The new WiiM Sound smart speaker isn't just a HomePod 2 lookalike -- it could be a major Apple competitor. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has released Bluetooth 6.1 as part of its new bi-annual update schedule. The update introduces Randomized Resolvable Private Address (RPA), a feature designed to enhance both privacy and power efficiency. This new feature makes tracking Bluetooth devices a lot more difficult because it randomizes the timing of device address changes, instead of just using predictable intervals. It also offloads address change operations to the controller device, which should help extend the battery life of the accessory device. The specification follows Bluetooth 6.0, which arrived in September 2024. That update brought Channel Sounding for centimeter-level location accuracy, lower latency, and faster scanning capabilities, all of which could theoretically enhance the iPhone's Precision Finding feature. For…

Apple is set to further its self-reliance in chip manufacturing by developing its own Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chips. This strategic move will reduce the company’s dependence on third-party suppliers like Broadcom, starting from next year. Mark Gurman for Bloomberg News: ‎ The chip, code-named Proxima, has been in development for several years and is now slated to go into the first products in 2025, according to people familiar with the matter. Like Apple’s other in-house chips, Proxima will be produced by partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. The transition is separate from Apple’s highly anticipated shift from Qualcomm Inc. cellular modems — details of which Bloomberg News reported last week — but the two parts will eventually work together. Apple’s goal…

Edifier speakers ideally suited to clear, moderate-volume sound at close quarters find their way into David Snow's M4 Pro MacBook setup. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Apple is set to take another step towards self-reliance with the iPhone 17 and other late 2025 devices. The company is developing its own Wi-Fi 7 chips to replace Broadcom parts, according to TF International Securities’ analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. While Apple has been working on replacing Qualcomm’s 5G modems with its own Apple Silicon designs, Kuo says that the company will also be dropping Broadcom’s Wi-Fi processors in favor of its own solution, starting with the iPhone 17. Ming-Chi Kuo via X: ‎ Broadcom currently supplies over 300 million Wi-Fi+BT chips (hereafter referred to as Wi-Fi chips) per year to Apple. However, Apple will rapidly reduce its reliance on Broadcom. With new products in 2H25 (e.g., iPhone 17), Apple plans…

Accidentally disabled Bluetooth on your Mac and can't use your mouse? Use your keyboard to turn on Bluetooth on your Mac without a mouse. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)