Macworld Even for what is reputedly a somewhat smaller-than-usual annual update, iOS 17 still brings with it a host of new features. As the beta process begins, there’s plenty to investigate and try out ahead of the software’s full release this fall. But as I perused the capabilities that are part of this latest upgrade, something interesting struck me: an older technology appears to be having its moment in the sun, as Apple embraces its utility in a bunch of new ways. That’s great not only because it means new features, but also because–as it’s something that’s been around for a while–those new features will be available on any iPhone that runs iOS 17. I speak, of course, of the…

Macworld I have spent the last couple of decades writing about new features in Apple’s operating systems. Tens of thousands of words about new items, large and small, that enhance the experience of using a Mac, iPhone, iPad, and other Apple devices. And yet this past weekend, I was reminded that most users simply don’t notice new features, even when they’ve been available for years. If you’re reading this column right now, you’re one of the most well-educated people on the planet about Apple stuff. But your friends, family, co-workers, and acquaintances? They might never know about flashy new operating-system features unless you personally show them off. It’s one of Apple’s most vexing problems: keeping devices relatively simple while also…

Macworld The iPhone 15 Pro this year is going to be powered by the new A17 system-on-chip, which should be the first large-scale consumer chip in the world to be made on a 3nm N3B manufacturing process. That means a lot more logic and cache in the same size chip, and better power efficiency at the same performance level as current 5nm iPhone chips. We expect big things from the A17. A new rumor from a Weibo user proclaiming to be an experienced integrated circuits developer suggests that Apple is going to switch production of the A17 at some time next year from TSMC’s N3B process to the upcoming N3E process. The N5E process is estimated to have better costs…

Macworld I have spent the last couple of decades writing about new features in Apple’s operating systems. Tens of thousands of words about new items, large and small, that enhance the experience of using a Mac, iPhone, iPad, and other Apple devices. And yet this past weekend, I was reminded that most users simply don’t notice new features, even when they’ve been available for years. If you’re reading this column right now, you’re one of the most well-educated people on the planet about Apple stuff. But your friends, family, co-workers, and acquaintances? They might never know about flashy new operating-system features unless you personally show them off. It’s one of Apple’s most vexing problems: keeping devices relatively simple while also…

Apple has been researching the use of haptics in the Siri Remote that could guide future users silently and invisibly toward content on the device they want to control.If you have an Apple TV set with a Siri Remote, you don't need haptic feedback. Assuming you can find the remote, and you have it facing the right away around, then you just press a button and you know it works when your Apple TV reacts.But sometimes it's less clear that a device has responded to your pressing on a remote control, or tapping on an iPhone app. That may be because of what you're trying to control, such as a speaker that has no visual display. Read more...

Apple has been researching the use of haptics in the Siri Remote that could guide future users silently and invisibly toward content on the device they want to control.If you have an Apple TV set with a Siri Remote, you don't need haptic feedback. Assuming you can find the remote, and you have it facing the right away around, then you just press a button and you know it works when your Apple TV reacts.But sometimes it's less clear that a device has responded to your pressing on a remote control, or tapping on an iPhone app. That may be because of what you're trying to control, such as a speaker that has no visual display. Read more...