This episode of the Maccast is brought to you by ZocDoc. More on them later in the show.
News
2023 Apple’s focus on the headset
Year has started off with a bunch of Apple AR / VR headset rumors, some conflicting info.
We have “The Information"
Dial, like digital crown, for “scrolling” between AR / VR modes
Battery pack you wear on your waist that only lasts 2 hours
Seems “awkward” and sucky.
A design that uses aluminum, glass, and carbon fiber to reduce its size and weight.
Support hand gestures and voice recognition for controls (likely no hand controllers)
Though Apple has tested “thimble” and “wand” controllers
Speakers in the headband, but may also use AirPods and the H2 chip for “privacy”
Says the H2 chip “secretly” has a low-latency transmission mode
Special alternate headband for developers to hook up to a Mac
Headbands were swappable, but have electronics, like speakers and batteries, so Apple may have abandoned that idea.
4K micro-LED displays for each eye
Magnetically attachable custom prescription lenses for glasses-wearers.
Outside screen that can display the wearers facial expressions (creepy mode)
Uses an M2 processor and “dozens” of cameras and sensors
Says it won’t have a gaming focus as Apple sees “video conferencing” as the “killer” app
Really?!! for a USD $3K device?
Also 3D tabletop maps drug off your Mac screen
Name might be “Reality Pro”
We’ve heard the OS that powers the headset might be called xrOS or Reality OS
Apple just launched Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Device apps on the Windows Store
Prior to that they had posted “preview” versions and developers found references in the code on the Windows apps to both “ xrOS” and “Reality OS”
Kuo thinks development delays have pushed the release back to the 2rd or 3rd quarter of this year.
Specifically with drop testing and software dev tools
Announcement at a Spring event or maybe reserved for WWDC
Gurman thinks a Spring announcement of the device followed by additional details and software development tools a WWDC
Apple has had to shift some resources internally to focus on getting the headset launched. Could impact other projects and timelines.
Specifically Gurman claims the next OS updates, like iOS 17 and macOS 14
2023 might be lackluster for upgrades
More and more we’re seeing signs that this year will be pretty tame for Apple hardware outside possibly that new headset
Analysts like Mark Gurman and indicating that the iPad will see minor enhancements and refreshes this year
Spec bumps might be pretty much it until 2024
The plans look pretty much the same for this years 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro updates
M2 Pro and M2 Max chips bringing slight performance increases
And to make it worse… DigiTimes claims that the original “early 2023” release dat might be delayed.
Gurman says the new Mac Pro will have the same design as the current model, but not have expandable memory (due to Apple Silicon’s unified memory architecture)
The case will have two spare SSD slots, slots for graphics cards, media, and networking
Updates for the 24-inch iMac are not expected until the M3, so that likely means nothing this year.
One small hope is there might be a 15-inch update to the MacBook Air, but a rumored 12-inch design may not happen
Design of the 15 would be similar to the 13-inch design and it would offer M2 and M2 Pro chip options
Ming-Chi Kuo also said that the next gen updates for AirPods Max and AirPods likely won’t be here until the second half of 2024 or the first half of 2025
The AirPods will be Apple’s most affordable version yet though, coming in at USD $99
Larger iPad Pro may no longer be
According to display analyst Ross Young Apple was exploring the idea of a larger 14.1 iPad Pro, but they seem to have shelved the idea for now.
They still may have slightly larger iPad Pro models slated for 2024
11.1 inch and 13 inch models with OLED displays in fact. Physical sizes would probably remain the same with the bezels being tightened up to make room for the extra screen.
Young also thinks Apple may bring OLED to a 13-inch MacBook Air in 2024 and Ming-Chi Kuo mentioned this week that he believes Apple will have OLED in a MacBook in 2024 though didn’t specify which model
Qi2 developed with Apple’s help
The Wireless Power Consortium has announced Qi2 is coming in 2023 and that they’ve been working with Apple to develop the next gen of wireless charging based on MagSafe
The Qi2 tech for perfectly aligning your device to the wireless charger is called, “Magnetic Power Profile” and is compatible with MagSafe
Getting a better alignment gives you improving energy efficiency and faster charging
Dynamic Island sinking after 15
Mark Gurman says all iPhone 15 models will feature the Dynamic Island
But here’s the odd thing about this move… there have been reports this week from sites like “The Elec” that Apple plans to leave the island with the release of th iPhone 16 in 2024
They claim Apple will move to under display tech for the TrueDepth camera system but sill leave a hole punch for the camera
Could start with just the Pro models so maybe the Island gets one more year on the non-Pos before sinking?
Will also move to USB-C
Have solid state haptic buttons and a titanium frame (at least on Pro models)
This has been said and re-iterated by Ming-Chi Kuo as well
They would use additional Taptic Engines to simulate that “clicky” feel
Also reports that the Pro models could have a titanium frame, instead of stainless steel.
Reports on next iPhone pricing
A Twitter leaker with a somewhat reliable track record, “Yeux1122”, said Apple is considering a price cut on the iPhone 15 Plus (and likely iPhone 15) models.
Reason is the extremely poor sales performance of the iPhone 14 Plus
Then from the Chinese site Weibo… a rumor that Apple want to increase the price of the iPhone 15 Pro models to widen the gap with the iPhone 15 Plus
Ming-Chi Kuo says that the iPhone SE 4 has now been officially cancelled by Apple
Thought Apple would into it’s 5G modem on that device. Now says Apple will continue to use Qualcomm for 5G chips through 2024
Bloomberg says Apple has struggled with the 5G modem efforts and has pushed back release until at least late 2024
Apple also wants to develop a wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, hopefully by 2025 with the ultimate goal of a single chip for cellular, wi-fi, and Bluetooth.
Apple plans own displays
A report from Bloomberg claims Apple is looking to develop their own display designs.
They hope to have a microLED display for “high-end” Apple Watches by 2024 or 2025
The idea would be to start with Apple Watch and expand to other device displays
microLED would offer more brightness and color saturation with better viewing angles. The report describes people who seen the displays as saying the images look like they are “painted on top of the glass”
Apple has had hopes for transitioning to microLED displays from OLED for years but fought with technical challenges and the high costs of manufacturing
Like it does with Apple Silicon Apple would design displays and manufacturing techniques in-house but still be reliant on manufacturing partners for display production
9to5 Mac did a great job reminding us this is a subtle change, not a massive one
Apple already “specs” is displays and works with manufacturing partners to have them made
So they are not getting into manufacturing their own displays
But instead of just saying hey Samsung, design a build us a custom display meeting these features and specs… Apple will likely be giving a full detailed design spec and have it made.
They will also provide the manufacturing processes to use.
Interestingly… one of Apple’s main display providers, BOE, is looking to build a massive new manufacturing facility in Vietnam and Ming-Chi Kuo recently mentioned that BOE could become Apple largest iPhone display manufacturer by 2024
The new BOE OLED facility is estimated to cost around $250 million and is expected to be completed by 2025
Sponsor: Zocdoc
Zocdoc
You’ve been stewing about a health problem you have. You almost resort to texting your group chat to get your friends’ opinions.
You’re extremely unlikely to find quality medical advice in your group chat. But, you can find it from a doctor on Zocdoc.
Thousands of medical professionals on Zocdoc are there to help you. They listen like a friend, and give you the expert-care you need.
No more doctor roulette or scouring the internet for questionable reviews. With Zocdoc you have a trusted guide to connect you to your favorite doctor you haven’t met yet.
Millions of people use Zocdoc’s free app to find and book a doctor in their neighborhood who is patient reviewed and fits their needs and schedule just right.
Go to Zocdoc dot com slash MACCAST and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book top-rated doctor today. Many are available within 24 hours.
That’s Z-O-C-D-O-C dot com slash MACCAST. Zocdoc dot come slash MACCAST.
Sponsor: SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe
Did you know that property crimes like burglaries and package thefts spike over the winter?
That’s why now is the best time to secure your home with award-winning home security. SimpliSafe is the home security system I recommend to everybody.
Make it your resolution to start the New Year with greater peace of mind and safety for you and your family.
Here’s why I love it:
The customizability and flexibility of their system. Maybe you want to start off with one the their systems. It has every thing you need to get set-up quickly and easily. That’s what I did.
Or you can completely customize a system complete with all the sensors and coverage you need to blanket your whole home in security.
Either way set-up and installation will be easy and as your needs grow or change your SimpliSafe system and grow with you. Helped me when I moved and needed extra sensors and cameras.
SimpliSafe was named the “Best Home Security System of 2022” by US News & World Report – a third year in a row.
In an emergency, 24/7 professional monitoring agents use Fast Protect™ Technology, exclusively from SimpliSafe, to capture critical evidence and verify the threat is real, so you can get priority police response.
SimpliSafe is whole home security, with advanced sensors for every room, window and door. HD security cameras for inside and out. Smarter ways to detect motion that alert you only when a threat is real. And even hazard sensors that detect fires, floods, and other threats to your home.
24/7 Professional Monitoring service costs under $1/day, less than half the price of ADT’s traditional, professionally installed system.
With the top-rated SimpliSafe app, stay in complete control of your system. Anytime. Anywhere. Arm or disarm, unlock for a guest, access your cameras, or adjust system settings.
Customize the perfect system for your home in just a few minutes at SIMPLISAFE dot com slash maccast.
Go today and claim a free indoor security camera plus 20% off your order with Interactive Monitoring.
That’s SIMPLISAFE dot com slash maccast. There’s no safe like SimpliSafe.
Feedback, commentary, opinions
Apple Music Sing the answer
We’ve had some back and forth with speculation on how this new feature works
I think Apple is leveraging their AI and machine learning tech inside Apple silicon
Others of you think they might be leveraging the cloud and their access to source tracks. Or possibly processing separate tracks and using those in the cloud.
Apple told them the tech uses, “an on-device machine learning algorithm that processes the music in real time” and that “the algorithm isolates the vocals from the rest of the song”
A “Forbes” piece also noted that the processing is done “on-device”.
The piece also says Apple used their experience in noise-cancellation for tools like FaceTime to hep develop the technology used in Sing.
Told you about the high end plugin from iZotope
Dan told me about an App and cloud based service called [Moises.ai](https://moises.ai)
Let’s you upload audio tracks from your Music Library, device, or a URL and will process and separate not just the vocals, but drums, bass, other tracks and let you mix them how you want
Can also adjust tempo and key.
New “beta” feature shows the chord progressions too.
I tried it, which you can do for free (limited functionality), and it’s pretty impressive.
Do need to send the tracks to the cloud for processing and if you want advanced features it’s a USD $3.99/ mo or $39.99/yr subscription.
Starting with a clean slate, or desktop
A question came up in the Maccast Patreon Slack…
A listener noted that when starting up their Mac they have a lot of apps that are already open… Slack, Chrome, Messenger, Maps, etc…
None of these apps are part of the System Settings > General > Login Items > Open At Login…
What’s happening is the Mac will startup with any apps you had open from before you shutdown your Mac.
This is “default” behavior.
But, if you look at the dialog that appears before you Shutdown your Mac you’ll see a checkbox. “Reopen windows when logging back in”.
This is a toggle that controls this behavior. Just make sure it’s unchecked if you do NOT want your previously open apps reopening after your reboot your Mac.
A similar behavior is within apps. You can have any previously opened windows re-open the next time you open the app (or not depending)
This setting is in System Settings > Desktop & Dock. There is a “Close windows when quitting an application” toggle. If it’s on the when you close your apps all open windows will also be closed.
If you one time want to reverse this setting when quitting an app hold down the Option key while quitting. This will change the “Quit” to “Quit and Keep Windows” or “Quit and Close Windows” depending on your default setting
Another trick within the Finder or an app is to hold the Option key while click the close window icon. This will close all Windows within that app.
Thing of the Moment: NOCO Boost Plus
So I’ve moved to a place where it’s a bit more remote and there are icy roads and snow storms
As part of our winter plan I prepped “Emergency Kits” for all our vehicles.
Basically a box with water, flashlights, blankets, basic first-aid kit, non-perishable food, and these Lithium Battery jump starters
