overlay, including non-Steam titles. For privacy reasons, recordings only capture the game window itself while excluding other desktop content. Additional functionality includes basic editing tools, timeline management, and flexible export options. Recorded content can then be shared directly through Steam or exported as MP4 files.
This version of the Steam client is also the first to drop support for macOS 10.13 High Sierra and 10.14 Mojave, following Valve’s announcement earlier this year. Steam installations on these systems will no longer receive updates or security patches, but this is unlikely to affect that many Mac users as most will have already upgraded to newer versions.Tags: Steam, ValveThis article, “Valve Launches Game Recording Feature for Steam Client” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Valve has officially released Steam Game Recording, a new built-in feature that allows players to capture and share gameplay footage across PC, Mac, and Steam Deck devices. The feature recently exited beta testing and is now available through the Steam client.
Steam Game Recording offers both manual and automatic recording options, with manual recording triggered by a customizable hotkey. Players can configure recording length, quality settings, and storage limits through a dedicated Game Recording tab in Steam’s settings menu. The feature is disabled by default, but can be enabled through Steam’s settings menu.
The feature works with any game that supports Steam Overlay, including non-Steam titles. For privacy reasons, recordings only capture the game window itself while excluding other desktop content. Additional functionality includes basic editing tools, timeline management, and flexible export options. Recorded content can then be shared directly through Steam or exported as MP4 files.
This version of the Steam client is also the first to drop support for macOS 10.13 High Sierra and 10.14 Mojave, following Valve’s announcement earlier this year. Steam installations on these systems will no longer receive updates or security patches, but this is unlikely to affect that many Mac users as most will have already upgraded to newer versions.
This article, “Valve Launches Game Recording Feature for Steam Client” first appeared on MacRumors.com
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iOS 18.2 Could Show How Long Your iPhone Will Take to Charge
Apple appears to be working on a new battery charging feature for iPhone that will show users how much time it will take for their device to reach a full charge.
Code unearthed in the latest iOS 18.2 beta by 9to5Mac references a new “BatteryIntelligence” framework that apparently allows the system to calculate estimated charging completion times. While the feature has yet to be enabled, if Apple does implement it in the public release, iOS 18.2 may be able to notify users about how long it will take their iPhone to reach a specific charge level.
This would build upon iOS 18’s existing battery health capabilities, which include new options to limit maximum charging to 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95% to help preserve long-term battery health. iOS 18 also now alerts users when their iPhone is being charged with a slower-than-optimal charger.
Using the New iPhone Charging Limit Options in iOS 18
While the underlying framework exists in iOS 18.2 beta 2, it’s unclear whether the associated feature will be included in the final release or reserved for a future update. Apple is still releasing a course of iOS 18.2 betas to developers for testing in preparation for a planned release in early December.This article, “iOS 18.2 Could Show How Long Your iPhone Will Take to Charge” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple appears to be working on a new battery charging feature for iPhone that will show users how much time it will take for their device to reach a full charge.
Code unearthed in the latest iOS 18.2 beta by 9to5Mac references a new “BatteryIntelligence” framework that apparently allows the system to calculate estimated charging completion times. While the feature has yet to be enabled, if Apple does implement it in the public release, iOS 18.2 may be able to notify users about how long it will take their iPhone to reach a specific charge level.
This would build upon iOS 18’s existing battery health capabilities, which include new options to limit maximum charging to 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95% to help preserve long-term battery health. iOS 18 also now alerts users when their iPhone is being charged with a slower-than-optimal charger.
Using the New iPhone Charging Limit Options in iOS 18
While the underlying framework exists in iOS 18.2 beta 2, it’s unclear whether the associated feature will be included in the final release or reserved for a future update. Apple is still releasing a course of iOS 18.2 betas to developers for testing in preparation for a planned release in early December.
This article, “iOS 18.2 Could Show How Long Your iPhone Will Take to Charge” first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
Preserve iPhone Battery With Charging Limit Options in iOS 18
Apple has introduced expanded charging limit options for iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models in iOS 18, offering users more control over their device’s battery health. This feature, which previously capped charging at 80%, now includes new 85%, 90%, and 95% options.
The system Apple has applied aims to improve battery longevity by reducing the time your iPhone spends fully charged. Apple says the feature can be particularly beneficial for users who frequently keep their devices plugged in for extended periods.
Here’s how to use these new settings to potentially extend your iPhone’s battery lifespan.
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Battery.
Select Charging.
Choose your preferred charging limit from the available options: 80%, 85%, 90%, and 95%.
When deciding on a charging limit, consider your daily usage patterns. If you often have access to charging throughout the day, a lower limit like 80% or 85% might suffice. For those who need more battery life between charges, the 90% or 95% options could be more suitable.
Remember, you can always adjust these settings as your needs change. If you’re planning a long day away from power sources, you might temporarily disable the limit to get a full charge – and if you do, iOS 18 will offer you the option to keep the 100% setting on until tomorrow, or permanently.
Charging Recommendations
In addition, iOS 18 takes this feature a step further by proactively recommending a specific charging limit based on your usage habits. If you have an iPhone 15 or iPhone 16, expect to receive a notification after a while suggesting an optimal charging limit for your device. The recommendation will also appear in the Settings app under Battery → Charging.
It’s worth noting that this iOS 18 feature remains exclusive to the iPhone 15 lineup and the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup. Users of iPhone 14 Pro or older models will not find these options in their settings.
Slow Charger Warning
In addition to giving users more charging limits and recommendations, iOS 18 will warn you if you have been using a slow charger.
In the Settings ➝ Battery menu, the battery level graph now shows an orange color where slow charging has occurred over the last 24 hours. If the duration of the charge reaches a certain threshold, a “Slow Charger” warning will appear above the graph. Apple has yet to explain what charging speed triggers the warning, nevertheless it should be a handy detail for users that may still be using old chargers that are no longer up to the task.
Many wireless chargers advertise MagSafe compatibility but only offer Qi speeds or slower. This feature could help iPhone users identify why their devices aren’t charging at full speed. However, there’s no option to receive an alert when using a slower charger, which would have arguably been a more useful feature, as the battery settings are somewhat buried in the menu.Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, iPhone 15, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 ProBuyer’s Guide: iPhone 16 (Buy Now), iPhone 16 Pro (Buy Now)Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, iPhoneThis article, “Preserve iPhone Battery With Charging Limit Options in iOS 18” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple has introduced expanded charging limit options for iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models in iOS 18, offering users more control over their device’s battery health. This feature, which previously capped charging at 80%, now includes new 85%, 90%, and 95% options.
The system Apple has applied aims to improve battery longevity by reducing the time your iPhone spends fully charged. Apple says the feature can be particularly beneficial for users who frequently keep their devices plugged in for extended periods.
Here’s how to use these new settings to potentially extend your iPhone’s battery lifespan.
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Battery.
Select Charging.
Choose your preferred charging limit from the available options: 80%, 85%, 90%, and 95%.
When deciding on a charging limit, consider your daily usage patterns. If you often have access to charging throughout the day, a lower limit like 80% or 85% might suffice. For those who need more battery life between charges, the 90% or 95% options could be more suitable.
Remember, you can always adjust these settings as your needs change. If you’re planning a long day away from power sources, you might temporarily disable the limit to get a full charge – and if you do, iOS 18 will offer you the option to keep the 100% setting on until tomorrow, or permanently.
Charging Recommendations
In addition, iOS 18 takes this feature a step further by proactively recommending a specific charging limit based on your usage habits. If you have an iPhone 15 or iPhone 16, expect to receive a notification after a while suggesting an optimal charging limit for your device. The recommendation will also appear in the Settings app under Battery → Charging.
It’s worth noting that this iOS 18 feature remains exclusive to the iPhone 15 lineup and the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup. Users of iPhone 14 Pro or older models will not find these options in their settings.
Slow Charger Warning
In addition to giving users more charging limits and recommendations, iOS 18 will warn you if you have been using a slow charger.
In the Settings ➝ Battery menu, the battery level graph now shows an orange color where slow charging has occurred over the last 24 hours. If the duration of the charge reaches a certain threshold, a “Slow Charger” warning will appear above the graph. Apple has yet to explain what charging speed triggers the warning, nevertheless it should be a handy detail for users that may still be using old chargers that are no longer up to the task.
Many wireless chargers advertise MagSafe compatibility but only offer Qi speeds or slower. This feature could help iPhone users identify why their devices aren’t charging at full speed. However, there’s no option to receive an alert when using a slower charger, which would have arguably been a more useful feature, as the battery settings are somewhat buried in the menu.
This article, “Preserve iPhone Battery With Charging Limit Options in iOS 18” first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums