Display supplier for long-rumored HomePod with screen may have been selected
A report claims that a supplier has been picked for the display for a new HomePod with screen — perhaps fulfilling a prediction made almost two years ago.An artist's rendition of a HomePod with a displayHomePod with touch screen displays have been running for a long time, with a release date always seemingly six months or more away. However, if a report on Friday morning by DigiTimes is to be believed, Apple has picked a supplier for the screen.Tianma, a Chinese screen manufacturer, has reportedly been picked to supply the OLED screen for the long-rumored device. And, a company also said to be attached to the project, BYD, is said to be the only assembler of the product. Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple continues high-profile Severance promos with fun homepage panels
Apple is clearly really proud of Severance season 2, as the company continues its high-profile promos for the Apple TV+ show. After setting up a transparent Severance cube at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, complete with Lumon employees working at their desks, the company has now added some fun panels to its hompage … more…

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iOS 18.3 beta 3 changes and features – the Notification Summary update [Video]
Yesterday Apple dropped iOS 18.3 beta 3, two days after similar betas for watchOS and tvOS were released. We now have a likely explanation for the delay. Apple has been working to refine the Notification Summary feature, on platforms like iOS, which support Apple Intelligence. This update comes after more than one high-profile botched AI-generated summaries, which resulted in what appeared to be false and/or misleading headlines from organizations like BBC News. In a testament to how egregious these notifications were, Apple has made some significant changes to the way that these summaries work and how they are presented to the user. Watch our full explainer video, and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more. more…

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iOS 19: Everything you can expect from Apple’s big 2025 iPhone upgrade
Macworld Every year, we are introduced to a new version of iOS (alongside Apple’s other operating systems) at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June. It then marches through an extended beta-testing period before being released in September. But some of the key features of iOS are often planned to be introduced in subsequent updates. With iOS 18, the key Apple Intelligence feature didn’t arrive until iOS 18.1, with additional AI features in iOS 18.2, with even more coming in iOS 18.4—nearly half a year after the initial iOS 18 rollout. While Apple hasn’t yet announced iOS 19, it has been hard at work on the big iPhone upgrade for quite a while and some rumors have started to leak out, and it’s starting to look like iOS 18 is somewhat of a preview of how iOS 19 will go. Based on the most reliable leaks and rumors, here’s what you can expect when it arrives later this year. iOS 19: Release date Apple typically released the latest version of iOS to the public on the Monday following the iPhone launch event. Here are the release dates for the most recent versions of iOS: iOS 18: Monday, September 16, 2024 iOS 17: Monday, September 18, 2023 iOS 16: Monday, September 12, 2022 iOS 15: Monday, September 20, 2021 Based on recent history, we expect iOS 19 to release to the public on either Monday, September 15, or Monday, September 22. iOS 19: Beta Every year, the new iOS is announced at WWDC with a beta test for developers released immediately (or at most, a day later). It often takes 4-6 weeks for the first public beta to be released, coinciding with the second or third build for developers. Apple releases the developer beta immediately after the WWDC keynote, which is expected to be on Monday, June 9. iOS 18: Monday, June 10, 2024 iOS 17: Monday, June 5, 2023 iOS 16: Monday, June 6, 2022 iOS 15: Monday, June 7, 2021 What follows is a string of beta releases, typically eight or so in total, before the software releases in September. We expect the same schedule this year with iOS 19. You can get ready for the beta by signing up for the iOS beta program now. iOS 19: Compatibility We expect iOS 19 to be compatible with every iPhone that supports iOS 18. That includes: iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 15 iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 13 iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 12 iPhone 12 mini iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 11 iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 Pro Max iPhone XS iPhone XS Max iPhone XR iPhone SE (2nd generation) Of course, it will also support the new iPhone 17 models that will launch around the same time, and the new iPhone SE 4 (which may be called the iPhone 16E). As always, some features won’t be available on older models, as they lack the hardware resources for it. We do think the Apple Intelligence and Siri improvements will be available for all iPhone 16 and later models, though. iOS 19: New features More Apple Intelligence with an LLM Siri The most significant rumored change in iOS 19 so far is what some are calling an LLM (large language model) update” to Siri. The idea is to make Siri truly conversational, much like the advanced voice mode on ChatGPT is today, but with the added advantage of having access to all the on-device data and history for your iPhone and Apple services. This would be combined with a further expansion of App Intents, which are hooks for developers to allow Siri to interact with and perform actions within their apps. These App Intents are getting a huge boost in iOS 18.4 to go along with Siri’s “personal context” update, and iOS 19 is said to expand the concept even further. One caveat: This next big evolution for Siri isn’t expected to land until 2026, as part of an update to iOS 19. In other words, just as iOS 18.4 is “the big Siri update” for iOS 18, we can expect iOS 19.4 (or something like it) to be “the big Siri update” for iOS 19. Home app upgrades While not specifically mentioned in any of the current leaks or rumors, we find it hard to believe that Apple won’t have some significant improvements to the Home app, HomeKit, and related services in iOS 19. Why? Well, Apple is expected to release a wave of new smart home products throughout 2025 and 2026. A new smart home hub is first: it’s an affordable 7-inch tablet that runs its own custom operating system (code-named Pebble) that has an interface similar to StandBy on iPhone. It will support Apple Intelligence, FaceTime, and tie in with other Apple services but isn’t expected to have an App Store. After that, likely in 2026, Apple is said to be working on a new indoor smart security camera and a smart doorbell that would use Face ID to unlock your door the way it unlocks your phone. Further down the road, a smart home product with a movable screen on a robotic arm has been rumored, all of which will require deep integration with the iPhone and Home app. It’s hard to imagine Apple pushing into first-party smart home products this much without updating the somewhat aging and clunky Home interface or introducing new features to it.

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Rumor: Purported iPhone SE 4 images leak, fuel speculation as to design, feature, and color changes
A series of leaked images of the next-gen iPhone SE may have provided additional details as to its updated design and color options. The handset, which is said to be modeled off the iPhone 14, is now rumored to be receiving a significant makeover, including Apple ditching the familiar Home button in favor of an […] Source

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Apple currently in discussions with other financial institutions to take over Apple Card backing
Even if Goldman Sachs is looking for a way out of backing the Apple Card, Apple is currently in talks with at least three potential companies to take over Goldman’s end of the Apple Card partnership. According to Reuters, Apple is in talks with Barclays, Synchrony, and JPMorgan Chase. Goldman Sachs had reportedly approached American […] Source

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After almost three year wait, Severance season two starts streaming on Apple TV+ today
Severance premiered in February 2022, almost three years ago. With the season ending on an all-time cliffhanger, fans of the show have been eagerly waiting for more. However, the effect of Hollywood strikes and other factors delayed production significantly. But today, Apple is finally ready to launch the second season of Severance on Apple TV+, with the first episode kicking off directly after the events of the finale, from the innie perspective at least. more…

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You don’t have to turn on RCS to message with Android users
Macworld Apple added support for the Google-supported RCS (Rich Communication Services) message standard with iOS 18. RCS was created by the cellular industry to add advanced media and other features to messaging that would work across operating systems. Google adopted RCS in Android about five years ago, and it’s available for most phones that can run Android 5 (Lollipop, 2014) or later. The standard requires carrier upgrades, and nearly all have made them. Turning on RCS for your iPhone lets Android users send and receive messaging information or formatting that previously was limited to Android-to-Android (via RCS) or Apple-to-Apple (via iMessage). This includes read receipts that show when the recipient has viewed a message (if they have that option enabled), emoji tapbacks, extremely long messages, and audio messages. (iMessages appear as blue bubbles in a Messages conversation and only work among people using Apple hardware. SMS, MMS, and RCS messages appear as green bubbles.) You can enable or disable RCS in iPhone 18 via Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging. Disabling RCS doesn’t prevent you from communicating with Android users; instead, your iPhone reverts to interactions with them via SMS or MMS. Opt in or out of RCS via Settings > Apps > Messages.Foundry Apple’s version of RCS doesn’t yet support group texting. It also lacks the end-to-end encryption available with supported Android-to-Android RCS and is mandatory for iMessage. Your iPhone to Android messages are sent as if they passed over a secure web connection: they are encrypted and decrypted by servers on either end instead of only on your devices and that of recipients. An industry effort is underway to create an encryption standard that Apple would be able to use. This Mac 911 article is in response to a question submitted by a Macworld reader. Ask Mac 911 We’ve compiled a list of the questions we get asked most frequently, along with answers and links to columns: read our super FAQ to see if your question is covered. If not, we’re always looking for new problems to solve! Email yours to mac911@macworld.com, including screen captures as appropriate and whether you want your full name used. Not every question will be answered; we don’t reply to emails, and we cannot provide direct troubleshooting advice.

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Apple was fined $2.1B last year, but could pay it all off in a week
Apple was fined a global total of more than $2.1B last year for antitrust violations, but the sum was only the equivalent of just over a week’s worth of free cash flow. Encrypted email company Proton put together its latest Tech Fines Tracker, in which Google was the most heavily-fined company, with Apple in second place … more…

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Here’s how you can impress everyone with a new skill in 2025: StackSkills
Macworld Have you ever wanted to chef up a dinner like Gordon Ramsay? Or, are you dreaming of a new job in tech or IT this year? You could just reach your goals—and impress everybody with new skills—with this e-learning platform. Meet EDU Unlimited by StackSkills, your one-way ticket to lifetime access to over 1,000 courses on almost any topic you might be interested in. Grab it while it’s price-dropped to only $19.97 (reg. $600) through February 2. Imagine 2025 being the year you actually quit your job and pursue your dream role in social media marketing. Or, maybethis new year means you’ll actually learn to cook like Bobby Flay or draw. You could even become more financially literate and invest more wisely with StackSkills, thanks to its stock trading courses that are taught by real experts. Since this resource is yours for life, you can learn at your own pace. You’ll always have something new to learn, too, since new courses are added all the time. A new year means new skills, so get EDU Unlimited by StackSkills for just $19.97 while supplies last. This offer ends February 2 at 11:59 p.m. PT!   EDU Unlimited by StackSkills: Lifetime Access Only $19.97 at Macworld StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Social media domination starts with Post Breeze
Macworld Managing social media can feel like a full-time job, but with Post Breeze, it doesn’t have to. This all-in-one platform is designed to help creators, businesses, and social media gurus streamline their content strategy, boost engagement, and grow their audience effortlessly. With a lifetime Growth Plan for $49.99, you can manage up to 25 social accounts across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, LinkedIn, and Pinterest — all from one sleek dashboard. A unified calendar keeps your posting schedule on track, while cross-platform sharing ensures your content is optimized for every platform with just a click. Engagement? Covered. Automated replies for comments and direct messages save you time while keeping followers engaged. If you want to create scroll-stopping content, Post Breeze offers 500 AI credits monthly to produce viral videos, including grid layouts, faceless videos, and even fake text conversations — all tailored for social platforms. Collaboration is seamless, too, with support for up to three team members to manage content together. And with updates like advanced analytics and content suggestions on the horizon, your toolkit will only get better. For just $79.99, enjoy lifetime access to Post Breeze and take the stress out of social media management.    Post Breeze Growth Plan: Lifetime Subscription – $49.99 See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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iOS 18.3 will nuke bogus notification summaries for news stories
iOS 18.3 beta 3 brings several changes to Notification Summaries, including turning it off altogether for NEws and Entertainment apps. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Exclusive price drop: EDC keychain charging cable packs some secrets (and a low price)
This 8-in-1 EDC gadget is designed for anyone who needs fast charging. Save on a keychain charging cable with USB-C and Lightning. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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How to use ChatGPT in Apple Notes for macOS
ChatGPT is OpenAI's extremely useful chatbot for answering questions. Here's how to use the generative AI tool in Apple's Notes app in macOS.Use ChatGPT with Apple's Notes.Apple Intelligence is now integrated with OpenAi's ChatGPT in macOS, ad well as iOS and iPadOS. Many features of ChatGPT are integrated with Apple apps starting in macOS Sequoia 15.1, and iOS and iPadOS 18.2.While Apple has stated support for Apple Intelligence and ChatGPT are evolving and still in progress, some features are working and included in Apple's operating systems. Expect a further phased rollout of Apple Intelligence and ChatGPT in the near future. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple Watch Crash Detection credited with saving 55-year-old man who passed out while driving
No, that voice you heard wasn’t a call from the other side. It was emergency services calling to help thanks to Crash Detection on Apple Watch. That’s exactly what happened to a 55-year-old Apple Watch customer in Massachusetts after passing out while driving and ending up in his upside down car in someone’s pool. more…

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Sonnet Echo 13 Thunderbolt 5 Dock first with integrated PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD Storage
Sonnet has a new Thunderbolt 5 dock with four TB5 ports and an internal PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD slot that'll work with your existing M-series Macs and ensure future compatibility with higher speeds.New Sonnet Echo 13 SSD Dock. Image source: SonnetThunderbolt 5 is fresh to the market, and Sonnet didn't waste any time getting the Echo 13 SSD Dock to the market. It adds plenty of ports and SSD storage up to 4TB to your Mac.Since the Echo 13 SSD Dock is Thunderbolt 5 and is equipped with four Thunderbolt 5 ports, it is future-proofed for when companies like Apple embrace the spec. The ultra-fast spec allows bi-directional data bandwidth of 80Gbps, so support for two 8K displays is enabled on products that allow it. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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tvOS 18.2.1 now available with bug fixes
Apple TV users can now download tvOS 18.2.1, which addresses an issue where data may not sync correctly across devices.tvOS 18. Image source: AppleApple releases periodic updates for all of its operating systems, and they're not always significant. The tvOS 18.2.1 update showed up in Apple's update tracker earlier Thursday but began rolling out around 6 p.m. Eastern.The original tvOS 18.2 launched the Snoopy screensavers that change periodically, similar to the Snoopy Apple Watch face. The point update addresses an issue where data may not sync correctly across devices. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple Pulls AI-Generated Notifications For News After Generating Fake Headlines
An anonymous reader quotes a report from CNN: Apple is temporarily pulling its newly introduced artificial intelligence feature that summarizes news notifications after it repeatedly sent users error-filled headlines, sparking backlash from a news organization and press freedom groups. The rare reversal from the iPhone maker on its heavily marketed Apple Intelligence feature comes after the technology produced misleading or altogether false summaries of news headlines that appear almost identical to regular push notifications. On Thursday, Apple deployed a beta software update to developers that disabled the AI feature for news and entertainment headlines, which it plans to later roll out to all users while it works to improve the AI feature. The company plans to re-enable the feature in a future update. As part of the update, the company said the Apple Intelligence summaries, which users must opt into, will more explicitly emphasize that the information has been produced by AI, signaling that it may sometimes produce inaccurate results. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Price drop: Get a barely used 2017 MacBook Air for less than $230
Need a laptop for less? This deal on a refurbished MacBook Air gets you or a family member into the Apple ecosystem for just $229.97. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple’s most affordable iPad has an AI problem
Apple’s 10th-gen iPad is (regular $349), especially when you consider that the next comparable display size in the lineup starts at $600. iPad 10 has a full-screen design, fun colors, Touch ID, USB-C, and impressive cameras. However, there’s one missing feature that should make customers carefully consider purchasing this model. more…

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