The Apple Notes app is a cultural fixture as well as an essential tool, and it looks like Apple is going to supercharge the iconic app in iOS 18, the next major update for Apple’s flagship mobile operating system. iOS 18 is expected to be previewed alongside the latest versions of its other platform operating systems at WWDC 2024, Apple’s software-centric conference primarily aimed at developers, which kicks off on June 8.
Reports from AppleInsider are that two impressive features are expected to be revealed. First is support for audio recordings directly within the app – akin to the Voice Memos app, but better integrated. This feature is currently being developed for iOS 18 and macOS 15, and a version for the newest iteration of iPadOS can be expected soon after.
The feature will give users basic playback features for audio recordings, letting them record, play, and save entries right in the Notes app. The recordings will be embedded into specific notes that users choose, which can also include text and images along with the recording. Creatives will no doubt find this useful for making multimedia entries, and more casual users might find it a great way to make digital scrapbooks. It will also let users make more complex entries to detail the audio they save, being able to add lengthy descriptions or context entries.
The user interface of the app will be visually similar to the existing Voice Memos app, with the new audio recording feature being presented with similar graphical representations of the captured audio. These new in-app audio notes recordings will be available on all devices connected to iCloud and running at least iOS 18 or macOS 15.
Pre-release versions of the operating systems to be presented at WWDC 2024 also apparently reference a new ‘Math Notes’ feature which will enable the Notes app to interact with the Calculator app. Presumably, this will allow the Notes app to enlist the Calculator app to make calculations as users are entering them in Notes, though there’s no indication of how complex these calculations might be.
More features of this sort are expected to follow the Math Notes feature, and the introduction of the Math Notes feature is slated to coincide with Apple’s debut of a redesigned macOS Calculator app. Users will likely be able to prompt the Math Notes feature from the Calculator app using a designated button or option, but we will have to wait a little while longer to see the exact plans Apple has in store for Math Notes.
(Image credit: Shutterstock/Matveev Aleksandr)
Apple steals a note from Microsoft
These features have both been a part of OneNote, Microsoft’s proprietary note-taking app, a favorite among many who use educational curricula and materials, and those who work in mathematical notation. It also happens to rank highly in terms of popularity in both the iOS App Store and the macOS App Store, the former being highly regarded in user reviews and the latter having been awarded Apple’s Editors’ Choice award. It’s the cohort of people who find OneNote so useful and crucial to their work that Apple might hope to entice them with its Math Notes feature.
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The Notes app may have begun as a humble confidant for shopping lists and late-night thoughts, but it looks like it’s growing up and becoming a more capable app to assist users in more ways. It’s still very popular as the native notetaking app for Apple products, and Apple is understandably making moves to hold on to its staple status.
Again, it’s expected that both the embedded audio recording feature and the Math Notes feature will be premiered at WWDC 2024, but Apple has canceled or delayed features that have been rumored to be in the pipeline before. We won’t know for sure until we hear about it on stage at WWDC in June.
LG’s smart TV platform, webOS, has been a mainstay feature on its TVs and continues to evolve every year. It’s easily one of the best smart TV platforms out there, but hasn’t been without its share of criticisms in the past.
Last year’s version, webOS 23, featured on some of the best TVs on the market, including the LG C3, LG G3 and LG B3. We frequently praised it for its level of customization, its ease of navigation thanks to its new Quick Cards and quick menu, and its overall layout. Overall, it was a big improvement over webOS 22.
I’ve recently been testing one of LG’s latest mini-LED TVs for 2024, the LG QNED91T, and this comes installed with the latest version of webOS, webOS 24 – which will also be available on the LG C4 and LG G4 along with the rest of the range. While on the surface it may not seem like much has changed, there are some new features and upgrades that have been introduced and improved on that makes this arguably the best smart TV platform I’ve used in several years of both reviewing TVs and working in TV retail. Here are the three features that really jumped out to me.
1. A neater, toned down layout
Further down the home page on webOS 24 (pictured) shows a tidier and easier to navigate layout. (Image credit: Future)
Although a simple change, webOS 24’s home screen layout and appearance is easily one of its best features. Last year, webOS 23 improved greatly on webOS 22’s cluttered ad and recommendation-heavy home screen in a big way, and webOS 24 has taken this a step further.
Quick Cards, an addition to webOS 23 last year, collects any apps relevant into its category such as Game, Sport (more on that below), Music and more. So, for example, the Game quick card collects all the cloud based gaming services that webOS is compatible with such as Nvidia GeForce Now, Luna, Utomix and so on. In webOS 24, these cards have taken an even more slimmed down appearance on the home page and have become even more intuitive.
As you scroll down the home page, rather than being confronted with tons of ads and recommendations, you’re now met with a leaner set of menus. LG has opted for a more simple approach, such as the Now Streaming section in the picture above, which rather than spreading out every individual streaming service to its own line has collated them with a side-scrolling option to the relevant service you want.
If you use broadcast TV, there’s also a live TV guide that shows what’s live now, a Life’s Good Hub with LG recommendations and more. But if you don’t want these on your home menu, you can simply remove them, leaving you with a compact home menu that simply shows your favorite apps.
2. Sports quick card and My Team
The My Team section of the Sport Quick Card (pictured) in webOS 24 is very useful for sports fans, like myself. (Image credit: Future)
For a sports fan like myself, the sport quick card has undergone some changes and includes a feature called My Team. In this, you can select your favorite team from a fairly extensive list and it’ll keep track of live score, a team’s schedule, recent results and even relevant videos.
Admittedly, as a rugby fan, there weren’t many options, but there were plenty of other options to choose from and LG covered its bases well with soccer teams from major leagues including the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, and more. There was also extensive coverage of the MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL as well.
As a fairly new (and still somewhat casual) baseball fan, keeping track of the 162 regular season games can be daunting. So, I tested webOS 24 by choosing my favorite baseball team, the Toronto Blue Jays, in My Team. Immediately, I was shown all the Blue Jays’ recent scores and games and their upcoming schedule. I was even shown that I could stream one of the upcoming games on Prime Video, in its Discovery Plus add-on – something I didn’t know.
The main home page of the sports quick card takes on a broader approach and still includes popular video such as Premier League highlights and headline scores for those interested in multiple sports and combined with the My Team feature, this was one of my favorite webOS 24 features.
3. Improved accessibility features
The Accessibility Quick Card allows users direct access to accessibility features if they need them and even previews what users are getting. (Image credit: Future)
More TV brands are starting to go to great lengths to make TV accessible for everyone, via voice assist, audio description, subtitles and so on. In webOS 24, LG has introduced an accessibility Quick Card, meaning it’s easy for those who need these features to access them, because it sits front and center on the home page. In the past, these accessibility features were often, and still are in some cases, buried in settings screens.
On this accessibility Quick Card, these accessibility features are not only easy to access, but do a great job of demonstrating just what the user is getting. Something as simple as a visual demonstration of what subtitles turned on will look like on screen (as shown in the photo below) is a further step to make things easier for the user.
Finally, there’s the introduction of the AI chatbot. This tool is designed to assist in issues users may be experiencing with the TV such as the screen being too dark, sound being too quiet and so on, and assist where possible. It can be used via voice command or on-screen with inputs from the remote. It’s certainly a useful feature that, while it may not be the most extensive, will certainly aid some users having basic issues and not knowing where to start with fixing them, and will no doubt be improved in further updates.
The rumored Nothing Phone 3 could switch back to Qualcomm chips and use a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 to help power onboard generative AI features, according to 91mobiles’ “industry sources who work closely with Nothing.”
This suggests that we could see something more powerful than the recently launched Nothing Phone 2a. This aligns with the idea that the Phone 3 will offer near-flagship performance while maintaining Nothing’s reputation for making affordable phones. After all, both the Nothing Phone 1 and Phone 2 used slightly older hardware and some speculation pointed to Phone 3 following suit.
Snapping up Snapdragon
Unveiled in March, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip is designed for affordable flagship phones. It integrates advanced AI features such as on-device generative AI and intelligent photography tools, which can fill in missing details from photos. While it shares technology with the premium Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 used in this year’s best Android phones, the more modest Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers slightly less power.
It could also provide Phone 3 with improved battery life depending on the battery size due to the more efficient 4-nanometer technology from TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co).
However, the addition of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip would provide a significant boost in performance compared to both Phone 2 and Phone 2a. It features a Cortex-X4 core clocked at 3GHz, three performance cores reaching up to 2.8GHz, and four efficiency cores at 2GHz. This will place the chip between the 8 Gen 2 and 8 Gen 3 in terms of performance.
If the rumor is true then Nothing won’t be the only one taking advantage of the new Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip as Honor and Xiaomi will also be using it in some upcoming phones that are yet to be announced.
The insider sources also claim that the phone will be released around July and will cost around 40,000 Rupees, which is approximately £380 / $479 / AU$737. This seems unlikely as it would put the proposed Nothing Phone 3’s price very close to the Nothing Phone 2a, which was $349 / £319 /AU$675, and make it cheaper than the Nothing Phone 2’s release price of $599 / £579 / AU$1,049.
This all coincides with Nothing posting a teaser for an unidentified product showing a frog jumping over a Beatle and promising “a big leap.” Another post clarifies slightly by saying “Want to hear more? Don’t miss our next Community Update,” which will be 18 April 2024.
This could refer to a new phone, but it’s more likely it could point to another audio product like the Nothing Ear 2 earbuds or headphones.
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Lenovo has launched its new ThinkPad L series of business laptops, featuring a variety of models in different sizes, including 13-inch, 13-inch 2-in-1, 14-inch and, for the first time, a 16-inch model for those needing a larger display.
The ThinkPad L13 Gen 5 and L13 2-in-1 Gen 5 models are powered by Intel Core Ultra processors and come with up to 32GB LPDDR5 RAM and up to 1TB PCIe 4×4 M.2 2280 storage. The ThinkPad L14 Gen 5 and L16 Gen 1 models are offered with either an Intel Core Ultra processor or an AMD Ryzen 7030 Series CPU, and come with up to 64GB DDR5 RAM and up to 2TB PCIe 4×4 M.2 2280 storage.
All models in the ThinkPad L series come with Windows 11 Pro and are equipped with Dolby Audio Speaker Systems, HD RGB or 5MP RGB+InfraRed cameras with privacy shutters, and support for up to Wi-Fi 7 (Intel only) or Wi-Fi 6E connectivity.
Enhanced repairability
Lenovo has also enhanced repairability in the L14 Gen 5 and L16 Gen 1 models, thanks to a partnership with iFixit.
Announced at MWC 2024, Lenovo says this collaboration has resulted in devices that are easy to repair and upgrade, with readily available customer replaceable units (CRU) such as DIMM, keyboard, SSD, and WWAN. This not only extends the lifespan of the laptops but also helps reduce electronic waste.
Lenovo has also unveiled the latest additions to its X13 laptop series – ThinkPad X13 Gen 5 and X13 2-in-1 Gen 5 models, which are powered by Intel Core Ultra processors. They come with up to 64GB LPDDR5x memory and up to 2TB storage.
“Lenovo’s newest business laptops, the ThinkPad L series and ThinkPad X13 series, underscore Lenovo’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, offering features like easier repairability, increased use of recycled materials, and more efficient power management,” said Tom Butler, executive director, IDG Commercial Product Portfolio, Lenovo.
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“With powerful processing capabilities designed for AI-optimized experiences, built-in security, and enhanced manageability, these laptops are ideal for business professionals seeking high-performance and more eco-friendly technology.”
The new Lenovo ThinkPad L models will be available starting Q2, with the L14 priced at $1,199 and the L16 at $1,119. The L13 and L13 2-in-1 will start at $1,169 and $1,319 respectively. The new ThinkPad X13 will be priced at $1,539 and the X13 2-in-1 at $1,809.
March 24, 1997: The Newton MessagePad 2000 brings major upgrades to Apple’s PDA line, including a far better display and a much faster processor.
The best MessagePad yet by a wide margin, it quickly becomes a critical and commercial success. But it won’t be enough to save the doomed product line.
Newton MessagePad 2000: Bigger and faster
Much as the iPhone X brought an OLED screen for the first time, the MessagePad 2000 introduced a major upgrade to the Newton display. Of course, in 1997 that did not mean the arrival of ultra-sharp OLED. Instead, the Newton simply gained a higher-resolution screen (480 by 320 pixels, compared to the previous model’s 320 by 240).
In addition, the screen grew by 20%, measuring 4.9 inches by 3.3 inches, yielding a 100 dpi display. While not color, the MessagePad 2000 for the first time offered 16-level grayscale pixels rather than the simple black-and-white two-tone of the PDA’s predecessors.
The processor got a major upgrade as well. A 160 MHz StrongARM 110 CPU made this model many times faster than previous Newtons while using just one-quarter the power. This meant the MessagePad 2000 could deliver more than 24 hours of continuous battery life.
On top of this, the upgraded Apple PDA packed neat features like dual-mode IrDA-beaming capabilities, which allowed Newton users to wirelessly exchange information with one another. And of course the Newton’s stylus-based handwriting recognition.
Newton MessagePad 2000 software
As far as software went, the MessagePad 2000 came bundled with a calendar app called Dates, a to-do list app called Notepad, a contact manager called Names, as well as the EnRoute i-NET email client, NetHopper web browser, Newton Works word processor and more. For an extra $50, you could buy a spreadsheet app.
Wondering how the MessagePad 2000 got online for email and internet access? This could be achieved by connecting a modem into one of the PDA’s pair of PC Card slots.
MessagePad 2000: Apple’s Newton is not such a failure anymore
The Newton MessagePad 2000 came in this box. Photo: Computers.popcorn
In fact, the MessagePad 2000 showed that the Newton was truly coming into its own.
The Newton had been more than usable since at least 1995, when the Newton MessagePad 120 launched in the United States. Around that time, Apple also released the vastly superior NewtonOS 2.0, which solved many of the problems with handwriting recognition that plagued earlier models.
With its massive boost in power and superior display, the MessagePad 2000 was the best Newton yet. It proved incredibly popular with customers. And that finally laid to rest the notion that the Newton was a commercial bomb.
“The sales we have achieved in our first 30 days and customer response validate our claim that the MessagePad 2000 is a compelling business machine,” Sandy Bennett, vice president of the Newton Systems Group at Apple, said in a press release soon after the product’s launch. “Our bookings rates are running five times as high as they were a year ago.”
Prefiguring the later popularity of the iPod with non-Mac users, an estimated 60% of MessagePad customers used Windows computers. For true believers in Cupertino, it provided proof positive that a mobile revolution was truly underway.
In fact, Apple considered the MessagePad 2000 so successful that the company spun out the device as a separate startup called Newton Inc.
This is (almost) the end, beautiful friend
Sadly, the Newton became one of the casualties of Steve Jobs’ return to Apple in 1997. Given that he needed to cut costs, and that refocusing on the Mac resulted in the massively successful iMac G3 and iBook, it’s hard to say killing the Newton was the wrong decision. Still, it seemed a shame at a time when the MessagePad had finally proven itself.
The idea of creating a truly great mobile device didn’t go away, of course. Today, the Newton’s legacy is the iPhone, which makes up the overwhelming bulk of Apple’s revenue.
Did you own a Newton MessagePad 2000? Leave your comments below.
The Ring Battery Video Doorbell Pro (Ring Battery Pro) is a smart doorbell that gives you the ability to remotely monitor and talk to visitors outside your property via your phone or desktop using Wi-Fi. If it seems a bit familiar, that’s because it looks almost identical to many of the best video doorbells from Ring, but in particular it boasts many of the same features and functionality as the Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus (Ring Battery Plus), which was released in April 2023.
There are a lot of similarities with the Ring Battery Plus, given this is just a slightly improved iteration with a higher price tag. The Ring Battery Pro once again is a wireless device with head-to-toe visibility thanks to its 1536p camera, which also offers night vision with color. It’s got decent battery life, although Amazon doesn’t tend to commit to confirming just what that is; it’s all very dependent on how much motion occurs around your home and how it is configured. However, in my experience, it doesn’t need recharging more often than once every couple of months.
The Ring Battery Pro can detect motion within a user-defined zone to alert you to any movement or packages that have been delivered even if the doorbell button has not been pressed, as well as notify you when someone comes knocking so you can quickly speak with them – even if you’re away from home.
(Image credit: Future)
I’ve been using the Ring Battery Plus for several months and was perfectly content with its performance and features, except for one thing this year’s Pro model addresses; notification fatigue. The detection zone that I set up for the Plus model included my parked car which is a much larger detection zone than just the path to my front door. Unfortunately, the camera-based motion detector initially detected everything that went past the house; cars, bicycles, deer, cats, and dogs, and after a while, I began to just filter out the notification sounds.
Although the Ring app provides a means of adjusting the detection sensitivity, it proved difficult to find a good compromise between detecting movement around my car that I might object to and detecting any other moving object. On the other hand, the radar-powered 3D motion detection of the Ring Battery Pro is a significant improvement in this respect, resulting in far fewer unnecessary alerts and notifications.
The feed from the camera also includes a moveable Bird’s eye view overlay window on which it plots markers to indicate where the motion was detected and what path was taken. A cool feature? Absolutely, but it feels a bit redundant when you can use the pre-roll feature instead to see what happened in the seconds before the motion was detected or the doorbell was pressed. It also remains to be seen if the feature is of any use at all once the free trial subscription period expires and there is no video to replay.
The only other differences between the Ring Battery Pro and its predecessor are that the Pro also features:
Audio+ (improved microphones and speakers for two-way communication – though I haven’t noticed much of a difference).
Low-Light Sight, a feature presently exclusive to this model that offers low light compensation settings for color, glare and for situations where the camera is used through glass thanks to the enhanced imaging sensors.
The Ring Battery Pro is a bit more expensive than the older Plus model, and while I do think it’s an improvement, in these cost-conscious times, it’s not enough to justify the price difference.
(Image credit: Future)
Price and availability
List price: $229.99 / £199.99
The Ring Battery Pro is available from Ring for $229.99 / £199.99 and is available directly from both Amazon and the Ring website.
The best comparison is to the Ring Battery Plus, which was originally $179.99 / £159.99 but is now available for $149.99 / £129.99. Given that its hardware is only somewhat improved and I’m a little underwhelmed by the utility of some of the new features, that $70 / £70 price difference smarts a little.
There is a great range of accessories and parts for ring doorbells, too; the benefit of a product identity and design that has not changed in years is that there are ample options.
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Row 0 – Cell 0
US
UK
AU
Chime
$34.99
£29.99
AU$59.00
Chime Pro
$59.99
£49.99
AU$89.00
Quick Release Battery Pack
$34.99
£24.99
N/A
Charging Station
$29.99
£25.99
AU$65.00
Plug-in Adapter
$24.99
£20.99
N/A
Metallic Interchangeable Faceplate
$24.99
£21.99
AU$40.00
Interchangeable Faceplate
$14.99
£14.99
AU$23.00
Holiday Interchangeable Faceplate
$14.99
£14.99
AU$25.00
Intercom Kit
$17.99
£16.00
N/A
Solar Panel for Doorbells
$39.99
£49.00
AU$59.00
Solar charger 2nd generation for Battery Doorbells
$44.99
£39.99
AU$79.00
Ring Battery Video Doorbell Pro review: Specs
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Dimensions
12.8cm x 6.2cm x 2.8cm
Colours
Silver/black
Hub required
No
Smart home compatibility
Amazon Alexa, IFTTT
Connectivity
Wi-Fi 2.5 GHz
Mobile compatibility
iOS, Android
Field of view:
150 degrees x 150 degrees (h x v)
Video resolution:
1536
(Image credit: Future)
Ring Battery Video Doorbell Pro review: Design
It’s a ring doorbell, and looks the part
Rechargable and removable battery
Easy installation
There is nothing wrong with the design of the Ring doorbell. I like how the device is packaged, but I am ambivalent about how it looks, and I suppose that’s the point. Split into a black top section housing its 1536p camera and a matte silver bottom section with the doorbell button, it’s neither quasi-iconic nor Quasimodo; I wouldn’t say it’s ugly, but it doesn’t exactly set the pulse racing. Familiarity breeds contempt, and Ring’s design is a victim of its success.
As can be seen in the price and availability section above, there are benefits to keeping things consistent when it comes to accessories and spares. The problem here is that there is now a bewildering array of Ring doorbells available online that all look the same.
It’s straightforward to install and I like the included angled mounting bracket and spare screws; these both make the Ring Battery Pro a far more configurable video doorbell to set up than older models.
Like the Ring Battery Plus, the Pro features a removable battery. Do I often drop the little screw when I remove the battery to charge it? Yes, but is it annoying enough to warrant buying the power adapter and running the cable from inside my home to the doorbell? No. A small magnet on the case to stick the screw onto once you removed it would help. I do like that it comes with its own screwdriver and USB cable, though.
Ring Battery Video Doorbell Pro review: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
Once the battery is charged and the doorbell has been attached to your home the next task is to download the Ring app, set up an account and add your new device to the app. This is as straightforward as all of the other steps so far, and Ring has sensibly put the pairing code on the box and the manual as well as on the back of the device itself.
From the app, you can easily check your Ring Battery Pro’s live feed, communicate using two-way audio and set up features like motion and privacy zones. These zones as a feature can be immensely useful, helping to maintain your and your neighbors’ privacy, but as I’ve found in my previous Ring testing experience, editing the motion zones is frustrating. Moving the markers to adjust the area is very hit-or-miss and would sometimes erroneously move the entire zone. I tested this on an iPad as well in the hope that a bigger screen would increase accuracy, but alas, it was just as frustrating.
Much like the Ring Battery Plus, the Pro’s HD+ 1536p camera has HDR and night vision with color, which are switched off by default to increase battery life. It’s worth experimenting with these features to figure out if you need to use them in your home; the battery life could become a real issue if you have a lot of activity outside of your home and keep these features on. I, for one, didn’t find the color night vision particularly illuminating, which says more about where I live (grey and boring) than the usefulness of the color night vision feature.
The head-to-toe view, much like in the Ring Battery Plus, is an excellent evolution of the older Ring models’ aspect ratio, allowing you to see much more of your entryway and even spot any packages. As I suggested before, I really can’t tell much difference between the Ring Battery Plus and Pro in terms of audio, despite the newer model supposedly featuring enhanced microphones and speakers, meaning the audio can still be a little muffled when visitors aren’t facing the doorbell directly.
There is another similarity between the Ring Battery Plus and the Ring Battery Pro; reliability. I have many smart devices running on 2.5 GHz inside my house and some of them have random connection issues and buggy software. The Ring Battery Pro, however, is on the outside of my house and is relentless in its detection duties.
All in all, the Ring Battery Pro offers excellent performance. As always, though, it’s worth highlighting its full potential is unlocked with an added Ring Protect subscription. As ever, it’s a shame to see some of the most useful features like smart home trigger responses, advanced motion detection, package detection, and recorded video events be so gated, but, unfortunately, that’s the nature of many video doorbells these days.
(Image credit: Future)
Ring Battery Video Doorbell Pro review: Should I buy?
Ring Battery Video Doorbell Pro review: How I tested
I have several other Ring devices and compared the settings within the app to find any new features and test them.
I predominantly used the app on an iPhone for changing settings. I also investigated the app on an iPad as well as the Ring website.
I connected the Ring Pro to Apple Homekit via Homebridge.
I installed the Ring Pro next to my home’s front door on the angled bracket and adjusted the motion zone so that I could detect movement at the front of my house and around my car.
To compare what was going on outside with any notifications from the doorbell, I monitored the video output on an ongoing basis using Apple Homekit (via Homebridge) while working on the computer. It is possible to do that via the Ring website, but you won’t find the battery charge information.
I enabled all of the default disabled features to test if the impact on the battery life rendered the features impractical. The battery performed as expected; it drained faster with everything switched on but did not need to be re-charged incessantly.
I set off the default windchimes alert tone in the supermarket to test how many customers had Ring doorbells… I changed the Ring alert tone to something else shortly after.
I’ve been using smart home devices for several years now, and have a whopping 30+ years (gulp) of tech enthusiasm and experience under my belt.
After over a year of reports, there are now more than a dozen specific rumors about the features and improvements set to be offered by the two non-Pro iPhone 16 models later in 2024.
While the upgrades that the iPhone 16 offers over the iPhone 15 will likely be at the center of Apple’s marketing strategy later this year, many users are on two-year upgrade cycles, so the features introduced on both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 will stack up. All of the changes the iPhone 16 models are expected to feature compared to their two direct forerunners are listed below, using information from a range of reliable sources that we have previously covered. We will update this article as more rumors emerge in the coming months.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to largely carry over the design of their predecessors. As a result, the iPhone 16 will be a relatively significant evolution over the iPhone 14, featuring slightly rounded edges, a frosted glass back, and a vertical rear camera arrangement to facilitate spatial video capture. Other important design changes are expected to include the removal of the mute switch in favor of the Action button introduced on last year’s Pro models and the introduction of an all-new “Capture” button.
Vertically arranged rear camera array to support spatial video capture
Ring/Silent switch
Action Button
“Capture Button” to trigger photography and videography features
Lightning port
USB-C port
Displays
For iPhone 14 users, the iPhone 16 will offer many of the display upgrades that came to the previous generation, as well as a more efficient OLED panel thanks to micro-lens technology.
iPhone 14
iPhone 16
More efficient OLED display with brighter micro-lens technology
800 nits max brightness (typical)
1,000 nits max brightness (typical)
1,200 nits peak brightness (HDR)
1,600 nits peak brightness (HDR)
2,000 nits peak brightness (outdoor)
Cameras
The iPhone 15 introduced a major camera upgrade for Apple’s standard smartphone lineup, bringing over the 48-megapixel camera of the iPhone 14 Pro. With a number of other improvements such as spatial video capture, the iPhone 16 should be a significant camera upgrade over the iPhone 14.
iPhone 14
iPhone 16
12-megapixel main camera with ƒ/1.5 aperture
48-megapixel main camera with ƒ/1.6 aperture
0.5x and 1x optical zoom options
0.5x, 1x, and 2x optical zoom options
24- and 48-megapixel super-high-resolution photos
Smart HDR 4
Smart HDR 5
Portrait mode with Focus and Depth Control
Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control
Night mode and Night mode portraits
Improved Night mode and Night mode portraits
Spatial video capture
Chip, Memory, and Connectivity
With the iPhone 16 models rumored to receive the same A18 chip as the Pro models, the new models could offer a major performance improvement over the iPhone 14, which features the A15 Bionic chip first introduced in 2021. The 2GB of additional memory and the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip are also due to be notable upgrades.
The iPhone 16 models could receive some major improvements in battery technology and charging, sporting denser batteries and faster charging capabilities. It is worth noting that the iPhone 16 Plus is rumored to feature a smaller battery than its predecessors, but it is not clear how this will affect actual battery life.
iPhone 14
iPhone 16
Single-layer battery technology
Stacked battery technology for increased energy density and prolonged lifespan
iPhone 14: 3,279 mAh battery iPhone 14 Plus: 4,325 mAh battery
iPhone 16: 3,561 mAh battery iPhone 16 Plus: 4,006 mAh battery
Battery manufacture date, first use, and cycle count information in Settings
Other Features and Changes
While many of Apple’s devices are rumored to receive a series of new AI-based features via software updates later this year, the iPhone 16 models are expected to take these further with exclusive capabilities facilitated by a more powerful Neural Engine in the A18 chip and an upgraded microphone.
Upcoming support for new AI features in iOS 18, plus a suite of device-exclusive AI features
Microphone
Upgraded microphone with improved signal-to-noise ratio and water resistance, designed to support new AI features
Improved audio quality on phone calls
Will It Be Worth Upgrading?
The iPhone 15 was a fairly significant upgrade over the iPhone 14 in 2023, introducing a more modern design with the Dynamic Island, a USB-C port, and q 48-megapixel camera. The iPhone 16 will build on these upgrades, offering the Capture and Action buttons, AI features, and spatial video capture. With over 30 upgrades rumored to be in store, many current iPhone 14 users will find upgrading to an iPhone 16 model worthwhile, if not essential.
Release Date
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to launch in the fall. Apple usually hosts an event every September to unveil new iPhone models, with launch following just over a week later. For more information about the iPhone 16 models, see our comprehensive roundup.
Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds with improved noise-masking, longer battery life and soft ear tips are coming to help you sleep through all the racket, parent company Anker said Friday — aka World Sleep Day.
You can sign up now for Super Early Bird pricing at $60 off in the Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for the Sleep A20 earbuds, which launches April 16.
Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds
Soundcore launched its Sleep A10 earbuds in 2022 and now plans a Kickstarter funding campaign for its updgraded version, Soundcore Sleep A20.
The second-generation sleep earbuds feature advanced noise-masking (with Twin-Seal eartips), ultra-comfortable ergonomic design and longer battery life.
Here’s some of Soundcore’s description, which calls out the Sleep A20’s comfort level, even more people who sleep on their sides:
Highlighting the need for healthy, restful sleep during World Sleep Day 2024, the Sleep A20 will offer users 3x better noise rejection using their Twin-Seal ear tips versus single layer ear tips. By utilizing this design, the Sleep A20 can help to block out more noise, including a partner “sawing wood, chopping logs or grinding gravel” on the other side of the bed.
Additionally, thanks to their compact design, the Sleep A20 are ideal for side-sleepers. The ergonomic curved shape helps to conform to a user’s ears, offering a pressure free wearing experience by allowing a user to lay their head on a pillow without the earbud protruding from their ears, while causing discomfort like more traditional earbud models can.
In addition to silicone ear tips, the buds’ entire surface that comes in contact with the user is covered with an ultra-soft silicone material, Soundcore said.
One new features lets you use a little sound alert to find them if they fall out. Photo: Soundcore
Other Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds features:
14 hours of playtime in Sleep mode, 80 hours with the charging case; up to 10 hours of playtime with 55 hours in the charging case when used while connected to Bluetooth (at 50% volume).
Play various sounds from an included sound library, such as white noise.
Repeatable alarm ensures users can wake up to a personal alarm using a library of customizable sounds, while not waking a sleeping partner or nearby family members.
Automatic sleep monitoring with sleep position tracking.
Access via the Soundcore app (Android and iOS).
Lets users find lost earbuds using an audible alert through the Soundcore app.
Availability and pricing
Starting April 16, you can preorder Soundcore Sleep A20 on Kickstarter in the United States and several other countries. Early backers can get discounts up to 40% off.
However, starting today, you can visit Soundcore.com at the link below for additional early bird specials and perks. Sleep A20 earbuds should be available for purchase on Amazon.com and Soundcore for $149.99 in mid to late May.
The iPhone is Apple’s top-selling product, and it gets an update every year. In 2024, we’re expecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, with an arguably more interesting feature set than we got with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro.
Capture Button
All four iPhone 16 models are set to get a whole new button, which will be located on the right side of the device below the Power button. In the United States, this is where the mmWave 5G antenna is, so Apple will be shifting that over to the other side.
This addition, which Apple calls the “Capture Button,” will be for taking photos and videos when the iPhone is held in a landscape orientation. It seems aimed specifically at capturing 3D landscape video that will then be viewed on the Apple Vision Pro, but it will also be useful for taking regular video and photos as well.
Rumors suggest the button will be a standard mechanical button like the Power and Volume buttons, but it will support multiple levels of pressure. You’ll be able to press down lightly to focus, and then press down further to snap a picture or start recording. The feel will be similar to a multi-function camera shutter button.
As a bonus, the standard iPhone 16 models will also get the Action Button that was introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, so both the Action Button and Capture Button will be available across the entire lineup.
Display Sizes
Apple has been using 6.1 and 6.7-inch display sizes for all iPhone generations since the 2020 iPhone 12 models, but display sizes are finally set to increase slightly in 2024. The iPhone 16 Pro display is expected to be approximately 6.3 inches, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max display will be approximately 6.9 inches.
Screen sizes are bigger because the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will be about 3mm taller, and around 1mm wider. Thickness isn’t increasing, but weight will go up just a bit because of size jump.
Unfortunately, the size change will be limited to the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max this year, and the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will still measure in at 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches, respectively.
Camera Upgrades
Apple has camera changes in store for all of the iPhone 16 models. For the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, there will be a new vertical lens arrangement that does away with the diagonal arrangement Apple has used for the last several years. The change is expected to let the iPhone 16 models capture spatial video, a feature limited to the 15 Pro and Pro Max right now.
The biggest update will be limited to the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, though. Apple is upgrading the Ultra Wide camera to 48 megapixels, bringing improved images in lower lighting conditions. The lens is expected to work like the 48-megapixel Wide camera, which uses pixel binning to combine the data from four pixels into one “super pixel” for better image quality.
Since spatial video recording uses both the Wide and Ultra Wide cameras, spatial videos will get a boost with the new Pro models.
Apple is also going to bring the 5x Telephoto lens to the iPhone 16 Pro this year, and that’s presumably possible because of those aforementioned size increases. 5X optical zoom is available on the 15 Pro Max right now, but both Pro models will get it in 2024.
Faster 5G
With the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, Apple plans to adopt Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon X75 modem chip. Modem chips aren’t often a major feature that we highlight, especially since the transition to 5G, but the X75 will be faster while also using less power.
It offers 10-carrier aggregation for mmWave and 5x carrier aggregation for sub-6GHz. Carrier aggregation improves data speeds, so a higher number equates to lower latency and more data throughput. The modem chip has a second-generation AI processor inside that Qualcomm says will improve speeds, coverage, link robustness, and location accuracy. You might see fewer connection issues in parking garages, elevators, and subways.
The X75 merges the sub-6GHz and mmWave transceivers, so there’s 25 percent less circuit board space used and less power draw. So far, rumors suggest that the X75 will be limited to the Pro models in 2024, with the standard models to continue to use the X70 in the current iPhone 15 lineup.
Along with better 5G, Apple could also bring Wi-Fi 7 to the iPhone 16 Pro models. Wi-Fi 7 supports speeds up to 40Gb/s, and could result in lower latency and more reliable connectivity. As for the iPhone 16, we’re expecting to see an upgrade to Wi-Fi 6E, allowing them to connect to 6GHz networks. The 15 Pro models support Wi-Fi 6E, but the standard iPhone 15 models are limited to Wi-Fi 6.
Generative AI
Apple is focusing on AI in a big way in 2024 as it aims to catch up with Microsoft, Google, OpenAI, and other companies that have invested heavily in generative AI. AI is software based, of course, but it needs hardware to support it.
With iOS 18, Apple is rumored to be making some major AI-based improvements and introducing AI across the operating system, and some of the most advanced features might be limited to the iPhone 16 lineup because of the processing power required.
All four iPhone 16 models are expected to get an A18 chip (perhaps A18 Pro for the Pro lineup), and the A18 chips will be built on Apple’s 3-nanometer process for improved performance and efficiency. Right now, the iPhone 15 Pro models use the 3nm A17 Pro, but the iPhone 15 models are using prior-generation A16 chip technology.
Upgrading to a 3-nanometer chip across the iPhone 16 lineup will allow Apple to bring the latest AI features to even its most affordable flagship models, and the A18 is expected to include a faster Neural Engine with “significantly” more cores. Rumors suggest that Apple wants to do AI processing on-device to preserve privacy, and some serious performance is needed to make that possible.
Less than four months after debuting its mid-range Accentum headphones, Sennheiser revealed another version at CES that remains more affordable than its flagship Momentum set. Dubbed the Accentum Plus, this more-expensive model swaps the physical buttons for touch controls while offering revised active noise cancellation (ANC), wear-detection and other conveniences the first version didn’t. All of the additions come at a price, though, as the Plus ($230) costs $50 more than the regular Accentum. For a set of headphones that mostly looks the same, are internal updates enough to justify a bigger investment?
Design
It’s difficult to tell the Accentum Plus and Accentum apart at first glance. That lack of physical controls on the older model is what primarily distinguishes the two. The Plus version still has one button which manages power, pairing and voice assistants, but all of the audio and call controls are touch-based and located on the outside of the right ear cup. They work well, from taps for playback to swipes for volume, but depending on your preferences, ditching the physical controls for touch may be a turn off. The other difference is that the Plus has a 3.5mm aux jack along with a USB-C connection whereas the first Accentum only has the latter.
Sennheiser
Despite changes to ANC and a few new features, the Accentum Plus isn’t a significant upgrade over the regular Accentum that debuted last year.
A nearly identical design means Sennheiser didn’t address my key criticism of the first Accentum. The headphones remain almost entirely made out of plastic, which gives them a cheap look and feel. Plus, it doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence in the build quality for a set of $230 headphones. The company introduced its new design style on the Momentum 4 in 2022, which it continued with the overall look on the Accentum line. But, the latest Momentums are a bit more polished than these two more recent models.
Software and features
For the most part, the Sennheiser Smart Control App offers the same features for the Accentum Plus as it does for the Accentum. Almost everything you’d need is on the main screen, with battery percentage at the top. Below that sit connection management for multipoint Bluetooth and My Sound audio customization. There, you can adjust a five-band EQ, select a prebuilt sound preset or make your own. The company also offers Sound Personalization that calibrates the audio based on your responses to a few samples in the app.
Sennheiser’s Sound Zones are here as well, giving you the ability to configure specific audio settings based on your location. You can create up to 20 of these for places like home, work, gym and more. Of course, you have to give the app permission to track your location, which could be a nonstarter for some users.
The last item on the main interface of the app is ANC control. Here, you can disable the automatic “adaptive” adjustment to the Accentum Plus’ noise cancellation and leave “regular” noise cancellation on. There’s a slider to blend of ANC and transparency as you see fit. You can cycle between ANC and transparency mode with a double tap on the right ear cup, but that action doesn’t allow you to activate any preferred blends. Instead, it only turns on full ANC or complete transparency.
Sound quality
Photo by Billy Steele/Engadget
Sennheiser’s flagship earbuds and headphones have consistently offered the best sound quality among all of the products I’ve tested. The company has a knack for a well-tuned audio profile that’s dynamic, but not overbearing, and that offers plenty of fine detail thanks to excellent clarity across the EQ. That trademark crispness returns on the Accentum Plus, but it’s at its best at around 65-75 percent volume. Knock that level down to around 50 percent and sound quality begins to suffer.
There’s a pleasant airy, atmospheric quality to tracks on Fever Ray’s Radical Romantics on the Accentum Plus, enveloping you the way the sound on more expensive headphones would. However, when you decrease the volume to about 50 percent, bass begins to overpower some of the details and the audio profile begins to muddy. The clarity that makes Sennheiser’s headphones so good is gone at this point, which is a bummer for those of us who don’t always desire louder listening.
While there’s ample bass that’s offset by crisp highs throughout most genres, more chaotic styles like metal can be a mixed bag. Boomy bass is still there on Texas In July’s Without Reason and Better Lovers’ God Made Me An Animal, but finer details in guitars and drum textures start to get lost. The overall performance is a bit flat with all of the instruments coming across compressed compared to other sets. Switch over to something more mellow like Charles Wesley Godwin’s Live From Echo Mountain and it’s like you put on different headphones. It feels much more like you’re in the room where this was recorded.
ANC performance
Sennheiser says the Accentum Plus has hybrid adaptive ANC where the Accentum just has hybrid ANC. This means that the Plus model adjusts to changes in environmental noise while the regular model has just one level of blocking ability. During my tests, I struggled to tell a big difference between the two, even when switching quickly from one set to the other. The overall ANC performance is solid in most circumstances, but it’s far from what you’d get on the best that Bose, Sony and even Sennheiser have to offer. And since the Plus version is more expensive, I expected an obvious improvement.
Call quality
Photo by Billy Steele/Engadget
Like most over-ear headphones, the Accentum Plus is just fine for calls. The audio quality isn’t pristine, but it’s certainly passable for most uses. That includes work calls, although I’d suggest something with a better mic if you’re actually leading the presentation. Overall, the voice quality comes across compressed and a bit tinny. It’s not the worst, but it’s also probably not what you want when how you sound really matters. You can choose to have the headphones automatically switch to transparency mode when you take a call. However, the Accentum Plus doesn’t pipe in your voice, so the overall audio isn’t as natural as more-expensive options like the AirPods Max.
Battery life
The Plus’ battery life remains unchanged from the regular Accentum at 50 hours. That’s definitely not a bad thing. In fact, I exceeded that figure during my tests, notching 57 hours of use with ANC enabled. This included a mix of listening and calls, and during the latter I switched to transparency mode instead of noise cancellation. There were also a few days in between sessions where the headphones sat unused. When you do find yourself out of juice, you can get five hours of listening time after plugging in for only 10 minutes.
The competition
Given that the upgrades on the Plus are marginal, it’s hard to recommend them over the cheaper Accentum. Both carry Sennheiser’s crisp, clear sound that performs well most of the time. The ANC improvements aren’t enough to justify spending more and the only thing you may truly benefit from is automatic pausing that wear-detection brings. The company’s Momentum 4 would definitely be an upgrade over either Accentum, but that costs around $300. Plus, Sennheiser’s flagship headphones still have its newer, more-boring design – albeit with a few refinements.
If you’re in the market for affordable noise-canceling headphones that don’t cut too many corners, consider the Sony’s WH-CH720N. Currently available for $105, this budget option won’t win any design awards as it’s also all-plastic, but it’s more comfortable and has great audio for the price. Noise cancellation is just okay, though Adaptive Sound Control allows you to automate audio settings based on activity or location and there’s support for Sony’s 360 Reality Audio.
Wrap-up
Sennheiser’s attempt to improve on its initial mid-range Accentum offering is a mixed bag. For all of its updates, the Accentum Plus isn’t the massive improvement you’d expect with its higher price. Sure, the sound is great at times and the ANC will get the job done, but the best thing about this Plus version is the better-than-expected battery life. However, you can get that same play time on the regular Accentum for $50 less. Some small design refinements and a more-obvious step up in terms of audio quality and ANC performance would’ve made a larger impact. But, as it stands, the Accentum Plus isn’t a significant upgrade over last year’s model.
1 / 9
Sennheiser Accentum Plus review
Sennheiser Accentum Plus headphones sitting on a table, propped up by two books with an iPhone playing music to the left.
March 24, 1997: The Newton MessagePad 2000 brings major upgrades to Apple’s PDA line, including a far better display and a much faster processor.
