assist – Latest Apple News https://www.latest-apple-news.com You can stay up-to-date on all the latest news, trends, and updates from the world of Apple. Our website is dedicated to bringing you the most comprehensive and reliable coverage of everything Apple, from the latest iPhone models to the newest Mac releases. Thu, 22 Jun 2023 15:15:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 https://www.latest-apple-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/cropped-pngwing.com_-32x32.png assist – Latest Apple News https://www.latest-apple-news.com 32 32 iPhone is dumb and besotted with Pixel in Google’s latest ad campaign https://www.latest-apple-news.com/2023/06/22/iphone-is-dumb-and-besotted-with-pixel-in-googles-latest-ad-campaign/ Thu, 22 Jun 2023 15:15:33 +0000 https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/22/23769713/google-pixel-ad-apple-iphone-best-phones-forever
An iPhone 14 Pro and a Google Pixel 7 Pro are positioned upright on a restaurant dining table. Text at the top of the image reads “They say opposites attract...”
Image: Google

Google has found a fun new way to dunk on Apple with an ad campaign for Pixel phones that straddles the line between cute and cringe. The search giant has released five videos — under the campaign name “Best Phones Forever” — which depict sitcom-like interactions between anthropomorphized versions of the Pixel 7 Pro and some sort of iPhone Pro. And it kinda seems like the phones want to bone each other?

Google has pitched this as “what happens when two phones stop being rivals and start being friends,” though the campaign largely focuses on the iPhone’s apparent shortcomings compared to Pixel phones — such as astrophotography, security, and Apple’s lack of foldable devices. The iPhone is basically portrayed as an outdated, inexperienced dumb dumb across all of the videos. It’s a similar riff to Apple’s iconic “Get a Mac” campaign but with phones. And some weird, robotic sexual tension.

Each of the videos follows a similar format. The iPhone and Pixel “characters” take part in various activities together, such as stargazing, watching a sunset, and going to the beach (which may or may not be a date). Then one of two things will happen:

The first is that the iPhone says something lovably stupid to depict its inferiority to Pixel devices (“You know, night sight. With my night light,” it says in “Seeing Stars” after turning on its flash to take better pictures of the night sky) before promptly dying — a nod to long-standing complaints surrounding battery life on older iPhone models. The second is that somber music rolls in and the iPhone starts confessing its jealousy over many of the Pixel 7 Pro’s features. “When I was your age, people were showing me off to their friends,” the iPhone laments in Google’s “Plateau” video. “Astrophotography mode, Call Assist, 30x zoom… you can do so many things I may never be able to.” And then it dies again.

Throughout everything, the iPhone waxes lyrical about how rad it thinks Pixel is, and there are a lot of weird, cutesy “will they, won’t they” moments. The Pixel has to clamber on top of the iPhone to save its life in the beach-themed ad (i.e., the phone activate its Battery Share feature to recharge the iPhone), and at one point, a Pixel Fold replaces the Pixel 7 Pro so that the character can “flash” the iPhone — opening up its brightly lit display like a sexy trench coat.

Poking fun at Apple is a tried and tested method for marketing campaigns at this point. Samsung went heavy on this in the past, seeing particular success with its “Growing Up” ad in 2017. Google’s decision to dunk on the iPhone with chummy, lighthearted teasing also seems to have worked in the search giant’s favor — the reactions to these ads across YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok have been overwhelmingly positive so far. Sure, it’s slightly cringey, but the humor works, and it’s certainly memorable — truly an “enemies to lovers” kinda vibe, though I’m not sure what fanfiction category AO3 would need to file this under.

]]> Apple expands Self Service Repair and updates System Configuration process https://www.latest-apple-news.com/2023/06/20/apple-expands-self-service-repair-and-updates-system-configuration-process-2/ Tue, 20 Jun 2023 17:55:44 +0000 https://macdailynews.com/?p=263716 Today Apple announced Self Service Repair will be available June 21 for the iPhone 14 lineup and additional Mac models, including the…

The post Apple expands Self Service Repair and updates System Configuration process appeared first on MacDailyNews. Today Apple announced Self Service Repair will be available June 21 for the iPhone 14 lineup and additional Mac models, including the 13-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro powered by M2. Since April 2022, Self Service Repair has given anyone with experience repairing electronic devices access to the same manuals, genuine Apple parts, and tools used at Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Service Providers.

Self Service Repair

Apple will also make the System Configuration process used for iPhone repairs, such as displays, batteries, and cameras, even easier to use. System Configuration is a postrepair software tool that ensures repairs with genuine Apple parts — designed and tested to internationally recognized standards — were completed correctly, and the parts are working properly. The tool is available for free to all Self Service Repair users and participating service providers in Apple repair programs.

Running System Configuration after a repair authenticates genuine Apple parts, updates firmware, and calibrates parts to ensure maximum performance and quality. Additionally, for repairs involving biometric authentication, such as Touch ID or Face ID, System Configuration links the biometric sensors to the Secure Enclave on the logic board to ensure device security and customer privacy.

Self Service Repair users can now initiate System Configuration by placing their devices into Diagnostics mode and following onscreen prompts. Users no longer need to contact the Self Service Repair support team to run the final step of a repair, but the team will still be available to assist as needed.

Self Service Repair will also be available for the True Depth camera and top speaker for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 lineups — as well as Mac desktops with M1 — in the U.S., Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K.

Self Service Repair is part of Apple’s efforts to expand access to repairs. Widespread repair access plays an important role in extending products’ longevity, which is good for users and good for the planet. For the vast majority of users who do not have experience repairing electronic devices, visiting a professional authorized repair provider with certified technicians who use genuine Apple parts is the safest and most reliable way to get a repair.

Over the past three years, Apple has nearly doubled the number of service locations with access to genuine Apple parts, tools, and training, including more than 4,500 Independent Repair Providers. A global network of more than 5,000 Apple Authorized Service Providers supports more than 100,000 active technicians.

MacDailyNews Note: Self Service Repair is intended for individuals with the knowledge and experience to repair electronic devices. If you are experienced with the complexities of repairing electronic devices, Self Service Repair provides you with access to genuine Apple parts, tools, and repair manuals to perform your own out-of-warranty repair. More info here.

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]]> Apple just fixed the most annoying part of its Self Service Repair program https://www.latest-apple-news.com/2023/06/20/apple-just-fixed-the-most-annoying-part-of-its-self-service-repair-program/ Tue, 20 Jun 2023 14:25:34 +0000 https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/20/23766959/apple-self-service-repair-iphone-14-m2-macbooks
Green backdrop, black apple logo, apple leaves surrounding
Illustration: The Verge

Apple will expand its Self Service Repair program to cover recent products, including the iPhone 14 lineup and M2-based MacBooks, starting on June 21st. But perhaps more importantly, the company seems to be responding to feedback by eliminating needless friction from the process. The “System Configuration” validation step that’s required after repairs — and involves calling Apple on the phone — has been criticized as burdensome. With the new changes, you won’t have to call the company’s repair support team anymore.

“Self Service Repair users can now initiate System Configuration by placing their devices into Diagnostics mode and following onscreen prompts,” Apple wrote in today’s press release. “Users no longer need to contact the Self Service Repair support team to run the final step of a repair, but the team will still be available to assist as needed.” No more time-wasting phone calls? Sounds like the right move, Apple. Our own Sean Hollister found the previous requirement to be one of the leading frustrations of his experience repairing an iPhone.

The System Configuration step “authenticates genuine Apple parts, updates firmware, and calibrates parts to ensure maximum performance and quality,” according to the company. As of June 21st, you’ll be able to order said parts for the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. That’s in addition to the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air and M2 Pro / M2 Max MacBook Pro laptops. No luck for the just-introduced 15-inch MacBook Air, but clearly, there’s some lead time required here, considering it took nine months for the current iPhone lineup to join the program.

A photo of the tools included as part of Apple’s Self Service Repair program.
Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge
Apple’s Self Service Repair program involves a whole lot of tools.

“Self Service Repair will also be available for the True Depth camera and top speaker for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 lineups — as well as Mac desktops with M1 — in the U.S., Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K.,” Apple wrote in today’s news release. The company is trumpeting its efforts to increase “widespread repair access” through Self Service Repair and a growing network of authorized service locations.

But the message for most consumers remains the same: you’re better off seeking professional assistance than giving this a go yourself. “For the vast majority of users who do not have experience repairing electronic devices, visiting a professional authorized repair provider with certified technicians who use genuine Apple parts is the safest and most reliable way to get a repair,” Apple said.

]]> What’s so ‘pro’ about Apple’s Vision Pro headset? https://www.latest-apple-news.com/2023/06/06/whats-so-pro-about-apples-vision-pro-headset/ Tue, 06 Jun 2023 14:04:34 +0000 https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/6/23750624/apple-vision-pro-headset-developers
A man controls Safari and other apps inside the Apple Vision Pro headset
Image: Apple

Apple needs developers to make the case for its new augmented reality headset.

Apple announced its $3,499 Vision Pro headset yesterday, and among all of the flashy demos, it got me thinking… what does “pro” actually mean for Apple’s new headset? While the iMac Pro, Mac Pro, and MacBook Pro have all been targeted at high-level professionals in the past, the audience for the Apple Vision Pro is a lot less obvious.

It’s one of the first times we’ve seen Apple launch a “pro” device without a corresponding entry-level equivalent since the MacBook Pro in 2006. And just like the MacBook Pro, the Apple Vision Pro was a “one more thing” surprise at the end of an Apple keynote. But the original MacBook Pro was obviously designed primarily for professionals in a way the Vision Pro isn’t.

The MacBook Pro was one of Apple’s first Macs to switch to Intel, announced alongside an Intel-powered iMac that was targeted more at consumers with a built-in iSight camera, DVD burning capabilities, and a bundle of digital lifestyle apps. The MacBook Pro was all about justifying the switch to Intel for power and, in particular, performance per watt. Steve Jobs stood onstage and even showed off SPECint benchmarks for CPU integer processing power during the announcement. Apple didn’t use any benchmarks to justify its “pro” label on the Vision Pro.

Steve Jobs Launches Annual MacWorld Expo
Photo by Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
Steve Jobs introduced the first MacBook Pro during the 2006 Macworld Expo.

That’s probably because the “pro” label has long lost its meaning across the industry since those early MacBook Pro days. OnePlus, Huawei, Xiaomi, and others started using “pro” monikers on phones before Apple decided to do the same with its iPhone 11 Pro in 2019. At the time, former Verge senior reporter Chaim Gartenberg (damn, I miss that nerd) asked what it even means for a phone to be “pro,” and here we are nearly four years later asking the same about a new headset.

While the “pro” label on iPhones has come to mean a better camera and screen, Apple hasn’t announced a regular Apple Vision headset without the “pro,” so this definition doesn’t apply here (yet). And the Apple Vision Pro isn’t clearly going after high-level creative professionals in the same way the MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, and iMac Pro have done in the past, either. In fact, Apple didn’t really show much content creation at all for the Vision Pro — it was mostly focused on content consumption, even in the work parts of its demos.

We saw the ability to drag and drop 3D content from Messages, but we didn’t see people creating that 3D content within the headset. There was a brief demo shown using a virtual keyboard to send a message, but not the complex type of “pro” interactions for text, document, and image manipulation using just your voice, hands, and eyes that we’ve come to expect from pro devices with a traditional mouse and keyboard attached.


Image: Apple
A virtual keyboard and apps on the Apple Vision Pro headset.

In fact, it looks like you’ll need a physical keyboard and mouse for that precise type of control on the Vision Pro. Because, like the iPad, developers will need to adapt their apps for this new input. Apple demonstrated the ability to use Bluetooth accessories like its Magic Trackpad and Magic Keyboard for when you want to type up long emails or fill out information in a spreadsheet. You can even remotely connect to a Mac screen and make it a portable and private 4K display in the headset, running alongside apps built for the Vision Pro headset.

“This powerful combination of capabilities makes Apple Vision Pro perfect for the office or for when you’re working remote,” said Allessandra McGinnis, a product manager for Apple Vision Pro, during Apple’s WWDC 2023 keynote. We didn’t really see just how powerful these capabilities are or how well the voice, eye, and hand gestures let you control and manipulate documents. Instead, Apple showed a 10-second demo of team collaboration on a document from the headset wearer’s point of view. But it was just a static document, and we didn’t see how you can interact with or create a document. What’s perfect for the office about this? We don’t really know yet.

One area where the Apple Vision Pro looks like it will excel is video calling. FaceTime looks slick, with virtual app sharing and a room-filling interface that expands as life-size people join the call. It’s not too dissimilar to what both Microsoft and Meta have been working on for immersive meetings, but once again, it’s all about consumption, not creation. Even Apple admitted that. “This is powerful for so many activities, like reviewing a presentation, sharing photos and videos, or watching a movie together,” said McGinnis. That’s still work, but what happens when you’re reviewing a presentation and want to make edits? Again, we don’t know.


Image: Apple
FaceTime work calls look great for when you’re traveling.

The rest of Apple’s presentation focused on the home and consumer uses like using the headset to create giant virtual monitors or TV screens to watch movies or play games. “With Vision Pro you’re no longer limited by a display,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook when introducing the don’t-call-it-VR headset to the world. The idea of having a mobile triple-monitor setup with me while I’m traveling sounds great and a killer feature for many professionals, but it’s also largely the same thing VR headsets have been doing for years now.

I don’t doubt that Apple has probably nailed text legibility here and made this immersive environment more compelling to use as a mobile workstation, but at $3,499, it’s a lot compared to the many VR headsets that can also create virtual giant workspaces and TV screens for you.

A few demonstrations did go beyond consumption. The redesigned Djay app for Apple Vision Pro looks like it will offer some impressive interaction unlike anything else Apple demonstrated.


Image: Apple
The Djay app on the Apple Vision Pro was one of the most interactive demos.

Microsoft was also quick to pledge its support for the Apple Vision Pro headset, enabling Apple to briefly demo Excel, Word, and Teams running on the headset. Adobe Lightroom also works on the Vision Pro and was shown being controlled with the eyes and hand gestures. Having these big names on board will undoubtedly push other developers to eagerly adapt their iPad and iPhone apps for Apple’s new headset.

Apple’s headset uses the same software frameworks available on iPadOS and iOS for visionOS, the operating system that powers the Vision Pro headset. “This means hundreds of thousands of iPad and iPhone apps will be available on Vision Pro at launch,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s VP of worldwide developer relations, during the company’s WWDC 2023 keynote. Just how well developers are able to adapt them is key to whether Apple’s “spatial computing” can replace or just assist our existing “pro” tools.

We’ve seen Apple struggle to adapt the iPad for creation over the years, even after the company blurred the lines with the iPad Pro — a hybrid device much like the Surface Pro that blends laptop and tablet. Apple spent most of its time during the iPad Pro announcement in 2015 demonstrating productivity apps like Office and Photoshop, with a focus on professionals getting work done. Almost 10 years later, I still grab a laptop when I want to get work done because iPad apps and the OS still haven’t quite caught up to macOS or Windows for multitasking and creation.

I’m not convinced Apple even knows why the Vision Pro is pro, leaving it to developers to make the case over time. (It was unveiled at WWDC, after all.) Because, without their help, what we’re looking at is a professional content consumption device for so-called prosumers that has the potential to be so much more.

]]> Apple previews macOS Sonoma https://www.latest-apple-news.com/2023/06/05/apple-previews-macos-sonoma/ Mon, 05 Jun 2023 21:39:57 +0000 https://macdailynews.com/?p=263357 Apple today previewed macOS Sonoma, the latest version of the world’s most advanced desktop operating system, bringing a rich…

The post Apple previews macOS Sonoma appeared first on MacDailyNews. macOS Sonoma makes the Mac experience better than ever — from more ways to personalize with widgets, to big updates to Safari and video conferencing, along with exciting new game titles.

macOS Sonoma makes the Mac experience better than ever — from more ways to personalize with widgets, to big updates to Safari and video conferencing, along with exciting new game titles.

Apple today previewed macOS Sonoma, the latest version of the world’s most advanced desktop operating system, bringing a rich set of features that elevate the Mac experience. Stunning screen savers and powerful widgets unlock an entirely new way to personalize. Users can now place widgets right on the desktop, interact with them with just a click, and through the magic of Continuity, access the extensive ecosystem of iPhone widgets on their Mac. In macOS Sonoma, video conferencing also gets more engaging with great new features to help users present remotely, like Presenter Overlay, which places a presenter on top of the content being shared, and Reactions, which enables fun gesture-triggered video effects in cinematic quality. Significant updates come to Safari, taking the web experience to the next level. Profiles keeps browsing separate between multiple topics or projects, and web apps provide faster access to favorite sites. And gaming gets even better, with the introduction of Game Mode, exciting new titles, and a new game porting toolkit that makes it even easier for developers to bring more games to Mac.

“macOS is the heart of the Mac, and with Sonoma, we’re making it even more delightful and productive to use,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, in a statement. “We think users are going to love macOS Sonoma and the new ways it enables them to personalize with widgets and stunning new screen savers, see new levels of gaming performance, and gain powerful productivity for video conferencing and browsing with Safari.”

Get More Done with Interactive Widgets

Widgets are now even more powerful and personal on Mac. Users can place widgets right on the desktop and conveniently access the widget gallery to find the ones they know and love. Widgets blend seamlessly with the wallpaper while users work in apps, so they can stay focused on the task at hand. Through the magic of Continuity, users can also enjoy the vast ecosystem of iPhone widgets on their Mac. And widgets become interactive, allowing users to check off reminders, play or pause media, access home controls, and perform various tasks from their Mac, all directly from the desktop.

Users can personalize their desktop with widgets, and with Continuity, they can even add widgets from their iPhone right on their Mac.
Users can personalize their desktop with widgets, and with Continuity, they can even add widgets from their iPhone right on their Mac.

Smarter Video Conferencing Experiences

macOS Sonoma brings enhanced video conferencing features that enable users to present and share their work more effectively within any video conferencing app. Presenter Overlay, a new video effect, elevates a user’s presence by displaying them on top of the content they are sharing. Additionally, Reactions allow users to share how they feel by seamlessly adding balloons, confetti, hearts, and more into the video, which can also be triggered with a hand gesture. The improved Screen Sharing picker simplifies the process of sharing apps during video calls. Users can simply click the green button in the top-left corner of an app and choose to share it in the call, allowing for easy content sharing from their currently open windows.

Major Updates to Safari

Safari, the world’s fastest browser, introduces new features to enhance the browsing experience for Mac users. This year brings a significant update to Private Browsing, which provides even greater protection during browsing both from trackers and from people who might have access to the user’s device. Advanced tracking and fingerprinting protections in Private Browsing go even further to help prevent websites from tracking or identifying the user. Private Browsing windows also lock when users are not using them, allowing them to keep tabs open even when they step away from their device.

Additionally, profiles help users stay organized by offering a way to separate browsing between topics, while also keeping cookies, history, extensions, Tab Groups, and Favorites separate. Users can sign in to the same site with both work and personal accounts — and quickly switch between them — ensuring a smooth browsing experience. Safari also enables the creation of web apps that behave like normal apps, putting users’ favorite sites at their fingertips and providing a simplified toolbar for an app-like experience.

With web apps on Mac, it’s now possible to create an app-like experience for any website, complete with an icon in the Dock for faster access, and a simplified toolbar for easier browsing.
With web apps on Mac, it’s now possible to create an app-like experience for any website, complete with an icon in the Dock for faster access, and a simplified toolbar for easier browsing.

Stunning New Screen Savers

macOS Sonoma brings stunning screen savers featuring slow-motion videos of various locations worldwide, such as the sweeping skyline of Hong Kong, the sandstone buttes of Monument Valley in Arizona, and the rolling hills of Sonoma in Northern California. This rich graphical and photographic imagery enhances the Mac experience by shuffling through Landscape, Earth, Underwater, or Cityscape themes. The login experience is now repositioned at the bottom of the screen, making space for the new screen savers, which seamlessly transition into the desktop.

Games on Mac Get Even Better

With the power of Apple silicon, users experience incredible graphics performance on every Mac. And now, tens of millions of Macs with Apple silicon can run demanding games with great performance, long battery life, and breathtaking visuals. Developers continue to take advantage of Metal 3, bringing exciting new titles to Mac, including DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT, Stray, Fort Solis, World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, HUMANKIND, Resident Evil Village: Winters’ Expansion, The Medium, ELEX II, Firmament, SnowRunner, Disney Dreamlight Valley, No Man’s Sky, Dragonheir: Silent Gods, and Layers of Fear. To make it easier to port games from other platforms to Mac, Metal introduces a new game porting toolkit, eliminating months of upfront work and enabling developers to see how well their existing game could run on Mac in just a few days. It also dramatically simplifies the process of converting the game’s shaders and graphics code to take full advantage of Apple silicon performance, significantly reducing the total development time.

macOS Sonoma also introduces Game Mode, giving players an edge when performance is measured in precious milliseconds. Game Mode delivers an optimized gaming experience with smoother and more consistent frame rates, by ensuring games get the highest priority on the CPU and GPU. Game Mode also makes gaming on Mac even more immersive — dramatically lowering audio latency with AirPods, and significantly reducing input latency with popular game controllers like those for Xbox and PlayStation by doubling the Bluetooth sampling rate. Game Mode works with any game, including all of the recent and upcoming Mac games.

Enhancing Hybrid and Remote Pro Workflows

Leveraging the advanced media engine in Apple silicon, macOS Sonoma brings a new high performance mode to the Screen Sharing app. Enabling incredibly responsive remote access to hybrid in-studio and remote pro workflows, it delivers low-latency audio, high frame rates, and supports up to two virtual displays. This mode empowers pros to securely access their content creation workflows from anywhere — whether editing in Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve, or animating complex 3D assets in Maya. And with support for reference color, it also enables remote color workflows that traditionally could not be performed without dedicated hardware and specialized software.

Enhanced Accessibility Features

macOS Sonoma introduces a range of accessibility features that make Mac even more customizable for all users. For customers with hearing disabilities, Made for iPhone hearing devices can connect to their Mac for calls and media consumption,1 while users who are nonspeaking can use Live Speech to type and vocalize their thoughts during calls and conversations. For users with physical and motor disabilities, phonetic suggestions appear when dictating and editing text with Voice Control on Mac. To assist users with cognitive disabilities, animated images like GIFs can be automatically paused in Messages and Safari. Additionally, users who are blind or have low vision can easily customize text size across Mac apps, and utilize Xcode with VoiceOver, Apple’s industry-leading screen reader.

Additional macOS Sonoma updates include:

• Streamlined PDFs: Enhanced PDF functionality allows for quick form-filling with AutoFill, and smart recipient recommendations.

• Inline PDFs in Notes: Notes now displays PDFs and document scans in full width, and with linked notes, users can quickly connect related notes like recipes or homework.

• Siri: Users have the ability to simply say “Siri” to activate Siri.

• Passwords: Users can now create a group to share a set of passwords. Everyone in a group can add and edit passwords to keep them up to date, and since sharing is through iCloud Keychain, it’s end-to-end encrypted. Additionally, the one-time verification codes received in Mail will now autofill in Safari, making it easy to securely log in without leaving the browser.

• Messages: Users can connect with those closest to them with an all-new stickers experience, enhancements to features like search, reply, groups, and syncing with Messages in iCloud.

• Reminders: Intelligent grocery lists in Reminders streamline weekly trips to the store. Additionally, users can organize lists into sections and arrange them horizontally using a new column view.

• Keyboard: An all-new autocorrect makes corrections more accurate and easier to fix. Inline completions help users quickly finish sentences, while Dictation brings accuracy improvements through next-level speech recognition.

• Privacy and Safety: Communication Safety expands to AirDrop, the Photos picker, incoming calls, and FaceTime messages, further broadening protections for children. Additionally, Sensitive Content Warning prevents unexpected exposure to sensitive images and videos in AirDrop and Messages, incoming calls, and FaceTime messages, while giving the user the option to block the contact or seek further resources for help.

Availability

The developer beta of macOS Sonoma is available through the Apple Developer Program at developer.apple.com starting today, and a public beta will be available through the Apple Beta Software Program next month at beta.apple.com. The release will be available as a free software update this fall. For more information, visit apple.com/macos/sonoma-preview. Features are subject to change. Some features may not be available in all regions, all languages, or on all devices. For more information about availability, visit apple.com.

MacDailyNews Take: Not a giant update, but still nice, including Safari web apps, Game Mode, and, finally, a secure way for users to share passwords!

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]]> Apple previews macOS Sonoma https://www.latest-apple-news.com/2023/06/05/apple-previews-macos-sonoma-2/ Mon, 05 Jun 2023 21:39:57 +0000 https://macdailynews.com/?p=263357 Apple today previewed macOS Sonoma, the latest version of the world’s most advanced desktop operating system, bringing a rich…

The post Apple previews macOS Sonoma appeared first on MacDailyNews. macOS Sonoma makes the Mac experience better than ever — from more ways to personalize with widgets, to big updates to Safari and video conferencing, along with exciting new game titles.

macOS Sonoma makes the Mac experience better than ever — from more ways to personalize with widgets, to big updates to Safari and video conferencing, along with exciting new game titles.

Apple today previewed macOS Sonoma, the latest version of the world’s most advanced desktop operating system, bringing a rich set of features that elevate the Mac experience. Stunning screen savers and powerful widgets unlock an entirely new way to personalize. Users can now place widgets right on the desktop, interact with them with just a click, and through the magic of Continuity, access the extensive ecosystem of iPhone widgets on their Mac. In macOS Sonoma, video conferencing also gets more engaging with great new features to help users present remotely, like Presenter Overlay, which places a presenter on top of the content being shared, and Reactions, which enables fun gesture-triggered video effects in cinematic quality. Significant updates come to Safari, taking the web experience to the next level. Profiles keeps browsing separate between multiple topics or projects, and web apps provide faster access to favorite sites. And gaming gets even better, with the introduction of Game Mode, exciting new titles, and a new game porting toolkit that makes it even easier for developers to bring more games to Mac.

“macOS is the heart of the Mac, and with Sonoma, we’re making it even more delightful and productive to use,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, in a statement. “We think users are going to love macOS Sonoma and the new ways it enables them to personalize with widgets and stunning new screen savers, see new levels of gaming performance, and gain powerful productivity for video conferencing and browsing with Safari.”

Get More Done with Interactive Widgets

Widgets are now even more powerful and personal on Mac. Users can place widgets right on the desktop and conveniently access the widget gallery to find the ones they know and love. Widgets blend seamlessly with the wallpaper while users work in apps, so they can stay focused on the task at hand. Through the magic of Continuity, users can also enjoy the vast ecosystem of iPhone widgets on their Mac. And widgets become interactive, allowing users to check off reminders, play or pause media, access home controls, and perform various tasks from their Mac, all directly from the desktop.

Users can personalize their desktop with widgets, and with Continuity, they can even add widgets from their iPhone right on their Mac.
Users can personalize their desktop with widgets, and with Continuity, they can even add widgets from their iPhone right on their Mac.

Smarter Video Conferencing Experiences

macOS Sonoma brings enhanced video conferencing features that enable users to present and share their work more effectively within any video conferencing app. Presenter Overlay, a new video effect, elevates a user’s presence by displaying them on top of the content they are sharing. Additionally, Reactions allow users to share how they feel by seamlessly adding balloons, confetti, hearts, and more into the video, which can also be triggered with a hand gesture. The improved Screen Sharing picker simplifies the process of sharing apps during video calls. Users can simply click the green button in the top-left corner of an app and choose to share it in the call, allowing for easy content sharing from their currently open windows.

Major Updates to Safari

Safari, the world’s fastest browser, introduces new features to enhance the browsing experience for Mac users. This year brings a significant update to Private Browsing, which provides even greater protection during browsing both from trackers and from people who might have access to the user’s device. Advanced tracking and fingerprinting protections in Private Browsing go even further to help prevent websites from tracking or identifying the user. Private Browsing windows also lock when users are not using them, allowing them to keep tabs open even when they step away from their device.

Additionally, profiles help users stay organized by offering a way to separate browsing between topics, while also keeping cookies, history, extensions, Tab Groups, and Favorites separate. Users can sign in to the same site with both work and personal accounts — and quickly switch between them — ensuring a smooth browsing experience. Safari also enables the creation of web apps that behave like normal apps, putting users’ favorite sites at their fingertips and providing a simplified toolbar for an app-like experience.

With web apps on Mac, it’s now possible to create an app-like experience for any website, complete with an icon in the Dock for faster access, and a simplified toolbar for easier browsing.
With web apps on Mac, it’s now possible to create an app-like experience for any website, complete with an icon in the Dock for faster access, and a simplified toolbar for easier browsing.

Stunning New Screen Savers

macOS Sonoma brings stunning screen savers featuring slow-motion videos of various locations worldwide, such as the sweeping skyline of Hong Kong, the sandstone buttes of Monument Valley in Arizona, and the rolling hills of Sonoma in Northern California. This rich graphical and photographic imagery enhances the Mac experience by shuffling through Landscape, Earth, Underwater, or Cityscape themes. The login experience is now repositioned at the bottom of the screen, making space for the new screen savers, which seamlessly transition into the desktop.

Games on Mac Get Even Better

With the power of Apple silicon, users experience incredible graphics performance on every Mac. And now, tens of millions of Macs with Apple silicon can run demanding games with great performance, long battery life, and breathtaking visuals. Developers continue to take advantage of Metal 3, bringing exciting new titles to Mac, including DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT, Stray, Fort Solis, World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, HUMANKIND, Resident Evil Village: Winters’ Expansion, The Medium, ELEX II, Firmament, SnowRunner, Disney Dreamlight Valley, No Man’s Sky, Dragonheir: Silent Gods, and Layers of Fear. To make it easier to port games from other platforms to Mac, Metal introduces a new game porting toolkit, eliminating months of upfront work and enabling developers to see how well their existing game could run on Mac in just a few days. It also dramatically simplifies the process of converting the game’s shaders and graphics code to take full advantage of Apple silicon performance, significantly reducing the total development time.

macOS Sonoma also introduces Game Mode, giving players an edge when performance is measured in precious milliseconds. Game Mode delivers an optimized gaming experience with smoother and more consistent frame rates, by ensuring games get the highest priority on the CPU and GPU. Game Mode also makes gaming on Mac even more immersive — dramatically lowering audio latency with AirPods, and significantly reducing input latency with popular game controllers like those for Xbox and PlayStation by doubling the Bluetooth sampling rate. Game Mode works with any game, including all of the recent and upcoming Mac games.

Enhancing Hybrid and Remote Pro Workflows

Leveraging the advanced media engine in Apple silicon, macOS Sonoma brings a new high performance mode to the Screen Sharing app. Enabling incredibly responsive remote access to hybrid in-studio and remote pro workflows, it delivers low-latency audio, high frame rates, and supports up to two virtual displays. This mode empowers pros to securely access their content creation workflows from anywhere — whether editing in Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve, or animating complex 3D assets in Maya. And with support for reference color, it also enables remote color workflows that traditionally could not be performed without dedicated hardware and specialized software.

Enhanced Accessibility Features

macOS Sonoma introduces a range of accessibility features that make Mac even more customizable for all users. For customers with hearing disabilities, Made for iPhone hearing devices can connect to their Mac for calls and media consumption,1 while users who are nonspeaking can use Live Speech to type and vocalize their thoughts during calls and conversations. For users with physical and motor disabilities, phonetic suggestions appear when dictating and editing text with Voice Control on Mac. To assist users with cognitive disabilities, animated images like GIFs can be automatically paused in Messages and Safari. Additionally, users who are blind or have low vision can easily customize text size across Mac apps, and utilize Xcode with VoiceOver, Apple’s industry-leading screen reader.

Additional macOS Sonoma updates include:

• Streamlined PDFs: Enhanced PDF functionality allows for quick form-filling with AutoFill, and smart recipient recommendations.

• Inline PDFs in Notes: Notes now displays PDFs and document scans in full width, and with linked notes, users can quickly connect related notes like recipes or homework.

• Siri: Users have the ability to simply say “Siri” to activate Siri.

• Passwords: Users can now create a group to share a set of passwords. Everyone in a group can add and edit passwords to keep them up to date, and since sharing is through iCloud Keychain, it’s end-to-end encrypted. Additionally, the one-time verification codes received in Mail will now autofill in Safari, making it easy to securely log in without leaving the browser.

• Messages: Users can connect with those closest to them with an all-new stickers experience, enhancements to features like search, reply, groups, and syncing with Messages in iCloud.

• Reminders: Intelligent grocery lists in Reminders streamline weekly trips to the store. Additionally, users can organize lists into sections and arrange them horizontally using a new column view.

• Keyboard: An all-new autocorrect makes corrections more accurate and easier to fix. Inline completions help users quickly finish sentences, while Dictation brings accuracy improvements through next-level speech recognition.

• Privacy and Safety: Communication Safety expands to AirDrop, the Photos picker, incoming calls, and FaceTime messages, further broadening protections for children. Additionally, Sensitive Content Warning prevents unexpected exposure to sensitive images and videos in AirDrop and Messages, incoming calls, and FaceTime messages, while giving the user the option to block the contact or seek further resources for help.

Availability

The developer beta of macOS Sonoma is available through the Apple Developer Program at developer.apple.com starting today, and a public beta will be available through the Apple Beta Software Program next month at beta.apple.com. The release will be available as a free software update this fall. For more information, visit apple.com/macos/sonoma-preview. Features are subject to change. Some features may not be available in all regions, all languages, or on all devices. For more information about availability, visit apple.com.

MacDailyNews Take: Not a giant update, but still nice, including Safari web apps, Game Mode, and, finally, a secure way for users to share passwords!

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The post Apple previews macOS Sonoma appeared first on MacDailyNews.

]]> Polestar 2’s latest OTA update adds YouTube, plus upgrades to Range Assist and Apple CarPlay https://www.latest-apple-news.com/2023/06/01/polestar-2s-latest-ota-update-adds-youtube-plus-upgrades-to-range-assist-and-apple-carplay/ Thu, 01 Jun 2023 11:24:45 +0000 https://9to5mac.com/2023/06/01/polestar-2-ota-update-adds-youtube-upgrades-range-assist-apple-carplay/

This morning, Polestar began rolling out over-the-air software update P2.9 to Polestar 2 drivers around the globe. The update features the addition of YouTube integration, plus enhancements to both Range Assist and Apple CarPlay functions.

more…

The post Polestar 2’s latest OTA update adds YouTube, plus upgrades to Range Assist and Apple CarPlay appeared first on 9to5Mac.

]]> Apple’s Latest Ad Campaign Takes a Humorous Look at Health Data Privacy https://www.latest-apple-news.com/2023/05/24/apples-latest-ad-campaign-takes-a-humorous-look-at-health-data-privacy/ Wed, 24 May 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/24/apple-health-data-privacy-ad-campaign/

The new campaign centers around the fact that with people knowingly and unknowingly sharing more and more about themselves online, protection of private health information has become an increasingly important issue. With Apple's built-in privacy protections across its devices and services, the company is seeking to reassure users that their health data remains secure within Apple's ecosystem.

Apple cites four pillars of privacy that apply both generally at Apple and specifically regarding health data:

- Data minimization: Only the bare minimum of health data is ever transmitted to Apple's servers, reassuring users that the vast majority of the data can not be compromised.

- On-device processing: Related to the data minimization pillar, Apple has intentionally built its products and services to perform as much data processing as possible directly on users' devices, limiting the data that needs to be sent to Apple in the first place. For example, your health highlights and trends displayed in the Health app on your iPhone are all processed on your device, which means Apple can't see them even if it wanted to.


- Transparency and control: Apple says that data is only shared with explicit user permission, and the company has built clear permission prompts to give you fine-grained control over what health data you share with whom, as well as provide reminders about the data you are sharing. With HealthKit, third-party developers seeking to access your health data must provide rationale for needing that access, must include a privacy policy, and may not use your health data for advertising purposes or sell it. Any health data these apps receive via HealthKit goes directly to the apps and does not let Apple see it as an intermediary.

- Security: All health data is encrypted on device, with the exception of Medical ID data that can be displayed on your ‌iPhone‌'s Lock Screen to assist first responders and others who may need to assist you in an emergency. For users have turned on two-factor authentication and a device passcode, health data transmitted via iCloud is end-to-end encrypted, meaning that only you can decrypt it with a device that's also logged in to your account, and Apple can't see it unless you explicitly choose to allow it.

Apple's new health privacy ad campaign will be running in 24 regions around the world across broadcast media, social, and billboards this summer. The company has also published a white paper with an overview of how the Health app and HealthKit protect your privacy.
Tag: Apple Ads

This article, "Apple's Latest Ad Campaign Takes a Humorous Look at Health Data Privacy" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums
 Apple is launching a new ad campaign today featuring the company’s emphasis on health data privacy, headlined by a humorous new commercial voiced by actress and comedian Jane Lynch.

The new campaign centers around the fact that with people knowingly and unknowingly sharing more and more about themselves online, protection of private health information has become an increasingly important issue. With Apple’s built-in privacy protections across its devices and services, the company is seeking to reassure users that their health data remains secure within Apple’s ecosystem.

Apple cites four pillars of privacy that apply both generally at Apple and specifically regarding health data:

– Data minimization: Only the bare minimum of health data is ever transmitted to Apple’s servers, reassuring users that the vast majority of the data can not be compromised.

– On-device processing: Related to the data minimization pillar, Apple has intentionally built its products and services to perform as much data processing as possible directly on users’ devices, limiting the data that needs to be sent to Apple in the first place. For example, your health highlights and trends displayed in the Health app on your iPhone are all processed on your device, which means Apple can’t see them even if it wanted to.



– Transparency and control: Apple says that data is only shared with explicit user permission, and the company has built clear permission prompts to give you fine-grained control over what health data you share with whom, as well as provide reminders about the data you are sharing. With HealthKit, third-party developers seeking to access your health data must provide rationale for needing that access, must include a privacy policy, and may not use your health data for advertising purposes or sell it. Any health data these apps receive via HealthKit goes directly to the apps and does not let Apple see it as an intermediary.

– Security: All health data is encrypted on device, with the exception of Medical ID data that can be displayed on your ‌iPhone‌’s Lock Screen to assist first responders and others who may need to assist you in an emergency. For users have turned on two-factor authentication and a device passcode, health data transmitted via iCloud is end-to-end encrypted, meaning that only you can decrypt it with a device that’s also logged in to your account, and Apple can’t see it unless you explicitly choose to allow it.

Apple’s new health privacy ad campaign will be running in 24 regions around the world across broadcast media, social, and billboards this summer. The company has also published a white paper with an overview of how the Health app and HealthKit protect your privacy.

Tag: Apple Ads

This article, "Apple's Latest Ad Campaign Takes a Humorous Look at Health Data Privacy" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

]]> Give Mom some flowers & chocolates with Apple Pay discounts for Mother’s Day https://www.latest-apple-news.com/2023/05/04/give-mom-some-flowers-chocolates-with-apple-pay-discounts-for-mothers-day/ Thu, 04 May 2023 18:32:34 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/05/04/give-mom-some-flowers-chocolates-with-apple-pay-discounts-for-mothers-day?utm_medium=rss Apple’s annual Mother’s Day promotion for Apple Pay users is underway to assist users in saving money for purchasing flowers, chocolates, and other personalized gifts.

Apple runs its annual Mother's Day discountsApple runs its annual Mother’s Day discounts

The company has started emailing customers about its partnerships with various companies to offer discounts for Apple Pay users. This year’s list includes four companies with product offerings perfect for the occasion.

Read more…

]]> Give Mom some flowers & chocolates with Apple Pay discounts for Mother’s Day https://www.latest-apple-news.com/2023/05/04/give-mom-some-flowers-chocolates-with-apple-pay-discounts-for-mothers-day-2/ Thu, 04 May 2023 18:32:34 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/05/04/give-mom-some-flowers-chocolates-with-apple-pay-discounts-for-mothers-day?utm_medium=rss Apple’s annual Mother’s Day promotion for Apple Pay users is underway to assist users in saving money for purchasing flowers, chocolates, and other personalized gifts.

Apple runs its annual Mother's Day discountsApple runs its annual Mother’s Day discounts

The company has started emailing customers about its partnerships with various companies to offer discounts for Apple Pay users. This year’s list includes four companies with product offerings perfect for the occasion.

Read more…

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