Apple TV Plus, after months of silence, is back in streaming’s top 10 with its new comedy series.
According to data from Reelgooda streaming aggregator who regularly puts together some analytics around TV shows and movies, found that Shrinking, the new Apple TV Plus comedy starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford, helped the streaming service finally crack back into the top 10 list for the week of January 26, 2023.
Shrinking passed Yellowstone, The Menu, and some others to land in sixth place for the week. The Last of Us on HBO Max, Poker Face on Peacock, and Everything Everywhere All at Once on Showtime took the top three positions.
What is Shrinking about?
Shrinking “follows a grieving therapist (played by Segel) who starts to break the rules and tell his clients exactly what he thinks. Ignoring his training and ethics, he finds himself making huge, tumultuous changes to people’s lives … including his own. In addition to Segel and Ford, “Shrinking” stars Christa Miller, Jessica Williams, Michael Urie, Luke Tennie and Lukita Maxwell.”
If you haven’t checked out the show just yet, check out the official teaser trailer on YouTube below:
The first three episodes are out now with each additional episode being released weekly on Fridays. It is written by Emmy Award-winning Ted Lasso co-creator Bill Lawrence, Emmy Award-winning Ted Lasso star, writer, and co-executive producer Brett Goldstein and Segel. The series is the second collaboration between Apple and Segel who also starred in the drama film The Sky is Everywhere.
I’ve personally watched the first two episodes and, just like Scrubs and Ted Lasso, Bill Lawrence has another stellar story to tell with this one.
Shrinking premiered on Apple TV Plus back on January 27, 2023. If you want to enjoy the series in the best quality possible, check out our review of the Apple TV 4K and our list of the Best TVs for Apple TV 2022.
LG is rolling out support for Apple services to a ton of televisions.
In a press release from earlier today, the company announced that it was adding support for the Apple TV App, Apple Music, AirPlay, and HomeKit to its webOS Hub. According to LG, this update will make the services available on televisions in over 100 countries and regions.
The company says that “10 times as many brands are now available on webOS Hub than in early 2021, with LG now working with 200 partners in total including Seiki, Eko, Stream System, Konka, Aiwa, and Hyundai. Through these efforts, LG is now primely positioned to deliver on its promise of pioneering streamlined content viewing experiences for millions of people around the globe.”
In order to access these services, customers with a compatible television just need to go to the webOS Hub. For Apple TV, the webOS Hub Home Screen has a dedicated app. LG says that Apple Music should also be available through a dedicated app. At this time, it’s unclear exactly how AirPlay and HomeKit work, but they’re unlikely to need dedicated apps and are likely enabled through a television or the webOS Hub’s settings.
At this time, there’s no word from the company if other services like Apple Arcade or Apple Fitness Plus could come to their televisions. Those are still accessed on the television through dedicated hardware like the Apple TV 4K for the full experience.
LG already launched some years ago
This is just the latest upgrade LG has made to support Apple’s services. Back in 2021, the company rolled out a dedicated app for Apple Music. In the same year, LG added a dedicated Apple TV app as well.
LG also isn’t the only place where Apple’s services have expanded recently. Late last year, it was reported that Apple Music and the Apple TV app were both coming to Windows. Last month, the Apple Music app finally launched on Windows, but it is currently limited to devices running Windows 11.
In a series of tweets, prolific analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said that, alongside a HomePod mini 2 and low-cost AirPods arriving in 2024, the sequel to the AirPods Max headphones could finally be arriving as well, and I’m excited.
I’m an owner of both the AirPods Pro (first-generation) and Sony XM5 headphones for different situations. The AirPods are used for walks to listen to podcasts and music, especially when I’ve got no choice but to walk in the UK rain. I was hoping for new Max headphones to arrive in October 2022, but instead we got the second-gen models of AirPods Pro.
And yet I use the XM5 headphones for when I’m doing a majority of work, alongside using its headphone jack to plug into my Steam Deck to play more of GTA V and Bioshock 2.
But if these three wishes of mine for AirPods Max 2 are granted, it could replace both my AirPods Pro and XM5s in one swoop.
USB-C
(Image credit: Luke Filipowicz / iMore)
I’ve always been of the opinion to USB-C all the things. During the second lockdown in the UK, I replaced most of our plugs and hubs with USB-C ports while adding smart lights in our home, to the annoyance of my wife for a few days.
With new purchases since then such as the XM5s, extension leads, and my Steam Deck all with USB-C, the gamble has paid off. But even with the AirPods Pro 2, Apple is sticking with its aging lightning port.
For the whole line in 2024, not just the Max 2, let’s see USB-C instead, so I can carry one less cable in my bag for when the headphones need charging. Let’s get quick charging in there too, so that the battery can fill up that little bit quicker.
An actual case
(Image credit: Future/iMore)
Every time I’m done with my headphones, they go in the hard case they came with and it’s zipped up. For the current Max headphones, they’re simply wrapped into a suede purse, giving no protection against the elements or from being walked on by our dog, Jolly.
It’s an odd decision by Apple, especially when they’re priced at $579 / £549. You’d, quite rightfully, expect some kind of protection for them. So let’s see a protective, zipped-up, waterproof case for the Max 2 which could also work as a charging pad.
Water resistance
(Image credit: Apple)
We’re in a time when the iPhone 14 Pro could be accidentally thrown into a swimming pool, and its chances of working as it did before are much better than doing the same to an iPhone 4. The same goes for the Apple Watch. Especially the relatively-new Apple Watch Ultra model, where you can go as deep as 40 meters and not worry about it becoming waterlogged with salt water and ending up with a paperweight.
While the regular AirPods and AirPods Pro are both water resistant (up to a point), the Max isn’t, nor are my XM5 headphones. So every time I try my luck at wearing them outside, a splash of rain falls on my head, causing me to hurriedly pack them into their case and into my bag.
So let’s see some water resistance in the AirPods Max 2 – if there’s light rain about to come down on me, I don’t want to have the anxiety of packing them in as fast as I can.
We’ve waited long enough
(Image credit: Future)
AirPods Max is getting old – released in December 2020, we’re past the two-year mark of its debut, and it’s time for a refresh. With many of its competitors upgraded their own audio products in the intervening years, such as Sony and Bose, AirPods Max has been sitting by the sidelines.
Apple can achieve some easy wins here to make the Max 2 something irresistible to upgrade to such as an actual case, alongside some new colors. But with its recent audio efforts in bringing out a new HomePod, Apple could take its headphones to another level, and if it does, I’ll be there, ready to pick them up at an Apple Store when available.
If you like your movies in surround sound, then you’re going to love that Netflix is offering the spatial audio standard on more of its titles. What you’re unlikely to enjoy is that you’ll need to pay for the premium 4K subscription. That is $20 a month, which, compared to other streaming services, is a lot.
Variety reported that Netflix would be bringing support for Spatial Audio last summer. It’s designed to be used with any existing stereo speakers, bringing 360-degree immersive audio to even the lowliest of laptop speakers.
This Spatial Audio isn’t from Apple
Apple where the first to coin the term ‘Spatial Audio’, using some very clever programming to place audio all around the listener. Several other companies now offer a Spatial audio offering, and Netflix is going to use a standard developed by Sennhieser, called the AMBEO 2-channel Spatial Audio.
Netflix is releasing 700 or so movies in the Spatial Audio standard, and a small number will be available to users in the non-premium streaming tier. As said up top, however, you’re going to need the most expensive option to get all of them. In a blog post on Netflix’s website, Director of Product Management Rishu Arora said:
“Netflix’s Premium plan already offers the highest quality viewing experience, with beautiful, crisp, 4K HDR video resolution without ads, the ability to watch and download series and films on four supported devices at a time, and more. Now, with Netflix spatial audio , our members with Premium will enjoy the highest quality sound experience available, whether they are watching at home on TV or a computer, or on the go with a phone or tablet.”
If you’d like to find out what Netflix’s version of Spatial Audio sounds like, you can check out the video below. It, like Spatial audio on Netflix itself, will work with any speakers or headphones.
You can still use Apple’s spatial audio with Netflix, so you’ll get in on the AirPods 3, AirPods Pro 2, and the AirPods Max as well as others like the Beats Fit Pro. You just need a compatible device like an iPhone, an iPad, or an Apple TV. Make sure that your spatial audio setting is turned on, and you’re good to go.
With the World Cup behind us and the start of the new 2023 MLS Season on the horizon, Apple has teamed up with the MLS to announce MLS Season Pass, a subscription service available across more than 100 countries and regions worldwide.
Starting from February 1, soccer fans around the world can tune in to MLS Season Pass to watch all MLS and League Cup matches, and hundreds of MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT games directly from the Apple TV app.
Not only will you be able to catch live games from February 25 but also pregame and postgame analysis as well as “highlights, full replays of classic matches, and documentary-style vignettes.” With this in mind, here’s how to sign up for the pass and watch them on the Apple TV app.
Watch every 2023 MLS match this season on Apple TV
How to watch MLS matches via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
3. MLS Season Pass should be in the browse section. If MLS Season Pass does not appear then click Search and type “MLS”
4.Click Subscribe to access every live MLS match for the 2023 season, including play-offs for $14.99/month. Apple TV Plus subscribers receive a discounted rate of $12.99/month
Apple’s partnership with MLS not only brings live matches to iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV (4K, HD, and 3rd generation) but also gives soccer fans a vast amount of free content without subscribing to the platform.
3. MLS Season Pass should be in the browse section. If MLS Season Pass does not appear then click Search and type “MLS”
4. Select your favorite team by scrolling left on the club crests
5. Scroll down to see featured content, Best of 2022and when the new season starts on February 25 new highlights
You can also follow a favorite team if you wish, and matches involving them will be highlighted in the ‘Browse’ section, saving you the time to look for a particular match involving them.
This 10-year partnership between Apple and the MLS is a historic moment for Apple’s continued pursuit of using Apple TV as a sports haven. Following on from Apple’s MLB partnership, where could Apple go next in its journey for sporting success? We’ll get the first glimpse when the MLS season starts on February 25.
We have good news for smart home users who use Samsung’s SmartThings. A new app update brings Matter functionality to the SmartThings app (opens in new tab) for iOS and iPadOS. Although SmartThings has been Matter compatible for Android since last fall, this is the first time this functionality was available through the App Store.
Matter, the new smart home connectivity standard, is backed by various companies, including Samsung, Apple, Google, Amazon, and many others.
With Matter support, SmartThings users can access all Matter-certified products with one app. These include products from Google, Eve System, Yale, Nanoleaf, and more.
What’s the Matter?
Once known as Project Connected Home over IP (CHIP), Matter finally makes controlling innovative home products from mobile devices as easy as using Bluetooth with no corporate barriers. The standard units Apple HomeKit, SmartThings, Google Home, Amazon, and many more.
With the new SmartThings app update for iOS and iPadOS, users can begin experiencing Matter on the best iPhones and the best iPads. To get started, you must have the latest version of iOS and iPadOS installed.
Older smart devices don’t necessarily work with Matter. For more information, contact the device manufacturer. When buying new devices, look for the Matter logo on the packaging before making a purchase.
Changing economic conditions affect the prices of a lot of things, and it appears the latest wave has hit Apple’s App Store. Apple recently announced that it would adjust (mostly increase) the prices of apps and in-app purchases in a few countries. The changes come due to changes in taxes as well as fluctuations in currency conversion rates.
Apple announced (opens in new tab) it is making the changes in Colombia, Egypt, Hungary, Nigeria, Norway, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, starting February 13, 2023. The company also announced a few other pricing changes to the App Store.
Some countries getting a cut in App Store pricing
Apple announced this change in pricing for apps and in-app purchases (excluding auto-renewable subscriptions). Pricing isn’t only increasing, though, with the announcement detailing a few pricing drops. Here are the other pricing changes detailed by Apple.
“Prices in Uzbekistan will decrease to reflect a reduction of the value-added tax rate from 15% to 12%. Your proceeds will be adjusted accordingly and will be calculated based on the tax-exclusive price.
While prices on the App Store in Ireland, Luxembourg, Singapore, and Zimbabwe won’t change, your proceeds will be adjusted to reflect the following tax changes:
Ireland: Reduction of value-added tax rate on electronic newspapers and periodicals from 9% to 0% Luxembourg: Reduction of value-added tax rate from 17% to 16% Singapore: Increase of goods and services tax rate from 7% to 8% Zimbabwe: Increase of value-added tax rate from 14.5% to 15%“
Apple is also increasing the proceeds going to developers at the end of January in Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Tajikistan, Thailand, and Uzbekistan. You can find the complete list of updated pricing in Apple’s updated price tier charts (opens in new tab).
If you’re in any of these countries, you may want to take note of the pricing changes, which will be visible on the App Store across the best iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
Fashion Week has begun in Pokemon Go, and as part of the event, another legendary Pokemon has returned for a limited time. Yveltal is appearing in five-star raids once again until Oct. 8, giving you another chance to add one to your collection. On top of that, there’s a chance the Yveltal you encounter could be shiny.
Here are some tips to help you conquer Yveltal before it leaves the game again.
Yveltal raid hours
Yveltal is appearing in five-star raids from Sept. 27 to Oct. 8. These raids will occur periodically throughout this window, but you’ll have the best chances to encounter one on Sept. 28 and Oct. 5, during Pokemon Go’s weekly Raid Hour event. More Yveltal raids will be happening at gyms from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. local time on both evenings, giving you more opportunities to face off against the legendary Pokemon.
Yveltal weaknesses
Yveltal is a dark/flying Pokemon, which gives it a handful of fairly common weaknesses you can exploit. In particular, the legendary Pokemon is vulnerable to fairy, electric, ice and rock types, making those your best options to use when challenging an Yveltal raid.
Best Yveltal counters
Here are some recommended Pokemon and moves to use against Yveltal:
Fairy
Clefable: Charm, Dazzling Gleam.
Alolan Ninetales: Charm, Dazzling Gleam.
Granbull: Charm, Play Rough.
Gardevoir: Charm, Dazzling Gleam.
Togekiss: Charm, Dazzling Gleam.
Sylveon: Charm, Moonblast.
Electric
Zapdos: Thunder Shock, Thunderbolt.
Raikou: Thunder Shock, Wild Charge.
Mega Manectric: Thunder Fang, Wild Charge.
Electivire: Thunder Shock, Wild Charge.
Therian Forme Thundurus: Volt Switch, Thunderbolt.
Zekrom: Charge Beam, Wild Charge.
Rock
MegaAerodactyl: Rock Throw, Rock Slide.
Tyranitar: Smack Down, Stone Edge.
Regirock: Rock Throw, Stone Edge.
Rhyperior: Smack Down, Rock Wrecker.
Rampardos: Smack Down, Rock Slide.
Terrakion: Smack Down, Rock Slide.
Ice
Articuno: Frost Breath, Ice Beam.
Mamoswine: Powder Snow, Avalanche.
Weavile: Ice Shard, Avalanche.
Glaceon: Frost Breath, Avalanche.
Galarian Darmanitan: Ice Fang, Avalanche.
Avalugg: Ice Fang, Avalanche.
Best Yveltal moveset
Though it can make a solid dark-type attacker, Yveltal excels if it focuses on flying-type attacks. To deal the most damage, you’ll want to teach it the Fast Attack Gust and the Charged Attack Hurricane.
Fashion Week runs until Oct. 3. In addition to Yveltal, a handful of special Pokemon are appearing during the event, including the debuting Mareanie and fashionable versions of Diglett, Absol and Toxicroak.
The new Mac mini looks lovely, with its sleek shell and small footprint. Just one problem – there are no ports on the front. You can fix that with a dock for your Mac mini. They’re like plinths that you can sit your Mac on, and hold all the front-facing ports you could ever want. Some have SSD and HDD mounts on the inside as well, so you can upgrade the storage of your Mac mini without having to take up one of your USB ports with an external hard drive, or like, buy a new one.
There are loads of these docks out there, and working out which ones are the best can be a bit of an ordeal. Worry not – we know our way around a Mac mini dock or two, and we’ve found the best out there. It’s worth mentioning that the new Mac mini is a tiny bit bigger than the old model, so while all these docks will fit, there may be a little overhang. Unfortunately, there aren’t any brand-new ones that we can find, but as soon as we spot them, we’ll let you know.
Best docks for Mac Mini 2023
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For extra storage
This dock is made in the same aluminum finish as the Mac mini itself and gives you a bunch of extra ports. There are three extra USB ports for the front a pair of SD card slots, and a USB C port. The cool part is that there are two slots for extra storage underneath. Hidden below there is space for an SSD and a mini hard drive, so you can get a few extra gigs for your files.
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vertical stand
This stand will save you some horizontal space by putting your Mac mini vertically. You also get some extra ports, like three extra USB ports, a USB C port, a headphone jack, and a pair of SD card slots. There’s a power button on the side as well, so you won’t have to reach around the back of the machine to turn it on. It should help with cooling too.
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Satechi Type-C Stand & Hub
M.2 time
This dock matches the finish of the Mac mini that you’ll be plonking on top, and has a specific slot underneath to stick an M.2 SSD drive. The bottom is plastic, and it has little rubber feet to stop it from slipping around on the desk. The divet in the top means that the Mac mini sits properly, and it leaves a line around the bottom so there’s still room for cooling.
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sit-on-top
This dock is a little different, in that it sits on top of your Mac mini rather than the other way round. It comes with a whole bunch of ports, like three USB A ports, SD card slots and a USB C socket. It comes in Space Gray or Aluminum, so there’s one to match your Mac. There’s even a sneaky little hard drive inside, for some hidden extra storage.
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All of the ports
This dock has more pots than you can shake a stick at, including an extra four USB A ports, an HDMI port, a VGA port, and extra 3.5mm jacks for headphones and microphones. It’s also got a slot in the bottom for a 2.5-inch HDD or SSD, as well as silicon feet both on the bottom and between the Mac and the dock to negate vibration.
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For the studio too
This docking station is designed to be used with both the Mac mini and the bigger Mac Studio. There’s an HDMI port here in addition to the USB ports and the now requisite SD card slots. There’s also a hard drive cage inside to extend that storage, and the whole thing sits on vibration-dampening rubber feet so there won’t be any moving about.
Dock that Mac mini
If you’ve picked up a Mac mini recently, you’ll notice that it doesn’t have any ports on the front. There are plenty on the back, but those are a pain to get to when it’s sitting on your desk, sometimes slightly out of arm’s reach. One of these docks will make it a little easier to plug stuff in, as well as give you more ports.
The best in our minds on this list is the Satechi Dock. It’s made of aluminum and has a cooling divet for the Mac mini to sit in. You’ll get all the ports you could want, as well as a couple more on the back. You can even add storage with the SSD slot in the bottom. The feet will stop it from sliding around your desk as well, so everything is covered.
There are other docks for the best Macs as well. Maybe you want to find one of the best USB hubs for Mac, or even one of the best USB hubs for the MacBook Pro, so there’s one that fits with your MacBook.
Apple’s rumored Reality Pro headset will offer a way for users to build their own apps and then make them available on the App Store, according to a new report. Notably, those users won’t actually need to know how to code in order to do it.
There was already an expectation that Apple would give people a way to build apps for the unannounced mixed reality headset, but a new report adds that there will be a mechanism for people to do so even without the knowledge normally associated with creating apps for the best iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
Perhaps even more interesting is the way that people will create those apps. According to the report, Apple will allow development using Siri.
Hey Siri, make me an app
The Information (opens in new tab) reports that Apple intends to offer Siri as an “easy way for users” to build their own apps using real-world items. “The tool, for example, could allow users to build an app with virtual animals moving around a room and over or around real-life objects without the need to design the animal from scratch, program its animations, and calculate its movement in a 3D space with obstacles,” the report claims.
Apple’s headset is currently rumored for a release later this year, possibly this spring, with a price as high as $3,000 already touted. It still isn’t entirely clear how Apple intends to market the product itself, although allowing people to build their own apps in this way is something that hadn’t previously been considered.
What we do know is that the headset will be an impressive one from a technological point. Multiple cameras will track the wearer’s hands and body, while high-resolution displays will ensure a user experience that promises to be something special. As well it will need to be given that rumored asking price.
Apple experienced quite a reduction in the number of iPhones it shipped in the final quarter of 2022, but other smartphone makers had it even worse.
New data shared by IDC (opens in new tab) shows that the holiday quarter of 2022 saw Apple ship 72.3 million iPhones — enough for it to manage almost a full quarter of the market. But that number was a significant fall compared to the same quarter in 2021 despite the launch of the iPhone 14 lineup.
IDC’s numbers have Apple’s year-on-year change being a reduction of 14.9% for the holiday quarter, despite actually increasing its market share from 23.1%.
It could have been a lot worse
While IDC blames a showing smartphone market and weak demand for the figures, it’s important to note that Apple wasn’t the only struggling company.
“Worldwide smartphone shipments declined 18.3% year over year to 300.3 million units in the fourth quarter of 2022 (4Q22),” IDC notes. “2022 ended with shipments of 1.21 billion units, which represents the lowest annual shipment total since 2013 due to significantly dampened consumer demand, inflation, and economic uncertainties.”
As for the competition, they had it much, much worse.
Samsung saw a year-on-year fall of 15.6%, while Xiaomi was hit even harder — a fall of 26.3%. Oppo’s 15.9% reduction seems perfectly normal by comparison, as does the Vivo result of an 18.9% fall.
IDC also noted that Apple, typically insulated from such issues, suffered during 2022 due partly to its reliance on Chinese labor.
“Apple, which thus far was seemingly immune, suffered a setback in its supply chain with unforeseen lockdowns at its key factories in Chin,” the report adds.
All eyes will be on whether 2023 can fare any better, but with Apple set to refresh its best iPhones later this year, there is always hope that something new will kickstart sales. The iPhone 15 Pro Max promises a new camera system that could prove popular among those buying Apple’s high-end models.
2022 was a huge year for the ‘Pro’ iPhone, as Apple looked to broaden the gap between its regular iPhone offerings and its more premium ‘Pro’ devices. And the 2023 iPhone 15 Pro could make that gap a chasm.
The iPhone 14 Pro boasts a host of features that distinguish it from the iPhone 14, including the new A16 processor, the incredible Dynamic Island that replaces the notch, the powerful 48MP camera, and a new Always-On display.
With that in mind, rumors for this year indicate that Apple will continue to keep a wider gap between the regular and Pro iPhones and the iPhone 15. We know that 2023 is shaping up to be a major upgrade for the iPhone in a number of ways , not least in part thanks to the advent of USB-C in an iPhone for the first time. We’ve also heard about camera upgrades, new materials, and possibly a new shape and design for the first time since the iPhone 12.
So what can we expect from the iPhone 15 Pro? Could it actually be called the iPhone 15 Ultra? What new features will it bring, what will it share with its younger sibling the iPhone 15, and what will Apple decide to reserve for its most premium product, which is shaping up to be the best iPhone ever made?
iPhone 15 Pro: What’s in a name?
There are murmurings that at least one of Apple’s iPhone 15 models may be called the iPhone 15 ‘Ultra’. That would follow the unveiling of the Apple Watch Ultra last year as the company’s premium Apple Watch model. Now, this doesn’t sound like a rugged, outdoor-proof iPhone. Rather the name Ultra has been more increasingly used by Apple to denote its most-premium offerings, notably the M1 Ultra Apple silicon chip.
We could see a new iPhone 15 Ultra this year instead of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, with reports early January suggesting Apple hasn’t yet settled on a name. However, we have heard corroborating rumors that Apple could try to differentiate more between the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, possibly by changing its name.
(Image credit: Apple)
iPhone 15 Pro: Release date and price expectations
Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro is almost certainly set to be unveiled in September alongside the iPhone 15, in keeping with Apple’s standard launch cycle for the iPhone, which it has only missed once in recent years due to COVID-19.
The iPhone 15 Pro is expected to retain the same pricing structure as the current models, so beginning at $999/$1,099 respectively. The only rumored price change so far is a possible slight reduction in the price of the regular iPhone 15.
(Image credit: iMore)
iPhone 15 Pro: Sizes and models
The iPhone 14 Pro currently comes in two sizes, the smaller 6.1-inch model and the larger 6.7-inch Pro Max. According to the latest reports, Apple is set to retain this lineup, using all of the same sizes from the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro lineup.
That means we can expect two iPhone 15 Pro models this year in the same 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch sizes.
(Image credit: Apple)
iPhone 15 Pro: Processor
The iPhone’s processor is at the heart of the device and powers everything it does. It drives multitasking, your apps, and your iPhone’s camera. Last year we got the shiny new A16 processor in the iPhone 14 Pro. That model is expected to trickle down to the iPhone 15 this year.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro will reportedly get an all-new A17 processor that could mark a very big change. That’s because the new processor will be built on a new 3nm technology, which packs more power and punch into the same space compared to the current 5nm form Apple uses. 3nm is up to 15% faster at the same power levels as 5nm or can use up to 30% less power at the same speeds.
This means the new iPhone 15 Pro could be much, much faster than the current model, or perhaps more importantly, it may be much more efficient when it comes to battery life.
iPhone 15 Pro: Design and USB-C
(Image credit: Konstantin Milenin)
The iPhone 15 could introduce a new design language for the iPhone. We’ve had squared edges and a flat back since the iPhone 12, but new information indicates that Apple may drop this in favor of a slightly more curved back like the one in the concept image above.
It could see a new iPhone 15 that looks more like the old iPhone 5C, with a much more premium finish, of course.
On that note, there are reports, notably from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman (opens in new tab)that Apple will use a titanium frame for the iPhone 15 Pro instead of the aluminum of the current models.
Apple is also set to add USB-C to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro this year, in order to comply with new EU regulations stipulating it as the charger of choice for mobile devices.
(Image credit: iMore/Stephen Warwick)
iPhone 15 Pro: Display
2022 was a big year for the Pro iPhone’s display, so it seems natural that Apple will not make another similar leap this year. As such, there are no indicated rumors or reports of a major upgrade to the display coming to iPhone 15 Pro. Instead, we can reportedly expect an under-panel Face ID configuration in 2024.
That means we can likely expect the same 120Hz Super Retina XDR Display with ProMotion technology, which allows your iPhone’s refresh rate to drop to just 1Hz when you’re not using it, preserving battery life while showing an Always-On Display. It would also feature high contrast, and resolutions of 2556×1179-pixel resolution at 460 ppi and 2796×1290-pixel resolution at 460 ppi for the Pro and Pro Max (Ultra) respectively.
(Image credit: iMore/Stephen Warwick)
iPhone 15 Pro: Camera
The iPhone 15 Pro will reportedly bring a new periscope design to the iPhone 15 Pro Max only. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, that will mean 1/3″ 12MP, f/2.8, sensor-shift support, and 5–6x optical zoom for massively improved optical zoom features.
A periscope camera packs in more zoom features using a smaller amount of space by using angled mirrors like a periscope. Its introduction to the iPhone would allow Apple to offer much higher levels of optical zoom without increasing the size of the lens or the bump on the back of the devices.
iPhone 15 Pro: RAM and storage
While we haven’t heard anything about possible storage upgrades and changes for the iPhone 15 Pro, we have heard that it could get a whopping 8GB of RAM.
This would enable even speedier multitasking and more stable running of lots of different apps on your iPhone.
iPhone 15 Pro: Wi-Fi chip
A research note released in January 2023 from Barclay’s analysts Blayne Curtis and Tom O’Malley predicts that the iPhone 15 Pro models will feature a Wi-Fi 6E chip. The iPhone 14 lineup currently comes packed with Wi-Fi 6, so this will mark a decent upgrade for the upcoming Pro models.
Wi-Fi 6E, unlike Wi-Fi 6, is able to use the 6GHz band on top of the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. This enables faster, more reliable, and wider coverage for devices connected to a Wi-Fi 6E router. Apple has already upgraded the latest MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iPad Pro models to Wi-Fi 6E, so it’s not surprising to see this rumor for iPhones that will release in the fall of 2023.
iOS 16.4 could contain Apple’s second at-bat with its revamped Home architecture.
According to internal code spotted by MacRumorsApple is reportedly already testing a second version of its revamped architecture for the Home app, the company’s app that controls HomeKit-compatible smart home devices.
The company has already attempted to roll out this new architecture once when it released iOS 16.2 back in December 2022. While some users were able to upgrade without issue at the time, many reported problems like “HomeKit devices stuck in an ‘updating’ or ‘ configuring’ status, devices going missing entirely, invitations to share the Home with other users failing, HomeKit Secure Video recording not working, and more.”
Due to the issues, Apple pulled the ability to update to the new architecture and we haven’t seen it since.
Apple is looking to re-release it soon
Some were hoping to see it make a reliable return in iOS 16.3, but that software version launched yesterday with no update to the architecture for the Home app.
All we have heard from Apple so far is that the architecture upgrade will “return soon.” Since we’re starting to see leaks of internal testing, there’s a good chance the update will release as part of iOS 16.4. There’s currently no indication of when Apple plans to release this next version of the iPhone’s software.
If it will come out as part of iOS 16.4, we’ll likely be able to confirm that when the developer beta shows up. Since iOS 16.3 is now live, the company could release the first beta for iOS 16.4 as soon as this week.
One of the things that the new architecture will be able to take advantage of are the new automation features enabled by the temperature and humidity sensors in the new HomePod and HomePod mini. Apple turned on both sensors with HomePod software version 16.3 which launched earlier today.
Fashion Week is now underway in Pokemon Go, and as part of the event, Mega Lopunny is back in raids for a limited time. You’ll be able to encounter the Mega-Evolved Pokemon at gyms until Oct. 8, and each time you defeat one, you’ll earn energy to Mega Evolve your own Lopunny.
Here are some tips to help you beat the Mega Pokemon before it leaves the raid rotation.
Mega Lopunny raid hours
Mega Lopunny will be appearing in Mega raids from Sept. 27 to Oct. 8. These raids have a four-star difficulty, so you shouldn’t have much troubling defeating the Mega Pokemon if you team up with three or four other high-level players.
Mega Lopunny weaknesses
Though Lopunny is typically a pure normal-type Pokemon, it becomes part-fighting when it Mega Evolves, giving it a handful of additional weaknesses to exploit. Specifically, Mega Lopunny is vulnerable to psychic, flying, fairy and other fighting Pokemon.
Best Mega Lopunny counters
Here are some recommended Pokemon and moves to use when battling Mega Lopunny:
Psychic
Alakazam: Psycho Cut, Psychic.
Mewtwo: Confusion, Psystrike.
Metagross: Zen Headbutt, Psychic.
Latios: Zen Headbutt, Psychic.
Gallade: Confusion, Psychic.
Fairy
Clefable: Charm, Dazzling Gleam.
Granbull: Charm, Play Rough.
Gardevoir: Charm, Dazzling Gleam.
Togekiss: Charm, Dazzling Gleam.
Sylveon: Charm, Moonblast.
Flying
Mega Pidgeot: Wing Attack, Brave Bird.
Rayquaza: Air Slash, Hurricane.
Staraptor: Wing Attack, Brave Bird.
Braviary: Air Slash, Brave Bird.
Tornadus: Air Slash, Hurricane.
Fighting
Machamp: Counter, Dynamic Punch.
Heracross: Counter, Close Combat.
Breloom: Counter, Dynamic Punch.
Hariyama: Counter, Dynamic Punch.
Conkeldurr: Counter, Dynamic Punch.
Best moveset for Mega Lopunny
Mega Lopunny functions well either as a normal-type or fighting-type attacker. If you prefer to use it as the former, you’ll want to teach it the Fast Attack Pound and the Charged Attack Hyper Beam.
If you’d rather take advantage of its fighting typing, then you’ll want the Pokemon to know the Fast Attack Double Kick and the Charged Attack Focus Blast instead.
Fashion Week runs until Oct. 3. In addition to Mega Lopunny, Yveltal is back in five-star raids as part of the event, and a handful of special Pokemon are appearing in the wild, including Mareanie and fashionable versions of Diglett, Absol and Toxicroak.
A ton of new Apple software is live and there’s a lot in it.
Today, Apple released iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3, watchOS 9.3, macOS Ventura 13.2, and tvOS 16.3. There’s a lot to talk about so, rather than padding this second paragraph with some highlights, let’s dive right in.
Security keys
(Image credit: Apple)
One of the biggest updates with iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3, and macOS 13.2 Ventura is the support for Security Keys.
Apple says that Security Keys are designed for “users who, often due to their public profile, face concerted threats to their online accounts, such as celebrities, journalists, and members of government. For users who opt in, Security Keys strengthens Apple’s two- factor authentication by requiring a hardware security key as one of the two factors. This takes our two-factor authentication even further, preventing even an advanced attacker from obtaining a user’s second factor in a phishing scam.”
New method for making Emergency SOS calls
(Image credit: Apple)
As was reported a couple of weeks ago, iOS 16.3 has added a new way to make emergency calls from your iPhone. Before today’s release, pressing and holding the iPhone’s power and one of the volume buttons would start a countdown. Once the countdown was complete, that would initiate a call to emergency services.
With iOS 16.3, Apple has changed this method to “Call with Hold and Release.”
Now, as described by Apple, “Emergency SOS calls now require holding the side button with the up or down volume button and then releasing in order to prevent inadvertent emergency calls.”
Support for the new HomePod
(Image credit: Apple)
The latest version of iOS 16.3 and iPadOS 16.3 also adds support for the second-generation HomePod that Apple announced last week.
The new HomePod, which looks almost exactly the same as the original HomePod, comes packed with the S7 processor, a home temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor. The entire inside of the new smart speaker has been re-engineered, featuring five tweeters and four microphones for Siri requests phone calls.
The new smart speaker also features support for Thread and Matter, the new smart home connectivity standard that took CES by storm earlier this month.
The new HomePod comes in a color-way of Midnight or Silver and launches at $299, $50 less than the original HomePod. It is available to preorder now and will officially release on February 3rd.
The new Unity wallpaper for iPhone and Apple Watch
(Image credit: Apple)
iOS 16.3 and watchOS 9.3 add support for a new Unity wallpaper in celebration of Black History Month.
As Apple detailed in its press release (opens in new tab) Earlier this week, the Unity Mosaic watch face “incorporates geometric shapes in green, black, red, and yellow, and as the minutes change, each number uses pieces of other numbers to morph into new forms. iPhone users can also show their support with the new Unity wallpaper for their Lock Screen.”
The company has also released a new Black Unity Sport Loop which is available now on the Apple Store website and in select stores.
A ton of bug fixes
There’s a lot more across iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS. Here are some of the other highlights, which include a ton of bug fixes:
Fixes an issue in Freeform where some drawing strokes created with Apple Pencil or your finger may not appear on shared boards
Addresses an issue where the wallpaper may appear black on the Lock Screen
Fixes an issue where horizontal lines may temporarily appear while waking up iPhone 14 Pro Max
Fixes an issue where the Home Lock Screen widget does not accurately display Home app status
Addresses an issue where Siri may not respond properly to music requests
Resolves issues where Siri requests in CarPlay may not be understood correctly
Fixes an issue where VoiceOver may stop offering audio feedback while you are typing
It’s all available now
iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3, watchOS 9.3, macOS Ventura 13.2, and tvOS 16.3 are all available to download now on compatible devices.
So, if you aren’t doing anything tonight, feel free to spend it updating all of your Apple devices!
