Tag: iOS

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Apple Releases First Public Beta of iOS 17.5

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date April 4, 2024
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Apple today seeded the first betas of upcoming iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 updates to public beta testers, allowing non-developers to test the software ahead of its release. The public iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 betas come two days after Apple released the betas for developers.

iOS 17
Public beta testers can get the beta by opening up the Settings app, going to the Software Update section, tapping on the “Beta Updates” option, and toggling on the iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 Public Beta. Signing up on Apple’s beta testing website is required.

iOS 17.5 is limited on new outward-facing features, focusing primarily on changes in the European Union. App developers in the EU are now able to add their iPhone apps to their website, so that users can download them directly without having to use the App Store.

To offer an app for download from a website in the European Union, developers need to meet specific criteria. Developers need to be a member of the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more and must have an app with more than one million first installs on iOS in the European Union in the prior year. Other requirements include submitting to Apple’s notarization process and publishing transparent data collection policies.

This feature is limited to the European Union due to the Digital Markets Act and is not available to all users.

Here’s Everything New in iOS 17.5 Beta 1 So Far

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date April 3, 2024
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Apple this week made the first betas of iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 available to developers for testing. The upcoming software updates include only a few new user-facing features so far, but hidden code changes reveal some additional possibilities.

iOS 17
Below, we have recapped everything new in the first iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 betas so far.

Web Distribution

apple ios app store safari changes
Starting with iOS 17.5, iPhone users in the EU will be able to download iOS apps directly from the websites of select developers.

Apple previously announced that “Web Distribution” would be available starting “later this spring” with an upcoming software update for the iPhone, and the first beta of iOS 17.5 includes newly-added code to support the feature.

“Web Distribution” will be limited to larger developers based in the EU. To qualify for this distribution method, Apple says the developer must be a member of the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more, and have an app that had more than one million annual installs on iOS in the EU in the prior calendar year.

“Web Distribution” builds upon the alternative app marketplaces that Apple already allows on the iPhone in the EU starting with iOS 17.4. Apple has made these app-related changes to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act.

Color-Changing Apple Podcasts Widget

While listening to a podcast on the iOS 17.5 beta, the background color of the Apple Podcasts widget changes to match the podcast’s cover art. This feature was first added in the iOS 17.4 beta, but it was removed before that update was released.

Code Changes

Battery Health Menu for Future iPads

iPad Battery Feature
The first iPadOS 17.5 beta includes several new references to a Battery Health menu on the iPad, but the feature is not actually visible yet. The menu is expected to show an iPad battery’s maximum remaining capacity and cycle count.

A sample of the code strings added in the iPadOS 17.5 beta:

“iPad must be regularly used while not connected to power to show maximum capacity.”
“This is the number of times iPad has used your battery’s capacity.”
“The iPad battery is performing as expected.”
“iPad batteries, like all rechargeable batteries, have a limited lifespan and may eventually need to be serviced or replaced.”
“The original battery was designed to retain X capacity at X cycles under ideal conditions. Actual battery performance depends on a number of variables, including how iPad is used and charged regularly. The one-year warranty includes service for defective batteries in addition to rights provided under local consumer laws.”

There is no visible Battery Health menu on any existing iPad models on the first iPadOS 17.5 beta, leading us to believe that the menu may be limited to the new iPad Pro and iPad Air models that are rumored to launch in May, and likely other new iPads released in the future. Apple has shown battery capacity information on iPhones for many years, but cycle count information is currently limited to the latest iPhone 15 series.

New Apple Pencil

The first beta of iOS 17.5 potentially references a new fourth-generation Apple Pencil, amid rumors that the accessory will be updated soon.

The beta includes a hidden code reference to a “V4” version of the Apple Pencil:

NumberOfApplePencilV1ConnectionsCount
NumberOfApplePencilV2ConnectionsCount
NumberOfApplePencilV3ConnectionsCount
NumberOfApplePencilV4ConnectionsCount

A new Apple Pencil is rumored to launch alongside updated iPad Pro and iPad Air models in May. Apple refers to the USB-C version of the Apple Pencil released last year as the third-generation Apple Pencil in iOS code, so the fourth-generation model would be a new version that would likely succeed the second-generation Apple Pencil.

Additional code in the iOS 17.5 beta suggests that the Apple Pencil could gain a “squeeze” gesture for certain actions, but details are slim.

Third-Party Item Tracker Alerts

AirTag and iPhone Notification Feature
Apple and Google last year jointly announced a proposed industry specification to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth item trackers for unwanted tracking of individuals. As part of this initiative, Apple promised to expand AirTag-like “Found Moving With You” alerts to third-party item trackers in a future software update, which may be iOS 17.5.

The first iOS 17.5 beta adds references to alerts for third-party item trackers. For example: “You can disable this item and stop it from sharing its location with the owner. To do this, follow the instructions provided on a website by the manufacturer of this item.”

Tile, Chipolo, Samsung, Eufy, and Pebblebee all expressed support for the industry specification, according to Apple’s announcement last year.

Block All Participants in Group FaceTime Calls

iOS 17.5 beta code indicates that there may be a new “Block All Participants” option for group FaceTime calls, which could help users to fight spam. We have not confirmed if the feature is functional yet in the first beta.

Wrap Up

iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 will likely be released to the public in May.

If you find any other new features or changes in the iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 betas, let us know in the comments section, or by emailing [email protected].

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Tags Beta, Heres, iOS

News

iOS 17.5 Might Expand ‘Found Moving With You’ Alerts to Third-Party Item Trackers

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date April 3, 2024
No Comments on iOS 17.5 Might Expand ‘Found Moving With You’ Alerts to Third-Party Item Trackers

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Apple and Google last year jointly announced a proposed industry specification to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth item trackers for unwanted tracking of individuals. As part of this initiative, Apple promised to expand AirTag-like “Found Moving With You” alerts to third-party item trackers in a future software update, which may be iOS 17.5.

AirTag and iPhone Notification Feature
MacRumors contributor Steve Moser uncovered several new references to alerts for third-party item trackers in the first beta of iOS 17.5, released this week. For example: “You can disable this item and stop it from sharing its location with the owner. To do this, follow the instructions provided on a website by the manufacturer of this item.”

Tile, Chipolo, Samsung, Eufy, and Pebblebee all expressed support for the industry specification, according to Apple’s announcement last year.

iOS 17.5 is expected to be released to the public in May.

iOS 17.5 beta 1: All the new features and changes

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date April 3, 2024
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Following a lull of a few weeks, Apple seeded the first beta of iOS 17.5 to developers Tuesday. While iOS 17.4 was a big release, iOS 17.5 beta 1 packs relatively minor (albeit important) changes.

Below are all the changes we have spotted in the first iOS 17.5 beta.

iOS 17.5 beta 1: What’s new and changed

iOS 17.5 likely will be Apple’s last major iOS 17 release before WWDC24 in June. So, the absence of a headlining new feature is not surprising. Instead, the OS will build on the EU-specific changes iOS 17.4 introduced.

Directly sideload apps from developer websites

In early March 2024, Apple announced Web Distribution, allowing EU devs to offer users a way to install apps directly from their websites. This feature is present in iOS 17.5 beta 1.

Devs must accept the new App Store business terms to distribute apps directly from their website. Among other things, this includes paying a Core Technology Fee of €0.50 for every app install after the initial 1 million limit is exhausted. All apps will also have to adhere to Apple’s notarization guidelines.

Third-party tile tracking

After a bit of confusion, Lufthansa says it won't ban AirTags from checked baggage.

9to5Mac unearthed code in iOS 17.5 beta 1 pointing to new anti-stalking features. It appears the Find My app will gain the ability to track non-Apple tracking tags and devices used for stalking. You apparently can disable such devices and prevent them from sharing their locations.

In May 2023, Apple and Google joined forces to fight location-tracker abuse. The new Find My feature could be a part of that network.

Small changes in iOS 17.5, big changes in iOS 18

Barring the two notable changes above, iOS 17.5 beta 1 packs minor interface tweaks. The relatively light changes are not surprising. Future beta releases are also unlikely to change this, with Apple instead focusing on iOS 18 for later this year. We expect big changes like AI integration, additional iPhone Home Screen customization options, upgraded Apple Maps with custom routes and more in iOS 18.

If your iPhone is on the stable iOS 17.4 build, there’s no reason for you to install the latest beta given the lack of headlining new features.

Since the iOS 17.5 beta cycle has just begun, its stable build should land in May.

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Tags Beta, features, iOS

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iOS 17.5 Potentially References New Apple Pencil and ‘Squeeze’ Gesture

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date April 3, 2024
No Comments on iOS 17.5 Potentially References New Apple Pencil and ‘Squeeze’ Gesture

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The first beta of iOS 17.5 potentially references a new fourth-generation Apple Pencil, amid rumors that the accessory will be updated soon.

The beta includes a hidden code reference to a “V4” version of the Apple Pencil, according to MacRumors contributor Steve Moser:

NumberOfApplePencilV1ConnectionsCount
NumberOfApplePencilV2ConnectionsCount
NumberOfApplePencilV3ConnectionsCount
NumberOfApplePencilV4ConnectionsCount

Additional code in the iOS 17.5 beta uncovered by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris suggests that the Apple Pencil could gain a “squeeze” gesture for certain actions, but details are slim. The gesture may provide users with a quicker way to add a sticker, text box, signature, or shape in image editing apps, the code suggests.

MacRumors exclusively reported that Apple has tested a new Apple Pencil with visionOS support, but it is unclear if this feature will be released to the public.

Apple finally begins beta testing iOS 17.5, macOS Sonoma 14.5

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date April 2, 2024
No Comments on Apple finally begins beta testing iOS 17.5, macOS Sonoma 14.5

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Apple Devices Spring 2024 — There are fresh operating system betas for all types of Apple computers.
*Photo: Apple*

After a wait that stretched out weeks longer than usual, Apple seeded the first beta of iOS 17.5 to developers Tuesday, along with the initial beta of macOS Sonoma 14.5.

And it’s going to be a very busy day for developers because iPadOS 17.5 beta 1, watchOS 10.5 beta 1, tvOS 17.5 beta 1 and visionOS 1.2 beta 1 also all went out.

iOS 17.5, macOS Sonoma 14.5 are ready for developers to start testing

Work on all Apple’s operating systems is virtually continuous, and the Mac-maker traditionally releases betas of upcoming OS versions the day after the full previous version goes to all users. That’s not what happened this time.

iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 went to the public on March 5, while macOS Sonoma 14.4, watchOS 10.4, etc., debuted March 7. Apple made developers wait almost a month for betas for the follow-up versions. Still, they are out now.

They are likely to bring new features and changes, but they have just been seeded to devs so there’s been no time to determine what the differences are yet.

The build numbers for the just-released betas end in “f” (in a countdown to “a”), giving Apple plenty of space before the final releases.

Just for devs

Currently, the first round of OS betas for iPhone, Mac, iPad and Apple TV are available only for those in Apple’s developer program.

Those in Apple’s free public beta program will gain access, too, but that might take a while. If Apple follows its usual habits, the second round of betas won’t arrive for two weeks.

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Tags Apple, begins, Beta, finally, iOS, macOS, Sonoma, testing

News

Apple Seeds First Betas of iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 to Developers

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date April 2, 2024
No Comments on Apple Seeds First Betas of iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 to Developers

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Apple today seeded the first betas of upcoming iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming two weeks after Apple released iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4.

iOS 17
Registered developers are able to opt into the betas by opening up the Settings app, going to the Software Update section, tapping on the “Beta Updates” option, and toggling on the iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 Developer Beta. An Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.

Most of the features that Apple promised would be coming in ‌iOS 17‌ have now been released, but iOS 17.5 is expected to introduce additional app ecosystem changes in the European Union. App developers will be able to offer apps for download on the iPhone directly from their websites, in addition to through app marketplaces.

iOS 17.5 Lets EU iPhone Users Download Apps From Websites

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date April 2, 2024
No Comments on iOS 17.5 Lets EU iPhone Users Download Apps From Websites

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Apple today released the first beta of iOS 17.5 to developers, and as expected, the update introduces support for downloading apps from developer websites in the European Union.

Apple EU iOS Changes
In iOS 17.4, Apple began allowing developers to offer their apps through alternative app marketplaces in the European Union to comply with the Digital Markets Act. Apple initially intended for apps to only be available through these marketplaces, but in March, Apple said that it would in fact be adding support for downloading apps directly from websites.

Apple will provide authorized developers with an API that allows them to offer their apps for download via the web. Apps downloaded this way will be able to be backed up, restored, updated, and more.

This is the first time that Apple has sanctioned downloading an app directly from a website. Support for this feature will allow apps like Spotify, Fortnite, and others to be downloaded directly on iPhones should the developers behind those apps opt in to Apple’s terms.

Apps offered through the web do not have to pay any commission to Apple, but they are subject to the 0.50 euro Core Technology Fee.

As with alternative app marketplaces, app downloads from the web are available in the European Union only under the terms of the DMA. Note that apps can only be downloaded this way on the iPhone as the changes do not apply to the iPad.

Alleged iOS 18 Design Resource Reveals visionOS-Like Redesign

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date April 2, 2024
No Comments on Alleged iOS 18 Design Resource Reveals visionOS-Like Redesign

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A first look at iOS 18’s rumored visionOS-style redesign may have been revealed by a new image of the Camera app.

Alleged iOS 18 design resource.

MacRumors received the above iPhone frame template from an anonymous source who claims they obtained it from an iOS engineer. It will allegedly be included as part of the Apple Design Resources for iOS 18, which helps developers visually design apps using software like Sketch and Photoshop. We cannot attest to the authenticity of the image, but believe it is worth sharing because it is consistent with previous rumors.

In February, Israeli website The Verifier claimed that iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 will feature visionOS-inspired design elements. The Vision Pro headset’s OS features a high level of depth translucency with glass-like buttons that have reflective edges.

visionOS design elements.

For example, the Apple TV app on iPadOS 18 will apparently feature the same translucent navigation bar that was introduced in the tvOS 17.2 version of the app last year. The design of this menu has clear similarities to visionOS. Apple also plans to redesign various other system menus and built-in apps on iOS 18, including Safari, according to the report.

The Verifier has a mixed track record with Apple rumors over the years, but Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman subsequently said that Apple is working to update the design of iOS as “early as this year.” He agreed that iOS could take some design cues from visionOS going forward, but Gurman does not expect a “total overhaul that mirrors visionOS.” The extent of the potential redesign is therefore still unknown.

While Gurman implied that the redesign may not emerge this year, he was more firm about iOS 18 being redesigned in a November edition of his newsletter, when he said Apple’s senior management had described iOS 18 as “ambitious and compelling,” with “major new features and designs.”

The purported iOS 18 Camera app design resource seemingly lines up with these reports, showing a substantial rethinking of Apple’s visual elements in line with visionOS, but it may not be legitimate. Apple is expected to preview iOS 18 at its annual developers conference WWDC on June 10. The first beta should be available shortly after the announcement. The update should be released to all users in September alongside the iPhone 16 lineup. For more details about the upcoming software update, see our comprehensive iOS 18 roundup.

Siri is truly terrible, but I’m optimistic about its rumored iOS 18 reboot – here’s why

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date March 30, 2024
No Comments on Siri is truly terrible, but I’m optimistic about its rumored iOS 18 reboot – here’s why

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Twelve years on from its launch, Siri now feels like a modern-day Apple Newton. Both started life as bold new personal assistants, only to stagnate and fall by the wayside. And both have been the butt of jokes on big comedy shows – the Newton was famously skewered on The Simpsons, while Siri has more recently ‘starred’ in the latest season of Curb your Enthusiasm (warning: the scene in question contains a tirade of expletives).

Yet while the Newton was put out of its misery and canceled in 1998, Apple has kept Siri ticking over in our iPhones. Well, barely – anyone who’s used Siri will have their own tale of frustration about its seemingly diminishing IQ. Apple can’t let this continue. And fortunately, the evidence is mounting that we’ll finally get a Siri reboot (or at least, a makeover) at WWDC 2024.

Apple is strongly hinting that AI and, to a lesser extent, Siri will be at the forefront of its annual developer’s conference. Its SVP of Marketing Greg Joswiak posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the event will be “Absolutely Incredible”, with the capitalization unsubtly spelling AI. Plus, the promo’s typography (below) also has echoes of Siri’s color scheme.

A MacBook on a blue background showing the WWDC 2024 teaser page — (Image credit: Apple)

But a wave of credible rumors and Apple’s own machine learning research also support the theory that Siri could soon become, if not great, then at least not an anachronistic embarrassment.

How exactly might Apple reboot Siri in June? It’s a long road back. Every time I’ve spoken to ChatGPT‘s baked-in Voice function I’ve marveled at how natural it feels in comparison. The trouble is, ChatGPT doesn’t have direct access to iOS for controlling my phone (unless you use Shortcuts). And Apple seemingly doesn’t have the generative AI chops – or the willingness to compromise on privacy – to do proper cloud-based AI.

The solution is likely to be a compromise, combining Apple’s latest on-device machine learning with third-party AI models like Google Gemini. That might result in a full Siri reinvention, but if it rescues the voice assistant from its current malaise, that’d be good enough for me…

A private chat

A Siri reboot isn’t certain at WWDC 2024, with the latest rumors a little confusing. This week, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claimed that Apple “isn’t planning to debut its own generative AI chatbot” at WWDC 2024.

But that doesn’t mean Apple isn’t planning some Siri upgrades. Apple has never seen Siri as a chatbot like ChatGPT – since June 2021, the voice assistant has processed our questions on-device by default. “This addresses one of the biggest privacy concerns for voice assistants, which is unwanted audio recording” Apple said in a press release at the time.

Apple almost certainly won’t have changed its mind since then. So the improvements to Siri’s on-device performance will have to come from Apple – and there’s evidence that the tech giant has been exploring this.

Mark your calendars for #WWDC24, June 10-14. It’s going to be Absolutely Incredible! pic.twitter.com/YIln5972ZDMarch 26, 2024

Last week, Apple researchers published a March 2024 paper that tested whether or not it’s possible for voice assistants to ditch trigger words like ‘Siri’ and instead use on-device AI to tell whether you’re speaking to your phone or someone else. This followed Apple’s quiet publication of a family of multimodal models (AI models that can simultaneously interpret different types of data) called MM1.

For the voice assistant paper, Apple’s researchers trained a large language model (LLM), based partly on OpenAI‘s GPT-2, to look for voice patterns that signify whether or not we’re asking for help from our phone. That’s pretty futuristic stuff. While the results were promising, it’s likely too soon for this kind of tech to find its way into iOS 18 or our iPhones.

Still, Apple is clearly working hard on voice assistant tech and we’ll likely see some of the fruits of this at WWDC 2024. Only six months ago, Apple was rapidly increasing its spending on conversational AI to “millions of dollars per day”, according to a report from The Information. Given the rapid advances of its rivals, some of this investment will surely go towards improving Siri.

An Apple Watch on a blue background showing the Siri voice assistant

(Image credit: Apple)

New Siri announcements also haven’t been completely extinct in recent months. In December 2023, Apple announced that its new S9 SiP (system in a package) meant the Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 could “now process Siri requests on device”. This meant you could now ask Siri about over 20 health data markers, because your data wouldn’t leave the smartwatch.

None of this is the work of a company that’s given up on its voice assistant. The question is what Apple will do about the bigger part of the puzzle – answering queries that on-device Siri won’t be able to answer…

I’m not sure I understand…

If Siri can’t answer a question, you can ask it to search the web for you. This is where Apple might be looking to outsource to an external AI model to help with more challenging queries – with Bloomberg predicting that this could be Google Gemini in the US and Europe, with Apple also in talks with Baidu in China according to the Wall Street Journal.

Bloomberg’s report says this generative AI “heavy lifting” could include functions like “creating images and writing essays based on simple prompts”. But these AI features will be delivered via the cloud, with Apple still using its own AI models to process on-device functions and Siri actions.

A super close up image of the Google Gemini app in the Play Store

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Tada Images)

This mooted Google Gemini deal wouldn’t be unusual for Apple. The tech giant doesn’t have its own search engine, so it’s long had an agreement (reportedly worth $18 billion a year) with Google for it to be the default option on Safari. That deal is now under threat from EU regulators.

Bloomberg says that a similar deal for Google’s Gemini AI models would simply build on this existing partnership between Apple and Google – again, if regulators allow it. It could even be a convenient replacement for that current deal between the tech giants, if it doesn’t crumble from the pressure of regulatory scrutiny.

Whatever happens with these talks, Apple seems unable to solve the whole generative AI puzzle on its own – and unwilling to shift its stance on privacy. That will likely mean some compromises for an upgraded Siri, rather than a giant leap.

Baby steps

The thing is, I’m not demanding (or expecting) a full Siri relaunch at WWDC 2024. All I want is for Apple to acknowledge Siri’s existence, make it less cloth-eared, and lay out how it’s going to make it a more conversational iPhone assistant. Right now, Siri is a brake on the potential of products like the AirPods and Apple Vision Pro, but it can start turning over a new leaf in iOS 18.

For years, Siri has been held back by internal squabbles, a lack of tech breakthroughs, and the wider problem that voice assistants don’t generate much revenue. But if Apple does, as the rumors suggest, outsource some of its generative AI features to the likes of Gemini AI, then it could play catch-up while reducing its liability when the occasional controversy inevitably strikes.

Two iPhones on a blue background showing Siri and Shortcuts

(Image credit: Apple)

None of this would rocket Siri towards being a voice assistant leader. But it’d be enough to keep Apple in the AI game, while reinvigorating one of the iPhone’s most frustrating features. At this point, Siri is damaging Apple’s reputation, so WWDC 2024 has to be a tipping point one way or the other.

Tim Cook has already promised during an earnings call with Apple’s annual shareholders that the company will “break new ground” this year in generative AI. While that doesn’t necessarily refer to Siri, could Apple do all of that while leaving Siri as it is? I don’t think so. And while Cook said the technology will “unlock transformative opportunities for our users”, I’m just hoping it’ll turn Siri into more than just a cooking timer.

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Tags Heres, iOS, optimistic, reboot, rumored, Siri, terrible

Popular Stories

Web Distribution

Color-Changing Apple Podcasts Widget

Code Changes

Battery Health Menu for Future iPads

New Apple Pencil

Third-Party Item Tracker Alerts

Block All Participants in Group FaceTime Calls

Wrap Up

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iOS 17.5 beta 1: What’s new and changed

Directly sideload apps from developer websites

Third-party tile tracking

Small changes in iOS 17.5, big changes in iOS 18

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iOS 17.5, macOS Sonoma 14.5 are ready for developers to start testing

Just for devs

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