Apple finally confirmed that it will hold an event on September 12 and it’s widely expected that the event will see the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro lineups debut. And you’ll be able to follow along from home.
As has become the norm now Apple will stream the Wonderlust event live on its website, but it’ll also make it available at the same time on its YouTube channel so you can watch on the big screen if you prefer. And now Apple is getting its ducks in a row ahead of the big event.
Less than a week out, Apple has now made its September 12 stream ready to view and all you have to do now is bookmark that page, and wait.
Waiting game
Apple’s event is available via its YouTube channel right now, complete with a premiere date of September 12 at 10:00am PT. You can set a reminder via YouTube and you’ll receive a notification to make sure that you won’t miss the big event.
Apple hasn’t said what the event will be about of course, but it would be the surprise of the year if it isn’t our first look at what will soon be the best iPhones yet. The iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max are all expected to be announced before going up for preorder on Friday, September 15. We then expect the new iPhones to become available to buy on September 22.
These new iPhones won’t be alone of course. We’re also expecting Apple to unveil the new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 as well, while it’s likely new iPhone cases and refreshed Apple Watch bands will also be shown off.
With September 12 edging ever closer, we won’t have to wait too long now. And then attention turns to what comes next — an event that could see new Macs announced in October, for example.
Apple has agreed to buy a new music label, with plans to roll it into the Apple Music Classical library. It’ll also be added to Apple’s in-house music label, Platoon.
That’s according to the label itself, anyway. While Apple is yet to confirm the acquisition, BIS Records announced the move on X, the social network previously known as Twitter.
BIS Records is known for its range of classical music and recently celebrated its 50th birthday.
A half-century celebration
The record label also shared news of the buyout on its website, with founder Robert von Bahr saying that he is “immensely proud of what our small team of people has accomplished during this half-century.”
“We thought long and hard on how to maintain and build upon our prestigious history and looked for a partner who would further our mission, as well as an increased global platform to bring classical music to new audiences all over the world,” the note reads. “Apple, with its own storied history of innovation and love of music, is the ideal home to usher in the next era of classical and has shown true commitment towards building a future in which classical music and technology work in harmony. It is my vision and my sincerest dream that we are all a part of this future.”
The note ends by saying that BIS will become part of Apple Music Classical and Platoon, but there is predictably no word on how much money changed hands to make the deal happen.
After 50 years, BIS Records is proud to announce that we have joined the Apple family. BIS will become part of Apple Music Classical and Platoon. In this way, the musical treasures of our extensive catalogue will be further enhanced and preserved.Robert pic.twitter.com/6Vf5NmwpzuSeptember 5, 2023
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Apple routinely buys companies for talent and technology and in this case, to add a collection of music to a relatively new streaming option. Apple Music Classical launched earlier this year on iOS followed by Android, and offers a dedicated listening experience for those who enjoy classical music.
It’s unclear when or indeed if Apple will confirm the buyout.
Apple is among a clutch of big-name tech companies touted to be ready to invest in Arm. The move comes after current owner SoftBank set out to find Arm’s biggest customers and turn them into investors in an upcoming initial public offering (IPO).
Alongside Apple, companies like Nvidia, Intel, Samsung, and Google are all thought to be getting involved in an IPO that is expected to be worth up to $7 billion.
As big a number as that might seem, SoftBank was reportedly hoping to value the chip business at $60 billion to $70 billion.
Big-name investors
Bloomberg reports that “SoftBank has been in discussions with Arm customers and partners for months, but the plans are just being finalized.” It’s also expected that Arm is expected to “have its investor roadshow underway by next week.”
Arm is a major player in the mobile chip space, even if most people might not realize it. “Arm provides chip designs and licenses technology that’s a crucial part of the more than 1 billion smartphones sold every year,” the report notes. But it’s looking to expand its business well beyond mobile platforms. “In recent years, it has tried to spread its reach into new areas, including computers used in data centers, seeking to be part of higher-priced electronic components,” Bloomberg continues.
In terms of Apple, its chips are Arm-based but use in-house designs and are then built by TSMC before finding their way into devices that are used around the world, including all the best Macs.
It isn’t clear how much Apple intends to pump into Arm by way of the IPO, but Bloomberg’s report claims that sources point to figures of anywhere between $25 million and $100 million per company. Apple isn’t short of cash, as we well know, so it’s possible its figure could be towards the top end of that range.
Much like iPhone, the Apple Watch has been through a steady stream of regular updates, both in terms of hardware and its watchOS platform, ever since its 2015 debut.
From adding and removing features (remember scrolling through your appointments with that weird time travel feature?), to minor additions like new workout types, watchOS just keeps getting tweak after tweak.
In 2023, though, Apple is drastically mixing things up with a more radical overhaul of watchOS. And it may just be the thing that makes me super glad to own the Apple Watch Ultra.
With that in mind, here’s how watchOS 10 is helping me combat the tinge of buyer’s remorse I have from buying Apple’s most expensive timepiece, even with rumors of an Ultra 2 appearing at Apple’s September 12 event.
Why Ultra?
(Image credit: Future / Apple)
This is, naturally, no one’s fault but my own. With the Series 7 headed back to Apple after reviewing it, the time had come to replace it with an Apple Watch of some description.
The trouble is that the Series 8 just felt like too small a step up for me, and the Series 7 was tougher to find used than I’d have liked. In a sensational display of why I shouldn’t be allowed to make purchasing decisions on my own, I opted for the Ultra.
Its killer feature, for me at least, is the vastly improved battery life over the mainline watch, and while I’d love a black version, it’s a great smartwatch – the best, even.
And yet, as someone who isn’t running ultra marathons, climbing mountains, and really just using it to track workouts and use Things 3 on my wrist, it’s hard to feel I’m not getting the most out of my (not insignificant) investment.
And then came watchOS 10.
A perfect 10
(Image credit: Apple)
It’s perhaps that nagging sense of buyer’s remorse that had me losing all resistance to the notion of installing the watchOS 10 beta.
Usually, I tend to wait for the final release because, even in 2023, there’s no real rollback process for the Apple Watch beta software. But the allure of watchOS 10’s use of the big, bright display on the Apple Watch Ultra lowered my guard (but to note, I’ve still not had any issues – other than the battery draining more quickly).
We’ve got an entire guide about what’s new in watchOS 10, but the allure here comes from how it shows off the new glanceable screens. The Apple Watch Ultra has a larger, drastically brighter display than any of its siblings in the lineup, and one only needs to hop into the overhauled Fitness app to see why that matters.
A new graph in the ‘Move’ view, for example, would’ve taken up much more of the display, but there’s now the option to adjust your fitness goals with a couple of taps, as well as the traditional “Rings” interface in the top left corner.
Third-party apps, understandably, remain in their standard views, with some, like Spotify, still feeling central but with plenty of space. If they adopt more of Apple’s design cues, things could get even better.
The Weather app has a new look, and ties in with the design language of the Good Morning screen to showcase the color that’s possible from the Apple Watch Ultra.
Many other apps, like Calendar or Heart Rate, just squeeze themselves closer to the bezels, and it’s a nice touch – although it does highlight those bezels. Maybe they’ll be thinner on the rumored Apple Watch Ultra 2?
Swiping up to reveal a series of widgets is much nicer to look at when each has the run of the display to work with, too.
All of this is to say that if you’re using an Apple Watch Ultra and feel even the smallest modicum of regret about your purchase, give watchOS 10 a try. It may just surprise you, and it’s only going to get better in a few short weeks.
Apple’s next iPhone will, as tradition dictates, likely offer a spec bump and a better camera. But, for the first time since the iPhone 5, over a decade ago, something will be truly new.
Yes, the entire iPhone 15 line is ditching the company’s proprietary connector and moving to USB-C after some nudging from the European Parliament, and that brings with it a few questions about how it’ll affect iPhone customers, and Apple accessory owners, going forward.
But we don’t have long to wait to see how Apple justifies USB-C on the new iPhones, with an event being held on September 12.
With this in mind, here’s what USB-C on iPhone 15 could mean for your Lightning products.
Back to the Dongle Future?
(Image credit: Future / Apple)
Remember when the 2015 MacBook launched and the word ‘dongle’ was thrown around way too often?
It’s been a while, but there’s every chance Apple could start to lean on dongles again. Plus it’s unlikely to be an issue for existing accessories. But if Apple brings out something like a HomePod with a dock for your iPhone, things may get… dongly.
There may also be products developed that require the speedier data transfer of Thunderbolt 4 USB-C (just imagine – expandable storage on an iPhone), and while it’s not likely, it’s a consideration for future-proofing when deciding between iPhone 14 and iPhone 15.
Wired CarPlay users will also need a new cable, but the joy of the move to USB-C is that it’s not a new cable – so there are readily available options around right now for the majority of instances where a dongle would’ve been required were it not.
If you’ve got one of those chargers that don’t have a detachable cable, you could look into a dongle – but we’d argue you’re better off looking into a USB charging station instead.
What’s old is new-ish
(Image credit: iMore)
Of course, the iPhone is just one piece of the Lightning ecosystem, and while iPad and Mac have embraced USB-C, and Apple Watch does its own thing, AirPods need to finally reach the promised land.
Regardless of which AirPods model you have, starting from the basic AirPods all the way up to the $600 AirPods Max, they all feature a Thunderbolt port for charging. No Lightning will likely lead to an overhaul for all models of AirPods, but that could take time.
For our money, we’d expect AirPods Pro 2 to be near the front of the line for USB-C, and recent leaks have backed this up. While AirPods Max would make sense to see an upgrade next, they’re perhaps less popular than the earbuds (understandable, given the price), but they’ve not seen any hardware revision since they launched.
But with Apple rolling out new AirPods features like Adaptive Audio in iOS 17, so perhaps a hardware update for the product line can wait.
Why is Apple switching to USB-C?
(Image credit: 9to5Mac)
iPhone has switched connectors before with the iPhone 5 back in 2012. But in moving from the 30-pin connector that originally came from the iPod to the Lightning port we have today, Apple was making the decision itself.
This time around, the choice has reportedly been taken out of the manufacturer’s hands, with the European Parliament passing legislation that requires consumer electronics to adhere to the same standards as one another.
It’s perhaps a more logical step than Apple would have to admit, considering it’s already moved iPads to USB-C, beginning with the iPad Pro in 2018. Plus it’s been bundling USB-C cables with products such as the Apple Watch Ultra.
The MacBook, ironically, was one of the first mainstream devices to wholly adopt USB-C back in 2015, but the port was not hugely used back then, causing many to bemoan about this feature on the MacBook.
What are the benefits of a USB-C iPhone?
The biggest benefit for iPhone 15 owners and beyond is that you can charge the phone without needing an additional Lightning cable for charging. If you already use a USB-C charger for your Nintendo Switch, MacBook, or anything else, it’s one less thing to pack before traveling.
Aside from compatibility, USB-C allows for faster data transfer than Lightning. Apple was hesitant to switch before, reportedly due to issues with the waterproofing of iPhones, so we’ll have to see if those issues have been ironed out.
Regardless, it’s going to be interesting to see what Apple says about this new port in the iPhone 15 once they’re reportedly announced on September 12. And we’ll be making sure to cover all of it, alongside our impressions of the new devices.
Since its inception, I’ve been a big fan of the iPhone Upgrade Program. Apple has pioneered a pay monthly scheme for devices that lets you buy a new iPhone every year without the exorbitant upfront costs of an outright handset purchase, and without any nasty interest leeching into your hard-earned cash.
2023 will be my fourth year on the program, I think… I’ve honestly lost count. Last year, the cost of my iPhone 14 Pro was noticeably higher than my iPhone 13 Pro, but not enough to make me reconsider. This year, however, rumors of price increases are looming larger than ever, and I’m genuinely concerned about the prospect of increased monthly costs. To that end, I’ve decided to try and calculate what those prices might look like based on the latest rumors.
iPhone Upgrade Program – our starting point
(Image credit: iMore / Stephen Warwick)
All the latest iPhone 15 and 15 Pro price info points squarely to increases across the entire lineup this year. Of course, a lot of this could be regional. Mark Gurman says we should look out for a “minor” price increase across all four models outside the US, but didn’t rule out a jump at home either.
The iPhone 15 Pro looks set to get a much more significant jump, with reports of price rises of $100 or even $200 dollar on last year’s models.
So how could that impact iPhone Upgrade Program costs?
The iPhone 14 and 14 Pro on iUP is currently priced as follows in the US:
Swipe to scroll horizontally
US iPhone 14/14 Pro upgrade program prices
Row 0 – Cell 0
iPhone 14
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Pro Max
128GB
$39.50
$44.91
$49.91
$54.08
256GB
$43.66
$49.08
$54.08
$58.25
512GB
$52
$57.41
$62.41
$66.58
1TB
Row 4 – Cell 1
Row 4 – Cell 2
$70.75
$74.91
In the UK, iUP shakes out like this:
Swipe to scroll horizontally
UK iPhone 14/14 Pro upgrade program prices
Row 0 – Cell 0
iPhone 14
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Pro Max
128GB
£46.45
£52.95
£61.45
£66.45
256GB
£51.95
£58.45
£66.95
£71.95
512GB
£62.95
£69.45
£77.95
£82.95
1TB
Row 4 – Cell 1
Row 4 – Cell 2
£88.95
£93.95
As mentioned, the great thing about iUP is that there’s no interest or hidden fees. As such, calculating the monthly cost of it is a simple equation. In the US, It’s the cost of your device, plus two years of AppleCare+, divided by 24 months. In the UK, it’s the cost of your device, plus two years of AppleCare+, minus the upfront payment (£69), divided by 20 months.
So, if the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus increase in price by the modest amount mentioned, say, $50/£50, we’d be looking at US costs of $998 for a 128GB iPhone 15 with AppleCare. Divided by 24 months, that gets you $41.58, an increase of just over $2 a month. A 128GB iPhone 15 Plus with AppleCare would be around $1,128, giving us a round monthly cost of $47, making for a $3 a month increase.
If we apply that formula, we get estimated iPhone 15 iUP costs as follows:
Swipe to scroll horizontally
US iPhone 15 potential iUP costs including 1TB option ($50 price increase)
Storage
iPhone 15
iPhone 15 Plus
128GB
$41.58
$47
256GB
$45.75
$51.16
512GB
$54.08
$59.50
1TB
$58.25
$63.66
The same calculation can be applied to the Pro, here’s how they’d look with the rumored $100 increase:
Swipe to scroll horizontally
US iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max potential iUP costs with rumored $100 increase including 2TB option
Storage
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro Max
128GB
$54.08
$58.25
256GB
$58.25
$62.41
512GB
$66
$70.75
1TB
$74.91
$79.08
2TB
$83.25
$87.41
And here’s the same list with the rumored $200 increase:
Swipe to scroll horizontally
US iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max potential iUP costs with $200 increase including 2TB option
Storage
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro Max
128GB
$58.25
$62.41
256GB
$62.41
$66.58
512GB
$70.75
$74.91
1TB
$79.08
$83.25
2TB
$87.41
$91.58
The calculations in the UK are a bit more complicated. As mentioned, there’s a one-off £69 fee, and the payment terms are shorter, 20 months instead of 24. A £50 increase to the 128GB base model iPhone 15, would see it start at £899. With a £149 AppleCare+ fee, minus the upfront costs, that falls to £48.95 a month, a slightly bigger increase than the US.
For a broader picture of how price increases could impact the UK, we’ve taken all of the UK models currently available and added a £100 price increase to reflect a balance of the rumored changes. So the price of the iPhone 15 would start at £949. We’ve then added the cost of AppleCare to each, subtracted the £69 upfront payment, and then divided the remainder by the 20-month term of UK iUP contracts to arrive at the following estimates:
Swipe to scroll horizontally
UK iPhone 15/15 Pro Upgrade Program potential prices with a £100 increase
Row 0 – Cell 0
iPhone 15
iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro Max
128GB
£51.45
£57.95
£66.45
£71.45
256GB
£56.95
£63.45
£71.95
£76.95
512GB
£67.95
£74.45
£82.95
£87.95
1TB
£71.5
£77.95
£93.95
£98.95
2TB
Row 5 – Cell 1
Row 5 – Cell 2
£101.45
£106.45
September could be an expensive month
(Image credit: iMore / Stephen Warwick)
Of course, this could fluctuate for a number of reasons. Apple could change or increase the price of AppleCare+. It could change or increase the upfront cost, or it could change the length of UK iUP contracts to bring costs down by making them longer.
The only other wrinkle, of course, is storage. We’ve heard rumblings that Apple could increase the base model storage of the iPhone from 128GB to 256GB this year, rendering the starting price of iPhone higher. Apple may also add a 1TB option to the regular 15, and a 2TB option to the Pro models. If Apple sticks to form, that last tier could be an eye-watering $1899, which would factor in the $200 rumored price increase and the $200 jump for each storage configuration. We’ve included an estimated cost of a 1TB regular iPhone 15 and a 2TB Pro model in each table.
Finally, these prices are also based on the cost of AppleCare+, included in iUP, staying the same for the new iPhone 15.
As you can see, while the iPhone Upgrade Program is still cheaper than buying a phone outright (in the short term), global increases could make for some painful monthly payment increases this year.
If you aren’t desperate for a new phone every year, financing an iPhone or a carrier option might be a better shout, however, even with increases, people already enrolled in the iPhone Upgrade Program are still probably going to get the best deal by making the leap, even if it’s going to sting a bit more this time around.
Apple Arcade regularly throws up some familiar names from gaming’s past, and the latest helping of new titles to the service is no different, with a classic Sega rhythm game among the new batch offerings now available to subscribers.
Samba de Amigo originally hit arcades back in 1999, before being a big hit on home consoles like Sega’s Dreamcast and the Nintendo Wii.
Putting a Latin American spin on the rhythm game genre the original game had you shaking maraca-shaped controllers in time with hits of the day in order to help Brazilian monkey Samba entertain the on-screen crowd.
Titled Samba de Amigo: Party-To-Go, this new iOS addition to the series unsurprisingly does away with the plastic maracas, yet manages to maintain the frantic fun essence of the original.
Players now have to tap a series of on-screen rings at the right time to over 40 different tracks, while Samba cuts some rug in a number of familiar Sega-themed environments.
Tapping in time is less of a stretch with a controller
A version of this game also recently appeared on Nintendo Switch (Samba de Amigo: Party Central), but Apple device owners get a couple of key additions here.
There’s the bonus of three exclusive tracks to play, with PSY’s “DADDY (feat. CL)”, Lady Gaga’s “The Edge of Glory” and “The Walker” from Fitz and the Tantrums that are unique to this version of the game, while there’s also an exclusive Story Mode, allowing you to follow Amigo the monkey as he tries to reclaim music that has vanished from the world.
While the control system works well on smaller iPhones, in our experience if you’re using a bigger Max handset or iPad the game plays much better if you use an optional Bluetooth controller as those rings become a bit of a stretch to reach in time on larger handsets.
While the story mode won’t win any plaudits for its longevity, Samba de Amigo: Party-To-Go certainly delivers on the easy-entry, quick-blast of fun premise of Apple Arcade and is well worth a download for subscribers.
Running ChatGPT on your iPad just got a whole lot better thanks to a new update to Petey, an iPhone and Apple Watch app that brings the large language model (LLM )to Apple devices.
The new update not only brings Petey to the iPad with a new interface designed for use on the bigger display but also adds new features that make using ChatGPT easier and more fun than was previously the case.
Alongside the new features, developer Hidde van der Ploeg has also added bug fixes for the Apple Watch, improved formatting for sharing conversations, and more.
Get your chat on
The updated Pete app is available for download via the App Store and costs $4.99 with an optional in-app purchase available to enable GPT-4 support.
Downloaders will immediately notice the new iPad app that not only looks right at home on the big screen but also adds keyboard shortcuts to make using the app a smoother experience.
Other notable changes according to the release notes include the ability to select words and sentences within ChatGPT answers as well as the option to fully disable Apple Music for people who prefer to use other music streaming options like Spotify.
Petey is now also available on the iPad! 🎉🎨 The design has been optimised to use the bigger screen better.⌨️ Keyboard shortcuts for more efficient use.🪟 Multi-window support to run alongside other apps.✨ Many improvements and bug fixes for iOS and watchOS.… pic.twitter.com/3l3rytOIOpAugust 30, 2023
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ChatGPT is a great way to do all kinds of things, whether you’re doing research for a project, looking for help writing a paper, or just hoping to better understand a subject. Now, Petey makes that even easier and more fun when doing it on your iPad as well.
Alongside the new features, there are plenty of existing ones that make Pete well worth checking out including support for Live Activities, not to mention text-to-speech support. You can also take advantage of the Shortcuts app to integrate Petey into your workflows by replacing Siri with ChatGPT.
Already have Petey on your iPhone or Apple Watch? This new iPad app is a free addition and those with automatic updates enabled might already have it installed.
A new report into Apple’s revolutionary Vision Pro headset has revealed the company is already testing advanced displays for not one, but two new future models including a cheaper option.
In a report seen by iMore, The Information’s Wayne Ma says that Apple “is currently testing advanced displays made by two Chinese suppliers for possible inclusion in future models of its Vision Pro mixed-reality headsets.”
The company unveiled its awesome Vision Pro headset at WWDC 2023, coining a new era of “spatial computing.” The first iteration, which will cost $3,500 when it goes on sale next year, uses Micro-OLED displays for ultra-dense and detailed displays with millions of pixels, the equivalent of a 4K TV for each eye.
Vision Pro, but cheaper
Ma reiterates Apple ” is evaluating BOE’s and SeeYa’s displays for future models of both the Vision Pro and a cheaper headset internally code-named N109,” which have previously been reported as in the works. The report claims there’s no guarantee that either BOE or SeeYa will be able to meet Apple’s stringent quality standards, but says that at the very least teasing new suppliers could force existing manufacturers to bring their prices down, just like the iPhone. Those changes could be key to making Vision Pro more affordable for future customers because there’s no doubt that a $3,500 headset is going to prove a tough sell to all-but the most dedicated early adopters. Despite the high price tag, Vision Pro exudes potential thanks to innovative controls and an ultra-premium design.
Before Vision Pro, we’ve got a whole host of more mainstream Apple devices to look forward to, including the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, expected at the next Apple event in September. Apple’s best iPhone yet will deliver USB-C, new chips for the Pro models, and more.
iOS 17 is jam-packed with helpful new tools, from Contact Posters to StandBy and so much more. But for all the fun and convenience that this latest update offers, there’s one new addition explicitly designed to help protect you from seeing things that you might not necessarily want to be exposed to (without prior consent).
Receiving unsolicited pictures (and videos) is an unfortunately common occurrence, and with the myriad of ways we can send and receive media nowadays, it’s easier than ever to be affronted by content you never asked to receive. As such, gaining additional ways to combat such unwelcome “junk mail” is itself welcome.
That’s exactly what iOS 17’s Sensitive Content Warning is designed to do, and here we explain how it works and how to set it up for yourself.
What is Sensitive Content Warning in iOS 17 and how does it work?
How Sensitive Content Warning looks in Messages and on AirDrop (Image credit: Apple)
Beta software, also referred to as a preview, seed, or release candidate, is a version of the software still under development and not yet released to the public. This software is intended only for installation on development devices registered under your Apple Developer Program membership. Registered development devices can be upgraded to future beta releases and the public version of the software. Attempting to install beta software in an unauthorized manner violates Apple policy and could render your device unusable and necessitate an out-of-warranty repair. Make sure to back up your devices before installing beta software and install only on devices and systems you’re prepared to erase if necessary.
Want to get access these latest updates to Visual Look Up ahead of iOS 17’s formal release, later this year? We show you how to install the current iOS 17 Public Beta right now.
John-Anthony Disotto
“Sensitive Content Warning is a great step towards protecting users from unsolicited images appearing on their iPhones. For many you won’t need to enable this feature but for others, particularly children, this is a brilliant addition to iPhone security.”
The new Sensitive Content Warning feature on iOS 17 is explicitly designed to reduce the risk of you being exposed to nude images and videos sent via the various means of messaging and sharing built into iOS. When enabled, nude images or videos received via Messages, FaceTime video messages, Contact Posters (via the Phone app), or any media sent over AirDrop are all filtered through the Sensitive Content Warning feature; an extension of iOS’ existing Communication Safety functionality, introduced back in iOS 15.2.
When you receive content flagged by the Sensitive Content Warning feature, rather than a thumbnail of the image or video appearing in your messages or in an AirDrop notification, you’ll instead see a heavily blurred representation of the image, accompanied by text highlighting the possible sensitive nature of the hidden content (as per the Apple press image above), along with a warning icon and the option to ‘show’ – in the case of Messages or the option to ‘decline’ or ‘continue’ – in the case of AirDrop media and the like.
In iOS 17, Sensitive Content Warning is an opt-in feature, meaning it’s not enabled by default when you update your phone to this version of iOS, and has to be turned on manually in the settings (the method for which we cover in the next section).
Like Communication Safety, all incoming content that’s handled by the Sensitive Content Warning feature is expressly processed on the device. This means Apple’s servers (or any third party servers, for that matter) are never sent anything you receive, maintaining privacy and user data protection.
How to turn on Sensitive Content Warning in iOS 17
If you’re interested in enabling iOS 17’s Sensitive Content Warning feature, it’s easily accessible from the settings menu. Within the feature’s controls, you’ll also find additional information from Apple on how the feature works and how your data is handled, as well as a link to safety resources relevant to your region.
Here’s how to switch on Sensitive Content Warning in iOS 17:
Open the Settings app on your iPhone running iOS 17
Scroll down to find and tap on Privacy & Security
Scroll down to find and tap on Sensitive Content Warning (it’ll likely be switched off by default)
Steps 2 and 3 (Image credit: Future)
On the next screen, tap to turn the toggle on next to the words ‘Sensitive Content Warning.’ It’s here you’ll also find the link that Apple provides to additional safety resources
Once switched on, you’ll be presented with additional toggles for apps and services installed on your iPhone supported by Sensitive Content Warning, including AirDrop, Contacts, Messages and Video Messages; each of which you can turn on and off independently
Steps 4 & 5 (Image credit: Future)
That’s it! Now incoming offending images and video should be blurred by default.
One more thing… what we want next from Apple’s smart censorship
Although there’s no skirting around the fact that the boundary of what should and shouldn’t be censored will vary from person to person, Apple’s Sensitive Content Warning feature is designed to offer a generalist net that catches content that most people would consider offensive or unwanted, without prior consent.
The fact that the processing for this feature takes place solely on-device is a double-edged sword, however. On the one hand, this move helps uphold user privacy. But on the other, this means that the data set on which Sensitive Content Warning has been trained can’t adapt over time, allowing bad actors to figure out ways to circumvent it.
Apple has already gone some way to alleviate this issue by including an Improve Sensitive Content Warning toggle, which – when enabled – shares analytics and usage data with Apple about the feature. While that sounds like it goes directly against the company’s user privacy policies the company includes the statement ‘Analytics and data are aggregated in a form that is not personally identifiable. No messages or media are shared with Apple.’
The other chink in Sensitive Content Warning’s armor right now is that it’s limited to a subset of first-party iOS apps (like Messages) and features (such as AirDrop), meaning you could still receive offending imagery through other chat apps and transfer methods outside of its current jurisdiction.
Either by baking in a system-wide solution or supplying developers with an API that allows them to tap into the power of Sensitive Content Warning, we’d love to see the feature reach more first-party apps, like Mail.
And it should be extended to third-party apps as well – such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, and beyond; making the experience of messaging and file sharing on iOS cleaner and safer for all.
While I’ve been happy with my Apple Watch Ultra this past year, rumors of an Apple Watch X have made me hope for a big change when it comes to setting up the Apple Watch.
The Apple Watch X is allegedly going to be a big redesign, similar to the iPhone X. And I’ve been wondering what it should bring to make its mark, much like the iPhone X did in 2017.
While some rumors point to it being able to change color like a chameleon to match the clothes you’re wearing, I’ve been looking back at some features that made a huge difference to how we’ve used our iPhones over the years.
With this in mind, there’s a big feature that I’d love to see arrive with Apple Watch X that would revolutionize the Apple Watch and make its mark for the next decade.
iPhone and iTunes
In the early years of the iPhone, you would buy the device from an Apple Store or a network provider, and the first thing you’d have to do is plug it into a computer. This way, iTunes would validate your new purchase, activate it, and you’d be good to go.
When iOS 5 arrived in 2011, Apple changed this so you could activate your iPhone by just making sure a SIM card was inside, and it could connect to the network provider. Apple called it ‘PC Free’, and this saved a big headache for users. There would be times when some users wouldn’t be able to access a Mac or Windows PC for instance, so they’d have a temporary paperweight until their iPhone was plugged in somewhere.
But now, it’s a feature that feels like it’s always been there, ever since the iPhone’s debut in 2007, and the same should apply to Apple Watch.
iPhone Free
(Image credit: Future / Apple)
When you buy an Apple Watch, the first thing you’re prompted to do is to point your iPhone at its watch face so it can begin the start-up process. But I want this to be redesigned for Apple Watch X.
It may sound unimaginable, but there are Apple customers who don’t have an iPhone, but gladly use an iPad, a Mac, and other products. If they want to use an Apple Watch to track their health and fitness, they’re stuck.
But there’s also the point that no one can manage their Watch on an iPad or Mac even if they do have an iPhone. You can’t change watch faces, nor can you place widgets in iPadOS and macOS to track your fitness as you can in iOS.
These feel like big misses for both sets of users. So for Apple Watch X, let’s see this change. When you first turn the wearable on, have it pair to your account when it’s near an Apple device, similar to how the AirPods work.
This way, your Apple Watch X can detect what’s nearby, and it follows a similar set-up process as before.
The Watch app then appears on your Mac, iPad, or both when it’s ready to be used, and you can manage and change it as you wish, much like how you can on your iPhone right now.
A feature that could set up Apple Watch for years to come
(Image credit: Future / Apple)
Granted, there may be some who think that it takes away a core part of the Apple Watch, as it’s always been a companion to the iPhone. But I say that’s wrong. It should be classed as a companion to you, to what you use every day.
Many of us use iPads and Macs every day for our work and hobbies, and a lot of that time is spent staying in one place. So to be able to create new watch faces and change some complications on these devices would be a great help.
This change would also mean that new users could now own an Apple Watch, without worrying about having to switch to an iPhone. If they only have an M1 MacBook Air, that’s good enough, and that’s how it should be.
iPhone X was said to set the standard for the next decade for iPhone, and that’s exactly what the Apple Watch X should be. It’s these features that can change how someone can use the Watch for the better, or have it appeal to others who have never owned one before.
If Apple decides to look into a similar feature to this, it could open up the wearable to even more users for the next decade, and beyond.
This article originally appeared in Mac|Life magazine. If you’d like to stay up-to-date on all the latest news, tips, guides and more for all things iPhone, MacBook, iPads and more, check out the latest subscription deals. Subscribe to the digital edition today from only $1.16 per issue!
There’s no other way to say it – right now, Siri sucks. Ask Chat GPT something like “explain quantum computing in simple terms”, and you get an actual answer. Ask Siri and you get the standard, “I found this on the web”, response. All Siri does is show you links to websites related to what you wanted to know, rather than answer the question itself. It’s always done this, but it’s only since the rise of AI chatbots, like Chat GPT, that this is starting to feel a bit old fashioned.
OK, Siri does do some useful stuff very well, like starting timers, or scheduling reminders, and when it launched in 2011 this was all pretty groundbreaking stuff. The problem is that more than 10 years have passed now since that launch and things have moved on — while for the most part Siri has stood still. The rise of AI chatbots like Chat GPT have shown what’s really possible with modern man/machine interactions. Suddenly Siri is looking a bit long in the tooth.
While we can already get ChatGPT as an app on the iPhone just imagine how powerful it would be if it was combined with the voice recognition and system-level integration capabilities of Siri. In fact, we’ve already thought about some workarounds to make it happen — follow our guide on how to replace Siri with ChatGPT AI on iPhone — but we’d love it if Apple could just get these two guys talking.
In fairness, rival voice assistant Alexa isn’t that much better, but it does feel like Amazon has the edge over Apple here, which is unusual in any market. Normally Apple is the clear leader, but not with digital assistants, it seems.
Internal testing and a vision of the future
According to Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter, Apple is already using an AI chatbot internally to help its teams do their work, and it’s going to start moving it into customer-facing products next year. If he’s right, it might not be long before we get an AI-boosted Siri.
Just imagine a Siri that you could have a proper conversation with. You could ask it how well it thought the US team did in the recent World Cup and instead of saying “here’s what I found on the web” it would launch into a serious debate about the power of the current back four and the impact of injury on the squad. Ask it what you need to improve your credit rating and it would come back with a series of decent suggestions you could implement. Ask it to write an email to your boss for you about why you absolutely need to take next Friday off, and would do a pretty good job. In fact, it could probably email it to your boss for you and get you a raise while it’s at it!
Of course, as brilliant as it sounds, AI doesn’t come without risks. AI learns everything it knows by training itself on what it finds on the Internet, and so it can have a very loose relationship with the truth. In fact, there have been reports of people posting fake news, just to get AI chatbots to report it as fact. Websites containing fake AI-generated news are proliferating at an alarming rate. And it turns out that AI is capable of ‘hallucinating’ various products into existence when doing roundups of what the best processor or graphics card is.
Apple will find all this problematic, and will be looking to utilise a chatbot that doesn’t make these kinds of mistakes. But while the challenges of making AI into a trusted source are significant, it’s what Apple has always been good at. Apple does best when it takes other people’s ideas and makes them better. Apple didn’t invent the MP3 player, but it perfected it with the iPod. Apple didn’t create the first visual mouse-driven interface for a computer, but it made the best one the world had ever seen. Apple didn’t invent the touchscreen device, but… you know the rest.
I’ve got a feeling that Siri is going to get the best implementation of AI we’ve ever seen. Eventually…
Apple TV Plus film Flora and Son received a trailer earlier this week that shows off some of the story, the music, and the cinematography. Coming from the director of the Grammy-nominated Once and 2016’s charming comedy Sing Street, John Carney’s Flora and Son is a familiar premise with a new direction.
It is due to see a limited theatrical release a week prior to the launch on Apple TV Plus, giving audiences a chance to check it out before the rest of the world.
Feeling the music
This trailer sets up the story of Max (Orén Kinlan), a rebellious son who doesn’t have many hobbies driving him. When a Garda (an Irish cop) comes to the door, warning Flora (Eve Hewson) that the next offense will put Max in serious trouble, she sets out to bond with the young man.
So that she can make a new connection with her son, Flora buys a guitar — although Max is otherwise completely uninterested. Flora decides to learn instead, hoping to bridge the gap. This is when she meets an LA musician (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who agrees to teach her to play. At its heart, Flora and Son is the story of a mother in Dublin who tries to connect with her son to give him some meaning in his life as he reaches adulthood.
Taking on themes like divorce, class, and poverty, as John Carney’s previous films have, the trailer is emotive and warm — displaying an earnest yet comedic attempt to connect with the audience. Originally shown at Sundance earlier this year to great reviews, Apple is distributing it through Apple TV Plus and showing the movie in select cinemas, although we don’t have a final list of which cinemas will show it just yet.
If it’s not airing in a cinema near you, you can watch it with an Apple TV Plus subscription on September 29th.
Over the last few months, Apple has been hosting Apple Vision Pro developer labs to give creative developers the chance to visualise their apps in Apple’s future mixed reality headset.
Though they can’t talk about their experiences with the devices publicly just yet, Apple has shared some of their reactions in a brand new developer post. We can only expect more reactions to come out over the coming months.
A device with vision
As these reactions are shared by Apple itself, we have to take them with a grain of salt. It’s a carefully curated list of reactions and quotes from devs, going over how it will change their life as a dev and all the ideas they have for the platform. It’s a fascinating bit of insight into what the Vision Pro will be used for, but it is also very deliberate.
In the first published lab, Apple got Michael Simmons, the CEO of Flexibits, David Smith, a developer and podcaster, and Ben Guerrette, the Creative Director of Pixite, to try out the Vision Pro with their apps.
Michael Simmons tried out Fantastical, his all-encompassing calendar app, and said, “It was like seeing Fantastical for the first time… It felt like I was part of the app.” This is an exciting prospect for the Vision Pro as you could potentially put it into your office life and schedule meetings and check the weather all from within the headset.
David Smith worked on a version of Widgetsmith, with the intent of seeing exactly how customizable the Vision Pro can get. The answer is seemingly very, as one clever dev team has managed to get Windows XP running on it.
Ben Guerrette praised the developer lab as it gave him the chance to really understand how his app would work. “That kind of learning experience is incredibly valuable.”
With the Apple Vision Pro seemingly years off, these tests are mostly a proof of concept. Apple wants developer support as it’s part of a big launch, and letting some of the most creative developers out there get their hands on it is a great way of doing so. Though you could guess your app will work, you can’t quite account for how everything feels when you’re in there.
Apple letting developers really get hands-on with their headset is a great sign of what it will be like on launch.
Primal Groudon is coming back to raids in Pokémon Go! This is one of the toughest raids around, but we here at iMore have everything you need to know to beat it and add this Legendary Pokémon to your team!
Who is Primal Groudon in Pokémon Go?
(Image credit: The Pokémon Company)
The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Ruby, Groudon is known as the Continent Pokémon because of the part it played in forming and expanding the continents in the Pokémon world. Using the legendary Red Orb, Groudon can undergo Primal Reversion to take a form more like it’s prehistoric form and expand the land masses once more.
In Pokémon Go, Primal Groudon acts as a Mega Pokémon, providing a Mega Boost to all the other Pokémon on the field and a same type Mega Boost to Ground and Fire types. As one would expect of a Legendary, Primal Groudon outperforms every Ground and Fire Mega Pokémon by a considerable margin, so this is one Pokémon you will definitely want in your roster!
So be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories, so you can be fully equipped for all those Primal Groudon raids!
Mega counters
(Image credit: Niantic)
There are a handful of options for Mega Evolution when countering Primal Groudon, focusing on its weaknesses: Fighting and Water; however, Water is a double weakness, so that should be your first choice.
Mega Swampert
(Image credit: The Pokémon Company)
Best of the best, the top damage dealer in this raid is Mega Swampert. As a Ground and Water type, it resists Fire type damage, but Grass type moves deal super effective damage. If you add Mega Swampert to your team, it should know Water Gun and Hydro Cannon.
Primal Kyogre
(Image credit: The Pokémon Company)
Close behind Mega Swampert is Primal Kyogre. Groudon’s rival, Kyogre can also undergo Primal Reversion and provide a Mega Boost to all your Water type counters. As a pure Water type, Primal Kyogre also resists Fire type damage, while being weak to Grass type. Waterfall and Surf are the ideal moves for Primal Kyogre.
Mega Blastoise
(Image credit: The Pokémon Company)
Next up is Gen I’s Mega Blastoise. It’s another pure Water type, so it resists Fire type damage and is weak against with Water type. Its best moveset is Water Gun and Hydro Cannon.
Mega Gyarados
(Image credit: The Pokémon Company)
Mega Gyarados is another great option for this raid. It’s a Water and Dark type, so it’s also weak to Grass type damage and resistant to Fire type. If you’re bringing Gyarados to this fight, it should know Waterfall and Aqua Tail.
Honorable mentions
While they will not perform as well, the following Mega Evolved Pokémon can also work for this raid:
Mega Salamence with Dragon Tail and Hydro Pump
Mega Slowbro with Water Gun and Surf
Primal Groudon with Mud Shot and Precipice Blades
Mega Rayquaza with Dragon Tail and Dragon Ascent
Top counters
(Image credit: Niantic)
Primal Groudon is a Ground and Fire type with access to Ground, Fire, Grass, and Dragon type moves. Its weaknesses include Water and and Ground type damage, but Water is a double weakness so you should focus on Water types for this raid.
Kyogre
(Image credit: The Pokémon Company)
As far as standard counters go, Kyogre is the top damage dealer in this raid. Groudon’s rival is a pure Water type, meaning it resists Fire type moves, but is weak to Grass type damage. Fortunately, Kyogre has had many, many runs in raids, as well as a few other appearances in Pokémon Go, so most active players will have a few already. Waterfall and Surf is Kyogre’s best moveset for this fight.
Swampert
(Image credit: The Pokémon Company)
Even without Mega Evolution, the Water starter from Hoenn, Swampert is an excellent counter for Groudon. It’s a Water and Ground type, so Grass type moves hit for super effective damage, while it resists Fire type damage. As a starter, Swampert has been available many, many times, including starring in Community Day, so you probably already have a few powered up. Water Gun and Hydro Cannon are the moves you’ll want your Swampert to know.
Gyarados
(Image credit: The Pokémon Company)
Another great counter for Groudon is Gen I’s Gyarados. It’s a Water and Flying type, so it resists Ground and Fire type damage while having no weaknesses Groudon can exploit. Gyarados may be a little expensive to evolve, but having been in the game since day one, there’s really no excuse for active players not to have it. Waterfall and Hydro Pump are the ideal moves for Gyarados in this fight.
Kingler
(Image credit: The Pokémon Company)
Another Gen I classic, Kingler performs great in this raid. It’s another pure Water type, so Grass type moves hit extra hard while it resists Fire type damage. Kingler has been in the game since day one and is cheap to evolve, so you probably have a few by now. The best moveset for Kingler is Bubble and Crabhammer.
Feraligatr
(Image credit: The Pokémon Company)
Another Water starter, Feraligatr of the Johto region is next on our list. It’s a super common Water type, so like most of our top counters, it resists Fire type while taking super effective damage from Grass. Water Gun and Hydro Cannon are Feraligatr’s best moves here.
Clawitzer
(Image credit: The Pokémon Company)
Another great counter in this raid is the Kalos native, Clawitzer. It’s another pure Water type, so you’ll want to be careful of Grass type moves. The Clawitzer line has been featured in a few events, so while it’s not quite as common as some of the other top counters, most active players have had the chance to evolve it by now. Water Gun and Crabhammer are the best moves for Clawitzer here.
Golisopod
(Image credit: The Pokémon Company)
Originally encountered in the Alola region, Golisopod is next up on our list. As a Bug and Water type, Golisopod resists Ground type damage and has no weaknesses Groudon can exploit. Unfortunately, Golisopod is quite expensive to evolve and its first stage, Wimpod hasn’t been featured as often as the other Pokémon on our list. Still, if you have it, your Golisopod should know Waterfall and Liquidation for this raid.
Samurott
(Image credit: The Pokémon Company)
Gen V’s Water starter, Samurott is another excellent choice for facing Primal Groudon. It’s another pure Water type, so be wary of Grass type moves. The Samurott line has been featured in events, including Community Day, so there’s a good chance you already have it powered up. Your Samurott should know Waterfall and Hydro Cannon for this fight.
Empoleon
(Image credit: The Pokémon Company)
Sinnoh’s Water starter, Empoleon is another option for this raid. It’s a Water and Steel type, so it resists Dragon type damage, but takes super effective damage from Ground type moves. Empoleon has also had the Community Day treatment so is readily accessible for most players. Waterfall and Hydro Cannon is the moveset you’re looking for here.
Palkia
(Image credit: The Pokémon Company)
Another great counter for Primal Groudon is the Legendary mascot of Pokémon Pearl, Palkia. This Dragon and Water type resists Fire type damage, but is weak to Dragon type moves. Palkia has only had a few full runs in raids, so it’s a little less accessible than most of this list, but if you have it, it should know Dragon Tail and Aqua Tail.
Back up counters
Although most players will be able to make a team of the best counters, if you’re finding a gap in your team, there are plenty of back ups who work well in larger groups. Just make sure you’re dodging and any of the following could be a decent back up:
Primarina with Waterfall and Hydro Pump
Blastoise with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
Mew with Waterfall and Surf
Greninja with Bubble and Surf
Crawdaunt with Waterfall and Crabhammer
Milotic with Waterfall and Surf
Vaporeon with Water Gun and Aqua Tail
Tapu Fini with Water Gun and Surf
Pelipper with Water Gun and Weather Ball
Salamence with Dragon Tail and Hydro Pump
Crabominable with Bubble and Crabhammer
Goodra with Water Gun and Muddy Water
Floatzel with Waterfall and Liquidation
Bruxish with Water Gun and Aqua Tail
Sharpedo with Waterfall and Hydro Pump
Slowking with Water Gun and Surf
Slowbro with Water Gun and Surf
Carracosta with Water Gun and Surf
Regigigas with Hidden Power (Water) and Giga Impact
Shadow counters
(Image credit: Niantic)
The rebalance of Shadow Pokémon rescued from Team GO Rocket make them excellent glass cannons. Not only are their stats boosted, but during special events or with Elite TMs, it’s possible to change their moves. If you happen to have any of the following Pokémon with the right moveset, they will work very well in this raid:
Shadow Gyarados with Waterfall and Aqua Tail
Shadow Swampert with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
Shadow Feraligatr with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
Shadow Blastoise with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
Shadow Salamence with Dragon Tail and Hydro Pump
Shadow Sharpedo with Waterfall and Hydro Pump
Shadow Wailord with Water Gun and Surf
Shadow Politoed with Bubble and Weather Ball
Shadow Omastar with Water Gun and Hydro Pump
Shadow Slowking with Water Gun and Surf
Shadow Slowbro with Water Gun and Surf
Shadow Lapras with Water Gun and Surf
Note: Shadow Gyarados, Shadow Swampert, and Shadow Feraligatr outperform all of the top counters. Shadow Blastoise, Shadow Salamence, and Shadow Sharpedo also perfom on par with top counters.
More details
(Image credit: Niantic)
Like Mega Raids, you’re going to want to prioritize beating Primal Groudon as fast as possible to maximize the amount of Primal Energy you can earn. However, this is a pretty tough raid. Top level players with the best counters will want at least four party members and lower level players will want at least six.
Weather conditions that can impact this raid include:
Sunny/Clear Weather will boost Groudon’s Fire, Grass, and Ground type moves, as well as the rare Ground type counters
Wind will boost its Dragon type move
Rain will boost your Water type counters
Don’t miss your chance to catch Primal Groudon in Pokémon Go!
Primal Groudon will only be back in raids for a limited time, so don’t miss your chance to battle and capture this Legendary Pokémon! And be sure to check out the rest of our Pokémon Go guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!
