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Spatial Personas Coming to Apple Vision Pro in Beta Today

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Apple today announced that Spatial Personas are now available for all Vision Pro users in a public beta.

Spatial Persona Apple
Apple previewed Spatial Personas at WWDC last year. Unlike the existing Personas feature, which is confined to a tile and facial expressions only, Spatial Personas allow Vision Pro users to “break out of the familiar FaceTime tile and feel more present, like they are gathered in the same physical space.” They feature a transparent background and are able to show body language and additional movement such as hand gestures for a more lifelike experience.

Spatial Personas are independent of a visionOS software update or beta, but require ‌visionOS‌ 1.1 or later. The feature is available during ‌FaceTime‌ calls and supports up to five participants at once. Inverse and Road to VR today shared first impressions of the new feature.

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Top Stories: WWDC 2024 Announced, New iPads Delayed, and More

Apple’s WWDC 2024 dates have been announced, giving us timing for the unveiling of the company’s next round of major operating system updates and likely some other announcements. This week also saw some disappointing news on the iPad front, with update timing for the iPad Pro and iPad Air pushed back from previous rumors. We did hear some new tidbits about what might be coming in iOS 18 and…

Apple to Launch New iPad Pro and iPad Air Models in May

Apple will introduce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in early May, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Gurman previously suggested the new iPads would come out in March, and then April, but the timeline has been pushed back once again. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Apple is working on updates to both the iPad Pro and iPad Air models. The iPad Pro models will…

Apple Says iPhone 6 Plus Now ‘Obsolete’ and iPad Mini 4 Now ‘Vintage’

Apple today added a handful of devices to its public-facing vintage and obsolete products list, including some older iPhone and iPad models. Apple now considers the iPhone 6 Plus to be “obsolete” worldwide, meaning that Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers no longer offer repairs or other hardware service for the device. Apple says it considers a product “obsolete” once seven…

What to Expect From iOS 17.5

Apple has yet to release the first beta of iOS 17.5 for the iPhone, but two changes are already expected with the upcoming software update. iOS 17.5 will likely allow iPhone users in the EU to download apps directly from the websites of eligible developers, and the update might include some changes to how Apple ID recovery contacts work. More details about these potential changes follow. W…

Criminals in Montreal Using AirTags to Steal Vehicles

Thieves in Montreal, Canada have been using Apple’s AirTags to facilitate vehicle theft, according to a report from Vermont news sites WCAX and NBC5 (via 9to5Mac). Police officers in Burlington, Vermont have issued a warning about AirTags for drivers who recently visited Canada. Two Burlington residents found Apple AirTags in their vehicles after returning from trips to Montreal, and these…

Google Reveals When to Expect RCS Support on iPhone for Improved Texting With Android Users

In November, Apple announced that the iPhone would support the cross-platform messaging standard RCS (Rich Communication Services) in the Messages app starting “later” in 2024, and Google has now revealed a more narrow timeframe. In a since-deleted section of the revamped Google Messages web page, spotted by 9to5Google, Google said that Apple would be adopting RCS on the iPhone in the “fall…

Apple Card Savings Account to Receive First-Ever Interest Rate Decrease

Nearly one year after it launched in the U.S., the Apple Card’s high-yield savings account will be receiving its first-ever interest rate decrease. Starting on April 3, the Apple Card savings account’s annual percentage yield (APY) will be lowered to 4.4%, according to data on Apple’s backend discovered by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. The account currently has a 4.5% APY. 4.4% will …

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Spatial Personas Available on Vision Pro Today With visionOS 1.2 Beta

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Spatial Personas will be available on Apple’s Vision Pro headset starting today with the upcoming visionOS 1.2 beta, according to Road to VR.

Spatial Persona Apple

Inverse‘s Raymond Wong shared his first impressions of Spatial Personas.

More details to follow…

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Top Stories: WWDC 2024 Announced, New iPads Delayed, and More

Apple’s WWDC 2024 dates have been announced, giving us timing for the unveiling of the company’s next round of major operating system updates and likely some other announcements. This week also saw some disappointing news on the iPad front, with update timing for the iPad Pro and iPad Air pushed back from previous rumors. We did hear some new tidbits about what might be coming in iOS 18 and…

Apple to Launch New iPad Pro and iPad Air Models in May

Apple will introduce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in early May, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Gurman previously suggested the new iPads would come out in March, and then April, but the timeline has been pushed back once again. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Apple is working on updates to both the iPad Pro and iPad Air models. The iPad Pro models will…

Apple Says iPhone 6 Plus Now ‘Obsolete’ and iPad Mini 4 Now ‘Vintage’

Apple today added a handful of devices to its public-facing vintage and obsolete products list, including some older iPhone and iPad models. Apple now considers the iPhone 6 Plus to be “obsolete” worldwide, meaning that Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers no longer offer repairs or other hardware service for the device. Apple says it considers a product “obsolete” once seven…

What to Expect From iOS 17.5

Apple has yet to release the first beta of iOS 17.5 for the iPhone, but two changes are already expected with the upcoming software update. iOS 17.5 will likely allow iPhone users in the EU to download apps directly from the websites of eligible developers, and the update might include some changes to how Apple ID recovery contacts work. More details about these potential changes follow. W…

Criminals in Montreal Using AirTags to Steal Vehicles

Thieves in Montreal, Canada have been using Apple’s AirTags to facilitate vehicle theft, according to a report from Vermont news sites WCAX and NBC5 (via 9to5Mac). Police officers in Burlington, Vermont have issued a warning about AirTags for drivers who recently visited Canada. Two Burlington residents found Apple AirTags in their vehicles after returning from trips to Montreal, and these…

Google Reveals When to Expect RCS Support on iPhone for Improved Texting With Android Users

In November, Apple announced that the iPhone would support the cross-platform messaging standard RCS (Rich Communication Services) in the Messages app starting “later” in 2024, and Google has now revealed a more narrow timeframe. In a since-deleted section of the revamped Google Messages web page, spotted by 9to5Google, Google said that Apple would be adopting RCS on the iPhone in the “fall…

Apple Card Savings Account to Receive First-Ever Interest Rate Decrease

Nearly one year after it launched in the U.S., the Apple Card’s high-yield savings account will be receiving its first-ever interest rate decrease. Starting on April 3, the Apple Card savings account’s annual percentage yield (APY) will be lowered to 4.4%, according to data on Apple’s backend discovered by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. The account currently has a 4.5% APY. 4.4% will …

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When Will Apple Release the iOS 17.5 Beta?

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With iOS software releases, it is typical for Apple to be constantly iterating. When a new version of iOS comes out, a new iOS beta almost always follows the day after. iOS 17.4 was released on Tuesday, March 5, and no iOS 17.5 beta followed as is typical. So when might Apple provide the first iOS 17.5 beta?

iOS 17
It’s now been more than three weeks since the launch of iOS 17.4, and pauses like this are unusual, but not unheard of. Sometimes there are droughts because of major features, or holidays, and in this case, it could be both.

Apple is still navigating the app ecosystem changes that were introduced in iOS 17.4, and there are tweaks coming. Apple planned to allow third-party apps to be downloaded only from alternative app marketplaces, but now alternative apps will be provided directly from websites too. The option to download an app from a website has not been introduced as of yet, and it is an unexpected change, so it likely requires some behind the scenes work. There are also other potential changes that Apple must make in the EU as the European Commission investigates its compliance, another factor that may be eating up resources.

This weekend marks the Easter holiday, and holidays can sometimes cause betas to be pushed back too.

When considering these factors, it makes some sense that we haven’t yet had an iOS 17.5 beta. Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman said on Thursday that Apple’s “beta 1 development finishes next week,” which suggests that we could see a beta release next week or the week after.

Here are the wait times between .4 public releases and .5 first developer betas from prior years:

  • iOS 13 – 7 days
  • iOS 14 – 6 days
  • iOS 15 – 22 days
  • iOS 16 – 1 day

If iOS 17.5 is released on April 2, it will be 28 days between the prior release and the beta software, and if it comes a week after that, it will have been 35 days.

After the beta does go out, we’ll likely see a release sometime during the month of May. Prior .5 public releases have happened on May 18, May 16, April 26, and May 20.

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Samsung Internet beta update adds persistent menu bars when scrolling

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Last updated: March 22nd, 2024 at 18:02 UTC+01:00

Samsung has done an excellent job avoiding feature creep when it comes to Samsung Internet, its in-house browser for Android devices. The company doesn’t add new features very often, and the ones it does add go to the beta version of the app before coming to the stable version.

Samsung tests both major and minor features in the beta version, and the latest feature falls in the latter camp. The Samsung Internet beta app has received an update that adds a new option that, when enabled, prevents the menu bars from disappearing when you scroll through a website.

Latest Samsung Internet beta update adds option for persistent menu bars

Most browsers for smartphones hide all of their menus, including the address bar, when the user is scrolling. It’s something most people don’t notice or care about, but those who do, and perhaps find it irritating, can disable that behavior in the newest version of Samsung Internet beta.

The option, which is called Show menu bars while scrolling can be accessed from the app’s Settings » Layout and menus section. Once it’s enabled, menu bars at both the top and bottom will remain visible at all times.

The latest version, 25.0.0.31, of Samsung Internet beta also fixes bugs and improves general stability. It can be downloaded from the Galaxy Store. The app is also available on the Play Store, but the Galaxy Store is recommended as it receives updates faster. If you wish to manually install it without using any app store, you can download the latest APK file from APKMirror.

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Proton’s Windows and macOS mail app is out of beta and available now

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Proton, the privacy-focused company that offers a variety of internet tools like mail, calendars, online storage and a password manager, continues to built out its portfolio. As of today, Proton’s desktop mail app for Windows and macOS is out of beta and now available to all its paid users. At the same time, Proton is also releasing its app for Linux users in beta.

If you’ve used Proton Mail before (or any recent / modern mail client), the app won’t be a surprise —it’s the standard three-pane view, with different folders on the left, a list of message in the middle and a preview of the message contents on the right. Like in Gmail, there’s a right-hand rail that has icons for your contacts and calendar that’ll expand to show the selected item if you click them. But for more calendar details, there’s a button to switch the whole window view from mail to calendar and back. Proton Drive and Proton Pass already have a desktop app, but for now Proton is keeping it separate from mail and calendar, which makes sense. Those two tools go hand-in-hand, but storage is kind of its own thing.

Proton Calendar desktop app

Proton

While the new mail app doesn’t improve on or change the design of Proton’s web tools in any major way, I can say that the beta app felt quite responsive in a little testing I did. And while I wouldn’t mind more than a slightly tweaked web wrapper (being able to draft an email in its own window would be nice), I do prefer keeping my email out of my browser window. I’m sure there are other Proton users who feel the same way and will find this app pretty handy for that.

If you’re not currently paying for Proton Mail, you can give the new app a try for two weeks, but after that you’ll need to upgrade your account to keep using it. The Mail Plus plan costs $4/month if you sign up for a year, or you can get Proton Unlimited for $10 per month with a year plan that includes 500GB of storage (instead of 15GB for Mail Plus) and Proton Drive, Pass and VPN.

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Spotify Begins Rolling Out Music Videos in Beta Across 11 Countries

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Spotify today announced support for music videos, a new feature the streaming service describes as a “beta” with a limited catalog that is available in 11 markets.

spotify music videos
Music videos for supported tracks will show up in the Now Playing screen for Spotify Premium users in the UK, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Brazil, Colombia, Philippines, Indonesia, and Kenya.

A “Switch to Video” icon appears above the song title in supported music tracks. Tapping starts the song from the beginning with accompanying video within the Now Playing view, which can also be rotated to landscape orientation on iPhone and Android.

Supported artists include Ed Sheeran, Doja Cat, Ice Spice, Aluna, and Asake, and the videos can also be accessed on desktop or smart TVs. Spofity told TechCrunch that its full music catalog will eventually include “thousands” of songs.

Previously, video content on Spotify has been limited to video podcasts and short repeating music video clips when a song plays. Apple Music has included its own music video catalog for six years now. The feature was introduced with the release of iOS 11.3 in March 2018.

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iPhone 16 Pro Expected Later This Year With These 10 New Features

While the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are still around six months away from launching, there are already many rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped new features and changes expected so far. These are some of the key changes rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models as of March 2024:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with larger 6.3-inch…

Apple Preparing iOS 17.4.1 Update for iPhone

Apple appears to be internally testing iOS 17.4.1 for the iPhone, based on evidence of the software update in our website’s logs this week. Our logs have revealed the existence of several iOS 17 versions before Apple released them, ranging from iOS 17.0.3 to iOS 17.3.1. iOS 17.4.1 should be a minor update that addresses software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. It is unclear when…

iPhone SE 4 Expected to Depreciate Heavily

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2024 iPad Pro: Key Rumors to Be Aware of Ahead of Announcement

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iOS 17.4 Now Available With These 12 Changes for Your iPhone

iOS 17.4 was released last week following over a month of beta testing, and the update includes many new features and changes for the iPhone. iOS 17.4 introduces major changes to the App Store, Safari, and Apple Pay in the EU, in response to the Digital Markets Act. Other new features include Apple Podcasts transcripts, an iMessage security upgrade, new emoji options, and more. Below, we…

Gurman: New iPads to Launch Towards ‘End of March’ or April

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Here Are All the M3 Macs Still Expected This Year

Earlier this week, Apple announced new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models, the first Mac updates of the year featuring M3 series chips. But there are other Macs in Apple’s lineup still to be updated to the latest M3 processors. So, where do the Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro fit into Apple’s M3 roadmap for the year ahead? Here’s what the latest rumors say. Mac Mini Apple announced …

Gurman: AirPods Pro to Gain ‘Hearing Aid Mode’ in iOS 18

AirPods Pro will gain a new “hearing aid mode” with the release of iOS 18 later this year, according to the latest report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Writing in the subscriber edition of his regular Power On newsletter, Gurman claims that the “big news” for AirPods Pro in the near term will be support for a hearing aid-style function when iOS 18 drops in the fall. To be clear, this isn’t …

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Apple releases visionOS 1.1 beta 3 for the Vision Pro

VisionOS 1.1 beta 3

Apple has launched visionOS 1.1 beta 3 for the Apple Vision Pro, closely following the release of the initial beta version of visionOS. Along with this, Apple has released a series of other beta versions, including macOS Sonoma 14.4, iOS 17.3 beta 4, iPadOS 17.3 beta 4, and watchOS 10.4 beta 4.

This update enhances the Persona Setup by integrating user feedback, improving the overall natural feel and the visual functionality for a better user experience. It also introduces a contact key verification feature to enhance security, offering users the choice to activate or deactivate this feature to ensure compatibility with the latest devices, emphasizing Apple’s dedication to user privacy.

Furthermore, the software update introduces a variety of new emojis, in line with the iOS 17.4 beta releases, expanding expression options and making it more inclusive with emojis designed for individuals with visual impairments and those who utilize mobility aids. It also incorporates the Find My service with an activation lock feature, augmenting security by preventing the unauthorized erasure and reactivation of devices, even if this feature is not immediately visible in the Find My app on iPhone.

Additionally, VisionOS 1.1 Beta 3 allows users to change their passwords directly on their device, making the process of device wiping and setup with Activation Lock easier, as long as the iCloud ID is known. This eliminates the need to contact support for password resets. The new visionOS 1.1 beta 3 is now available for developers to try out.

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Another look at iOS 17.4 beta 4 (Video)

iOS 17.4 beta 4

Apple’s latest beta update to its operating system, iOS 17.4 beta 4, has been making waves. This iteration brings a suite of enhancements aimed at refining the user experience. For aficionados and casual users alike, understanding these updates can provide a glimpse into the future of mobile technology. Let’s delve into the nitty-gritty of what this update holds.

Perhaps the most noteworthy change is in the battery settings for the iPhone 15 series. Instead of displaying the battery health as a percentage, users will now see a “normal” status. This is complemented by detailed information about the battery’s maximum capacity percentage, cycle count, and manufacturing date. This shift aims to alleviate concerns over battery health degradation. Moreover, the update includes insights into expected battery performance and warranty specifics, ensuring users that the original battery is crafted to retain 80% capacity after 1,000 cycles under optimal conditions.

The introduction of CarPlay 2.0 support in select 2024 car models, including Porsche and Aston Martin, stands out. This enhancement elevates the Apple Maps experience on CarPlay with an innovative instrument cluster display, making navigation more intuitive than ever.

Apple has addressed several bugs, including the correction of wallpaper darkness on the iPhone 15 Pro series and the restoration of missing sensitive content warning icons. Moreover, the overall performance and battery life are stable, with expectations of slight improvements over the previous beta version.

Anticipation is building for the next update, likely the Release Candidate (RC) version of iOS 17.4. This upcoming version is especially significant for users in the EU, with changes pertaining to app sideloading on the horizon. The new iOS 17.4 beta 4 is now available for both developers and public beta testers to try out.

Source & Image Credit: Brandon Butch

Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Top News





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Apple releases watchOS 10.4 beta 3 (Video)

watchOS 10.4

Apple has released watchOS 10.4 beta 3 for the Apple Watch, they also released iOS 17.4 beta 3 for the iPhone and iPadOS 17.4 beta 3 for the iPad. Now we get to find out what is new in the latest beta of Apple’s watchOS 10.4 from Half Man Half Tech.

First and foremost, the update introduces a significant improvement to the Blood Oxygen app. Now, you can take blood oxygen measurements without needing your Apple Watch to be charged to at least 80%. This is a game-changer for users prioritizing health monitoring, ensuring that you won’t have to wait for your device to charge fully before accessing vital health data.

In celebration of heart health, Apple has introduced a new Apple Heart Month activity challenge. Kicking off on Valentine’s Day, this challenge is a timely reminder of the importance of heart health, encouraging users to stay active and engaged with their wellness goals.

For those who enjoy expressing themselves through emojis, the update does not disappoint. New emoji additions include shaking heads in various directions and an array of new food emojis, enriching your messaging and communication.

Siri also receives noteworthy updates, with users in Germany now able to activate Siri without the “Hey Siri” phrase. Furthermore, Siri’s language capabilities are expanded, allowing the assistant to listen and read messages in multiple languages, enhancing the user experience for non-English speakers.

We are expecting Apple to release watchOS 10.4 next month along with IOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4, the new watchOS 10.4 beta 3 is now available for developers to download.

Source & Image Credit: Half Man Half Tech

Filed Under: Apple, Gadgets News





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What’s new in visionOS 1.1 Beta 2 (Video)

visionOS 1.1 Beta 2

The recent video from Zollotech has meticulously covered the enhancements and refinements introduced in VisionOS 1.1 beta 2. Let’s dive deeper into what these updates entail and how they aim to enrich your user experience.

The release of VisionOS 1.1 beta 2 didn’t come alone; it was part of a broader series of updates that included iOS, watchOS, macOS, tvOS, and HomePod OS. For Apple Vision Pro users, this update is a compact yet significant 481 MB download that promises to elevate your interaction with the device.

You will be pleased to know that this beta version, identified by the build number 21105188C, focuses on enhancing both stability and performance. Users can expect a notable improvement in how the device tracks movement, with reduced sensitivity to head movements and increased tracking precision. These tweaks mean smoother and more natural interactions with your Vision Pro.

Key Features and Enhancements

  • Optic ID and Persona Upgrade: The update takes your digital representation to the next level with improved verification processes and a richer, more detailed avatar representation.
  • Proximity Warning: Safety first! A new proximity warning feature alerts you if your eyes are too close to the display, suggesting the use of a thicker cushion for added safety.
  • Accessibility Improvements: VisionOS 1.1 beta 2 expands its accessibility features, refining voice control commands and bolstering support for voiceover, zoom, spoken content, and audio descriptions.
  • Environmental Sounds and Scenes: Immerse yourself in new environments like Mount Hood and Joshua Tree, although some are still marked as “coming soon.” These additions promise to enhance your immersive experience further.
  • Motion and Tracking Enhancements: Enjoy smoother and more responsive interactions thanks to improved motion reduction and tracking accuracy.
  • Stability and Performance: Users can expect a stable experience with no reported crashes and enhanced performance across various applications, including Safari.

Continuous Improvement and Anticipation for Future Updates

While this update brings several refinements to the table, it’s clear that the journey doesn’t end here. The video highlights ongoing issues and areas for improvement, ensuring users that the development team is committed to addressing these challenges. Moreover, there’s a palpable anticipation for future updates, like VisionOS 1.2, with expectations for continued enhancements and regulatory compliance.

Source & Image Credit: Zollotech

Filed Under: Apple, Gadgets News, Top News





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