A lot of info coming from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman as we move steadily closer to WWDC
Apple’s mixed reality headset and operating system (xrOS) will be the “star” of the show
The apps and what it can do out of the gate will be key to it’s success
Gruman claims Apple is focusing on sports, gaming, wellness, and collaboration apps to entice buyers.
Existing iPad apps will also reportedly be tweaked to work with a 3D interface (virtual iPad?)
Multi-app support and a local “geolocation” feature to auto swap apps for different rooms
App for watching video content (virtual theater) and sports
tvOS 16.5 beta, has an up to quad split screen video mode for sports content.
Dedicates FaceTime and Freeform experiences
Apple working with some existing game developers to adapt their games for the platform.
What they are doing and tweaking might be working according to Twitter leaker Evan Blass
Evan claims one “insider” who has seen the device demoed on more than one occasion has gone from “underwhelmed” to “blown away” by the device.
External battery might support “MagSafe” like connectivity.
With 2-3 hour battery life, I’m seeing a Batman like “utility belt” accessory for all day battery life.
The headset will probably not be available until months after the announcement to give developers time to adapt and build apps for the platform
Also still expects some Mac announcements of new or updated machines, though using M2 (not M3 chips)
Most likely a new 15-inch MacBook Air, but unclear if there will be updates to the M2 13-inch MacBook Air (or MacBook Pro)
Will offer two M2 chip options that have different numbers of cores like the existing 13-inch model according to Ming-Chi Kuo. Likely match the chip options we see in the 13-inch.
Kuo says M3 chip production should start in the second half of 2023.
Other stuff will include looks at: iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 14, and a major watchOS 10 update
One of the features in the big watchOS update may be a new Home Screen layout, including support for app folders, according to one leak
iOS 17 may finally allow side-loading in some countries
According to Gurman this is for Apple to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA)
Apple must comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) by March 2024.
Assume it will work much like Gatekeeper on the Mac, with options for App Store only, Only “signed” (certified apps), or free for all.
What’s next
MacPro and MacStudio updates are likely a ways off along with any Machines to use M3s
The Elec says we can expect updated OLED iPad Pros in 2024 with new thinner “hybrid” OLED displays from LG
Combines rigid OLED glass substrates with flexible OLED thin-film encapsulation (TFE), making the panels thinner than rigid OLED panels
Changes in iPhone Rumors
Solid-state buttons are out due to "unresolved technical issues before mass production," according to the latest information info from Ming-Chi Kuo.
He said they will revert to a “traditional” button design.
That lead to a contradictory rumor from a less reliable source that the “mute” button would be replaced by a multi-function capacitive “action” button.
So power on off / hard restart would use this new button
Also app specific features, like acting as a physical “shutter” button on the camera app (done with volume buttons currently)
A Weibo post claims that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models this year will feature a “frosted” back glass like the current iPhone Pro models
Up to a 6X optical zoom coming in the iPhone 15 Pro Max, according to Ming-Chi Kuo. Thanks to telescoping lens technology. Would remain exclusive to the iPhone Pro Max in the iPhone 16 as well.
HomePod gets smoke detector detection
Apple enabled the sound detection feature they previously announced for the HomePod and HomePod mini
Access from the Home Settings -> Safety & Security screen
You can Choose which HomePods will listen for sounds and which ones can send notifications and to whom.
Some AppleTV+ shows and content are now available to Canal+ subscribers in France for free
About 50 Apple TV+ titles are currently available through the service
Apple Savings Account
Apple continues to expand their relationship with Goldman Sachs
You can now take your Apple Daily Cash and sign up for a high-yield saving plan
It earns a “variable” interest rate, but as of these notes, it was just over 4 percent (4.15%)
The accounts are available in the US and have with no fees, minimum deposits, or minimum balance.
The maximum balance is $250,000 and you can transfer in balances from other linked bank accounts
In your Apple Card on iOS…
Tap the “…” icon and select “Daily Cash”
Tap on “Savings” to sign-up
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Feedback, commentary, opinions
M-Series with external displays
We’ve been discussing ways to support multiple displays on M1 and M2 Macs.
DisplayLink offers the ability to use multiple displays using software and the CPU / GPU
If you want native support for multiple displays you’ll want to go with a Pro or Max M-Series chip, but even there it seems like there is confusion.
George wrote in to note that he has found Apple’s information on display support to be VERY confusing and after looking into it, I agree
One thing George noted was that he connects two displays
An Apple Studio Display on Thunderbolt
An HDMI display (1900 x 1200) - A Dell
Mentions that Apple’s spec recommends running with the lid closed, internal display off ( I could not find any info that supported this)
One thing to note, “Using a hub or daisy-chaining displays doesn't increase the maximum number of displays that you can connect. Connect the display with the highest resolution first.”
With Thunderbolt 3 each display needs to be on it’s own port, if you chain devices on that port the display needs to be the last device in the chain.
Hubbing support was added with Thunderbolt 4.
I still feel that HDMI is not an ideal way to connect an external display, but that is just my preference. I prefer using Thunderbolt (DisplayPort)
I’m able to use two HD external display and my internal display on an M1 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro using two Thunderbolt to DVI adapters.
What happened to GymKit?
Play question from Gary
It was actually called “GymKit” and was announced way back in 2017
I think the issue is Apple requiring certification and to be MFi certified, equipment needing support for NFC, and probably other factors
I’d guess it’s a big reason Apple just moved forward with Apple Fitness. You can take your iPhone or iPad and Apple Watch to the gym and do workouts with Apple trainers and track all that data to the health app without ever needing to connect or share data with the maker of the equipment.
I like you’re idea Gary of possibly a “CarPlay” like experience for gym equipment where your Apple device might simply just “take over” the screen and the experiences, but I’m not sure Apple could get buy in from gym equipment makers. Also… do machine now even have more sophisticated LCDs?
Spatial audio and the Mac
Dan says he’s planning on using his Air Pods Pro with a Mac mini, something he’s not done in a while, for an online class he’s taking.
Wanted to know about how to disable, on a Mac, the spatial audio.
Spatial audio is a feature, on Apple’s Air Pods Pro (and some Beats headphones), that simulates a 360 degree sound field.
It also uses head tracking to adjust sounds so it feels more real.
The effect requires that the audio, video or music, actually support it. Dolby Atmos content or Apple Music encoded for spatial audio for example.
So, chances are the streamed audio for the online training would not support spatial audio.
Still… to control it on your Mac here’s what you do…
Firstly note it’s only supported on Apple Silicon Macs running macOS 12.3 or later
It’s also app dependent, so if you don’t see the settings likely it’s not a supported app
You need to have your AirPods on and connected to your Mac
Click the AirPods icon in the menubar
If you don’t see it… click the Apple menu, select System Settings, then click Control Center in the sidebar. Click the pop-up menu next to Sound on the right, then choose Always show in Menu Bar. (You may need to scroll down.)
Then choose the Spatial audio option you want:
Off
Fixed, turns off the head tracking only
Head Tracked. Full spatial audio with head tracking
