Apple could refresh its MacBook Pro lineup with M4 chips as soon as Q4 2024. Based on supply-chain checks, panel shipments for the 14-inch and 16-inch models will start in Q3 2024.
Typically, this indicates that Apple will start shipping new MacBook Pro models in the last quarter of the year.
A cheaper version of Apple’s Vision augmented reality headset has reportedly been fast-tracked. The goal is supposedly to have the scaled-back device on the market by 2025.
To accomplish this, Apple allegedly halted work on the next generation high-end Vision Pro model.
The Apple Watch Series 10 might adopt a thinner design with a bigger display. Reportedly, Apple will bump the chassis size from 41mm and 45mm to 45mm and 49mm.
Disappointingly, the company apparently does not plan significant upgrades for the Apple Watch Ultra this year. It might get a new black color option, but that’s about it.
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: With Apple’s big Worldwide Developers Conference hurtling at us like an AI-powered hype train, we once again put our professional reputations on the line. That’s right, it’s time to make our WWDC24 predictions.
We’ve got a special wild-card question this time around. And you can play along, if you’ve got the nerve!
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New artificial intelligence features are likely to make iOS 18, macOS 15 and iPadOS 18 the biggest upgrades to Apple’s platforms in many years. Leaks say AI enhancements are coming to most of Apple’s standard apps, helping users write, summarize information, clean up images and more. At their announcement coming at next week’s WWDC24, these will all come under the heading of “Apple Intelligence.”
Plus, Siri reportedly will get a significant intelligence upgrade.
WWDC24 kicks off on June 10 but you don’t need to wait until then to find out what’s in store for iPhone, Mac and other Apple computers. Leaks already revealed much of what to expect at Apple’s annual developers conference, at least in broad terms. Here’s your WWDC24 spoiler alert: “Apple Intelligence” in the form of AI, AI and more AI.
Here’s what will be on the agenda when Apple unveils iOS 18, macOS 15 and iPadOS 18 next week.
Apple plans to release its own Passwords app that will compete with rival password apps like 1Password, LastPass and Dashlane, according to a new report. The new Apple Passwords app will be based on the company’s existing iCloud Keychain technology, but will dress it up and make it more user-friendly.
The standalone Apple Passwords app will sync across devices and add advanced features similar to competitors’ offerings. Apple reportedly plans to showcase it at next week’s Worldwide Developers Conference, then roll it out in iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS 15. Plus, it will work with Vision Pro and Windows computers!
Apple will add an AI chatbot powered by OpenAI to iPhone and Mac, according to an unconfirmed report. But users of these devices won’t be forced to use it.
And that goes for more than the chatbot. Apparently, Apple will give users the option to pass on all the upcoming artificial intelligence features. The company plans to showcase its big AI push at its Worldwide Developers Conference next week.
Apple will overhaul its Settings app across iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS 15 when it unveils the updates at WWDC24, according to a report Friday. In other words, not everything at the big developers conference will be about AI.
Update: Control Center, which provides easy access to frequently used features on iPhones (as well as Macs and iPads), should see changes, too. Apple will upgrade it “with a new music widget and improvements to how it operates smart home appliances,” Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman wrote over the weekend in his PowerOn newsletter.
The iPhone 16 Pro could sport the world’s slimmest bezels on a smartphone. Its borders will apparently measure just 1.2mm, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max having even slimmer bezels at 1.15mm.
The slimmer bezels should help offset the size increase due to Apple using larger displays on its 2024 iPhones.
Don’t get your heart set on new Macs launching at WWDC24 next week. A generally reliable tipster predicts that that’ll be none unveiled at Apple’s developer conference.
And not just Macs. Supposedly the agenda includes no new hardware at all.
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: In the near future, your iPhone might look as wild and unique as you want it to. Home Screen customization options, rumored to arrive in iOS 18, could bring a new level of personality to iPhones. And then there’s the AI-generated emoji we’ve been hearing about.
Hold onto your hats, iPhone owners. Things are about to get weird!
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Apple could add new text effects to iMessage in iOS 18. One of the effects reportedly includes the ability to animate individual words in a message. If you’re curious about how to bold text in iMessage, Apple has some useful tricks that can help make your messages stand out.
iMessage, Apple’s proprietary instant messaging service, already supports many message effects and animations to add some excitement to texts. The possible new text effects in iOS 18 should make things even more eye-catching and fun.
As a part of its AI upgrade, Siri in iOS 18 will reportedly enable control of individual apps through your voice. Apple has supposedly upgraded its voice assistant’s underlying architecture using LLMs to achieve this.
Additionally, Apple will process many basic AI tasks on-device in iOS 18 for faster response and a better user experience.
Apple is developing a MacBook with a folding touchscreen that might come with either a 20.25-inch or an 18.8-inch panel, according to a trusted analyst. And new info from the analyst indicates the slightly smaller is more likely.
In addition to the size, it’ll have another immediately noticeable advantage over current foldable displays: eliminating the visible crease is reportedly one of Apple’s goals.
Apple might use generative AI in iOS 18 to allow iPhone users to create custom emojis, letting them express themselves just the way they want. The company is already at the forefront of adding the latest Unicode emoji to iOS.
Additionally, Apple is working on an AI-powered smart recaps feature. It will provide you with a summary of your missed notifications, new messages, documents, and more.
iOS 18 reportedly will let iPhone users change app icon colors on the Home Screen. Plus, they would be able to put the icons anywhere they want.
Since iOS’ inception, app icons on iPhone’s Home Screen have snapped to a grid, much to the dismay of some users. However, Apple could finally tweak this behavior with iOS 18.
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: First we get into what makes the M4 iPad Pro so fabulous. Then we discuss the latest rumors about iPhone 16 and beyond. And then we ponder the unthinkable: A Siri that’s actually smart!
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An OLED screen intended for iPad mini is active development, according to an unconfirmed report coming out of Asia. Apple’s smallest tablet will get the improved display in a couple of years.
The news comes on the heels of the launch of the M4 iPad Pro, the first in this line of tablets with an OLED screen.
Apple could launch the iPhone 16 Pro in a new rose shade, replacing the iPhone 15 Pro’s blue titanium color. The other color options should remain similar, though they might have a different hue. For the iPhone 16 series, Apple might offer a new white shade, while retaining the iPhone 15‘s four other color options.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro color case predictions come from TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. He thinks Apple might change the marketing names of certain colors this year. And even if it does not, the analyst thinks they “may look different,” he wrote Sunday on X.
Apple reportedly will make Siri’s voice more conversational in iOS 18. Plus, the voice assistant will gain several “proactive intelligence” features that will help in daily life.
Apple also might collaborate with OpenAI to integrate its chatbot and AI technology into iOS 18.
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: With the many AI-powered features reportedly coming in iOS 18, a Siri revamp sounds possible — and promising! We talk about OpenAI’s startlingly good GPT-4o demos and wonder if Siri will ever amaze us like that.
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Apple reportedly found ways to “significantly” slim down the iPhone. The result will reportedly be part of the iPhone 17 series when it reaches customers next year.
The news comes hot on the heels of the M4 iPad Pro, the “thinnest Apple product ever,” according to the iPhone-maker.
Apple could use higher-density cells for the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s battery. This would allow the company to improve battery life without increasing the battery size. Or it could reduce battery capacity without negatively affecting the phone’s runtime.
Also, for the first time, Apple might use a stainless steel battery case on the upcoming iPhone.
The wait to get Apple Vision Pro is apparently nearly over for consumers in more than half a dozen countries.
Although the AR/VR headset launched in the United States this winter, availability has yet to expand outside the borders of Apple’s home country. But Apple Store employees around the world are reportedly getting trained on the device. And the headset reportedly cleared a major regulatory hurdle Monday for launching in China.