Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming two weeks after the release of the first betas following the WWDC keynote event. Registered developers are able to opt into the betas by opening up the Settings app, going to the Software Update section, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option, and toggling on the iOS 16 Developer Beta. Note that an Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta. ‌iOS 17‌ is a major update that introduces a customized look for each person that calls, with the person who places the call able to customize their look. Live voicemails…

When Apple announced Vision Pro at WWDC, the company promised to make a robust set of tools available for developers. That day has already arrived, with Apple announcing in a press release that developer tools for Vision Pro are now available, starting with the visionOS SDK. more… The post Apple releases visionOS SDK for creating Vision Pro apps, dev kit applications opening soon appeared first on 9to5Mac.

Google today launched a humorous "BestPhonesForever" ad campaign that pits the latest Pixel smartphones against the iPhone, painting the ‌iPhone‌ as an old, outdated phone that was once great, but can no longer keep up with the younger smartphones (via 9to5Google). There are a series of five ads. In "Plateau," the ‌iPhone‌ laments being 14 years old and unable to keep up with Pixel features like 30x zoom, astrophotography, and AI. The Pixel smartphone comforts the ‌iPhone‌ by mentioning the ‌iPhone‌'s blue bubbles. "The bubbles! The bubbles! Is all I have to show for all my years on earth the color of a bubble? I mean, millions of people have waited in line for me," bemoans the ‌iPhone‌. Eventually, the…

Apple today released watchOS 9.5.2, a minor bug fix update for the Apple Watch. watchOS 9.5.1 is a free software update that comes three weeks after the launch of watchOS 9.5.1, another bug fix update. watchOS 9.5.2 can be downloaded for free through the Apple Watch app on the iPhone by opening it up and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌iPhone‌‌‌‌‌‌‌. According to Apple's release notes for the update, it includes important security fixes and it is recommended that all users download the software. Apple has…

The Japanese government is looking to force Apple to allow third-party app stores for iPhone and, presumably, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and even Apple Vision when it hits the market. The Japan Times: A government panel Friday drew up a set of regulations aimed at opening up the smartphone app stores of U.S. technology giants Apple and Google to competition. The two companies dominating the smartphone operating system market will be obliged to allow their users to download apps by using services other than their own app stores. The government hopes that the move will spur competition and lead to app price drops. MacDailyNews Take: The average prices for apps in the Apple App Store as of May 2023…

Apple today announced it is officially rolling out a new ad format for the App Store. The new Today tab format is more compact than the previous full-height card design but is viewable immediately upon opening the tab on the iPhone. The previous design required the user to scroll down the page to see it. A nonsponsored slot continues to take the first position, but the ad placement is now always above the fold. The new format also allows Apple to make it easier for advertisers to submit campaigns and get approved more quickly. more… The post iPhone App Store rolling out new ad format, visible on Today tab without scrolling appeared first on 9to5Mac.