Tuesday's iiPhone market outlook reports fell short of upbeat. Photo: Apple
A flurry of iPhone market outlook reports shows Apple’s juggernaut handset is still the top-seller in Japan while slipping to fourth place in China so far in 2024. And that comes as Apple lowers component shipment targets for the year amid supply chain challenges, pointing to a possibly down year.
iOS 17.4 is here with several major changes and features. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Apple just dropped iOS 17.4, bringing a plethora of new features — some of which fundamentally change how the iPhone works.
The biggest point update to iOS 17, iOS 17.4 comes almost six months after the operating system’s initial release. It enables support for third-party app stores, browsers and payment apps on the iPhone. The bummer? These major changes are only coming to the European Union. Still, there are a lot of new iOS 17.4 features that will enhance the experience of every iPhone user.
The EU agreed with Spotify that Apple's 'anti-steering' rule is illegal. Photo: Sora Shimazaki/Pexels CC
The European Commission fined Apple more than 1.8 billion euros Monday for “abusing its dominant position on the market for the distribution of music streaming apps.”
The ruling follows complaints by music streaming service Spotify. In a lengthy response to the fine, Apple said Spotify pays absolutely nothing for the array of services Cupertino provides. Apple also said it will appeal the EC’s decision.
iPhone SE could get a big design and size upgrade Photo: Filipe Alves
Apple last refreshed the iPhone SE in 2022. While the model is begging for an update, the company apparently plans to launch one only in 2025.
Despite the iPhone SE 4 a year away from launch, its alleged CAD renders have leaked online. They reveal its iPhone 14-inspired design and the addition of a 6.1-inch display with a notch.
At launch in 2014, CarPlay appeared in Volvo cars, as well as Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari models. Photo: Volvo
March 3, 2014: With the CarPlay launch, Apple introduces iOS functionality for iPhone users behind the wheel via the car’s in-dash screen.
Showcasing the new car infotainment platform at the Geneva International Auto Show, Apple calls CarPlay “a smarter, safer and more fun way to use iPhone in the car.” Vehicles from Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo are the first off the line to incorporate it.
After Project Titan crashes and burns, Apple goes all in on artificial intelligence. Image: Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Apple pulled the plug on Project Titan, its not-so-secret, decade-long effort to build a self-driving electric car. After spending a reported $10 billion on R&D, the moonshot Apple car project winds up canceled — in favor of generative AI!
Let’s just say we have some opinions.
Also on The CultCast:
Apple’s FineWoven iPhone cases don’t seem to hold up so well. In fact, a high-profile journo says hers is “browning like a rotten banana.” What gives?
Apple Arcade’s shifting mission means kids will be winners (but indie devs will be losers).
Waiting for a second-gen Vision Pro that will be lighter, brighter and less expensive? You might want to rethink that plan.
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
The historical action film Napoleon will be available to stream globally on Apple TV+ in March. Photo: Apple TV+
Napoleon, a historical epic from director Ridley Scott, began streaming on Apple TV+ on March 1, after having its global premier in theaters in November.
The movie stars Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon Bonaparte, the French emperor who conquered much of Europe. It details the tyrant’s ruthless rise to power and his obsessive love for his wife, Empress Josephine.
Love that transparent look to Beats Studio Buds+. Photo: Apple
It’s a rare day you see big price drops at Apple.com, but Friday saw Beats headphones and earbuds price drops there and at retailers like Amazon.
So here’s your chance to grab Beats Studio Pro headphones at $349.99 $199.95 and Beats Studio Buds+ at $169.95 $129.95, among other great deals. See below.
You're going to be busy in March and April. Photo: Apple TV+
Apple TV+ adds movies from time to time — just not usually 50+ at once. But that’s what it did this week with its “Great movies on Apple TV” collection. It includes big-time titles like Mad Max: Fury Road, The Wolf of Wall Street, Titanic and Saving Private Ryan. You can also go old-school comedy with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and — why not — Old School.
They’re free for subscribers in the United States to stream, but half will be gone at the end of March. The other half will last through April. Another new arrival is Ridley Scott’s Napoleon, but that Apple Original will stick around.