iOS 16, announced in June 2022 on WWDC22, is now available for download. Apple has started rolling out its latest major update with various new features, fixes, and security enhancements. In addition to iOS 16, Apple is rolling out watchOS 9 for compatible Apple Watch models (Series 4 and newer).

What iPhones support iOS 16?

You can download iOS 16 on the following iPhone models:

• iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
• iPhone X
• iPhone XS and XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2nd generation, 2020 model)
• iPhone 12 and 12 mini
• iPhone 12 and 12 Pro
• iPhone 13 and 13 mini
• iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (3rd generation, 2022 model)

This year, Apple has left behind several old iPhone models: the original iPhone SE, iPhone 6S, 6S Plus, and iPhone 7, alongside its plus-sized variant.

What is new in iOS 16?

Here are some of the biggest changes in iOS 16:

• Redesigned lock screen: users can now personalize fonts, add widgets, and create multiple lock screen designs. iOS 16 lets you link a specific lock screen to a focus profile, so the look and feel of our iPhone match what you do.
• Redesigned notifications and Live Activities: notifications now appear at the bottom of the screen for better accessibility. Also, Live Activities let you get updates and "stay on top of things" without leaving the lock screen.
• Editable and delectable iMessage: similar to popular messengers, iMessage now lets you edit or delete a sent message, plus mark messages as unread. Other iOS 16 improvements for iMessage include SharePlay via Messages and improved collaboration.
• Passkeys: a new sign-in method "that is end-to-end encrypted and safe from phishing and data leaks."
• Mail improvements: the built-in Mail client lets you undo send, schedule an email, and add rich links.
• Smarter Dictation: it is now easier to move from voice input to the keyboard, plus Smart Dictation can automatically add commas, periods, question marks, and even emojis.
• Intelligent features: iOS 16 can "lift" a subject from an image and remove the background, and the Live Text feature now works in videos, allowing you to copy text from any video.
• Health improvements: the built-in Health app lets you track medication intake or share medical information with your loved ones or caregivers. Also, the Fitness app is now available for all iPhone users without requiring an Apple Watch.
• Wallet and Apple Pay: Apple Pay customers can use the service to split the cost of purchases into four payments over six weeks and then track receipts and orders directly in Wallet.
• Many more.

How to download and install iOS 16?

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Go to General > Software Update.
3. Wait for your iPhone to detect the update, then tap iOS 16 at the bottom of the screen. Note that you can stay on iOS 15 and continue receiving updates for it, even if your iPhone supports a newer release.
4. Proceed with on-screen instructions.

What about iPadOS 16?

Apple is not ready to ship iPadOS 16 today, but it says the latest iPadOS release will be available in October 2022. Apple could reveal the exact release day alongside new iPads rumored to arrive later this year.

Are you installing iOS 16 today, or are you waiting for Apple to release a few more fixes? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Apple starts rolling out iOS 16 with redesigned lock screen, iMessage improvements, more

Apple's watchOS 9, announced in June on WWDC22, is now available for download on supported Apple Watch models. To get watchOS 9 on your Apple Watch, you need an iPhone with iOS 16, which is also rolling out now.

What Apple Watch models support watchOS 9?

watchOS 9 is available on the following Apple Watch models:

• Apple Watch Series 4
• Apple Watch Series 5
• Apple Watch Series 6
• Apple Watch SE (first-gen, 2020 model)
• Apple Watch Series 7

This year, Apple has finally ditched the outdated Series 3, the only Apple device with a 32-bit processor. The company no longer sells the Series 3, offering the new SE variant as the most affordable Apple Watch.

What is new in watchOS 9?

Here are the most notable changes in watchOS 9:

• Improved Workout Views: your Apple Watch can show more information when you work out. Turning the Digital Crown reveals new views of additional metrics, such as activity rings, heart rate zones, elevation, etc. Users can also create custom heart rate zones and set work and recovery intervals to suit their training. There are automatic transitions between swim, bike, and run for triathletes swimming enhancements.
• Medication tracking: you can track medication intake using your Apple Watch. The device will send you a notification with the option to log medication, vitamins, and supplements.
• Reworked Sleep Tracking now shows sleep stages and awake periods, plus there are comparison charts with heart and respiratory rate metrics.
• New Watch Faces: no major watchOS release without new watch faces. Apple has generously provided three new faces this year: Metropolitan, Joi Fulton, and Astronomy (remastered). Besides, some older faces received support for rich complications and colorful backgrounds.

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• AFib History: users diagnosed with atrial fibrillation can track their AFib history and see how different factors influence their heart condition.
• Accessibility improvements: the Apple Watch now lets you double-pinch your fingers to start a workout or take a photo, plus you can operate the Watch from your iPhone.
• Redesigned notifications: notifications on the Apple Watch no longer take over the entire screen. Instead, they appear as unobtrusive banners when the Watch is in use.
• Productivity improvements: you can create new calendar events directly from your Apple Watch and use the built-in keyboard (Series 7, Series 8, and Ultra) in seven new languages.
• More minor changes.

How to download watchOS 9?

If you own a compatible Apple Watch, update your iPhone to iOS 16 first, then launch the Watch app and navigate to General > Software Update.

Are you updating your Apple Watch today? What new feature or changes excites you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Apple starts rolling out watchOS 9 with improved sleep and workout tracking

As spotted by Leopeva64-2, Edge for Android has received a new experimental flag to improve how the browser blocks ads. With the new configuration, Edge for Android should block video ads better, such as YouTube prerolls. According to Leopeva64-2, the flag blocks video ads reasonably well, but your experience might be slightly different.

To test the updated ad blocker in Microsoft Edge on Android, download the browser from the Google Play Store and go to the edge://flags/#edge-block-video-ads page. Set the flag to Enabled and restart the browser. After that, try opening YouTube or any other website containing video ads.

Do you think the improved built-in ad blocker is enough to tempt Android customers to ditch Chrome or Samsung Internet? Share your thoughts in the comments.

As an online publication, Neowin too relies on ads for operating costs and, if you use an ad blocker, we'd appreciate being whitelisted. In addition, we have an ad-free subscription for $28 a year, which is another way to show support!

Microsoft Edge on Android gets improved video ad blocking

Android 13 raises minimum system requirement to 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage

Taking the app to version 1.1.222, the latest update introduces a couple of changes and bug fixes. After installing it, OnePlus users will be able to dismiss the battery optimization bar. There is something for Xiaomi users too. SMS Organizer now shows an auto-start permission dialog to avoid data loss for devices running the MiUi. Also, Microsoft claimed to have fixed the View Conversation crash issue.

The SMS Organizer app supports some unique features, including support for multiple attachments in a single message, the ability to rename group conversations, and the ability to handle share contact as vCard event. You can also keep an eye on your financial details right from the app. It also provides you the details about discounts available on different platforms. It also shows reminders of your upcoming events.

If you are living in the above-mentioned countries and have not given SMS Organizer a try, you can download and install the app on your Android phone from Google Play Store.

Microsoft’s SMS Organizer gets updated with new features and bug fixes

iOS 16 launches September 12

The Pro gains a new 48-megapixel main camera. Photo: Allison Johnson / The Verge

Apple just announced the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. They’re big upgrades to last year’s iPhone 13 Pro handsets with always-on screens, a new pill-shaped cutout that moves and animates, a faster A16 Bionic chip, and even an improved 48-megapixel camera.

The iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max look very similar to last year’s 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max, until you look more closely at the display. The new pill-shaped cutout means the notch is gone, kind of. It actually moves around and animates, in what Apple calls the Dynamic Island. Notifications and alerts will adapt and move around the pill-shaped notch, and Apple is using this system for live activity widgets and even when you swipe up to move background tasks like music playback to the island.

The Dynamic Island is a big change for the iPhone 14 Pro, and its shape-shifting seems to be a playful way to make better use of the notch real estate. If you can’t lose it, use it, I guess?

Also new to the displays on the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max is an always-on feature. It works by showing widgets of information on the display without it needing to be powered on. You can check out weather, calendar information, and more. It looks great, and wallpapers even darken to match the always-on mode.

It wouldn’t be a new iPhone without new cameras, though. For the first time ever, the iPhone is moving away from a 12-megapixel sensor to a 48-megapixel one. Improvements include advancements in low-light photography, all using a quad-pixel sensor with f/1.78 aperture and 24mm focal length.

For most photos, the sensor will take 12-megapixel binned photos to maximize light capture. This also allows Apple to crop the sensor in different ways to deliver true 2x zoom at a 48mm focal length.

Also inside the iPhone 14 Pro models is Apple’s upgraded A16 Bionic chip. It’s hard to test the performance in the limited hands-on time we get with these devices, but Apple says it has focused on power efficiency, display, and camera with its new chip. This new chip also helps power the new Dynamic Island system.

All in all, the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max feel every bit as solid as the previous generation, with some interesting improvements under the hood — particularly to the camera — that we’re eager to dive into.

Hands-on with the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max

The 14 and 14 Plus keep the notch.

The iPhone 14 is here, and it’s available in two sizes this year: regular and big. The standard iPhone 14 sticks with the 6.1-inch display — notch intact — and the 14 Plus brings a big 6.7-inch screen to the standard, non-pro iPhone series for the first time. That’s the story: aside from the new size, not much else has physically changed from the iPhone 13.

The 14 looks and feels identical to the 13, and the 14 Plus is a bona fide big phone. Apple makes some big claims for its battery life, too, calling it the best battery performance of any iPhone to date. The screens are both Super Retina XDR displays. The 14 Plus looks every bit as big as the 13 Pro Max but is noticeably lighter.

Apple is sticking with the iPhone 4-era flat screens and rails it brought back in 2020, and I, for one, am glad to see the design hanging around — I’ve felt the rounded edges of my iPhone 11 slip out of my hand one too many times. It’s a design that worked in 2010, and it still works in 2022, so why mess with it?

Around back, the story is the same: two 12-megapixel cameras — wide and ultrawide — with 12-megapixel sensors behind each lens. There’s not much to see on the hardware level, but the sensor behind the main camera is bigger than in the iPhone 13, with bigger pixels and an f/1.5 aperture.

Another new feature you won’t see on the surface is Emergency SOS, which makes it possible to send messages from areas without cell service by using communication satellites. Both iPhone 14 models support it and will come with the service free for two years.

Overall, the design and hardware are all very familiar by now, and the two phones look and feel like minor refreshes of the 13 — except that it now comes in big. And I’m here to tell you that yes, it is indeed large. If you’ve been eyeing the Pro Max but been put off by its $1,100 (or more) price tag, then the 14 Plus might just be the big iPhone you’ve been waiting for.

Hands-on with the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus

The 14 and 14 Plus don’t have a new processor. Image: Apple

Apple has announced that the regular iPhone won’t be getting a new processor this year — instead, the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus will be powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, the same chip that’s in the iPhone 13 Pro — though it does have a bit more grunt than the A15 that was in the regular iPhone 13 and the $429 iPhone SE from earlier this year, thanks to an extra GPU core. This is the first time that Apple’s not updating to a new processor for one of its flagship iPhones since the 2008 iPhone 3G, which featured virtually the same internals as the original iPhone.

The iPhone 14 Pro, meanwhile, has an A16 processor, which the company says is more power efficient, even when doing intensive tasks. The raw specs of the new chip are similar, though — like the A15 in the regular 14, it has a six-core CPU, a five-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. The new version just has better cores, according to Apple.

The decision not to update the chipset for the standard iPhone 14 isn’t exactly a surprising one. Analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo and reporters like Mark Gurman have been predicting the move for months, and the chip shortage isn’t quite over yet. Using tried and true chips that Apple’s manufacturer already has experience making could help ensure that there are enough processors to meet demand. The older chip could also keep prices down at a time when inflation is bumping up the cost of other gadgets.

While potential iPhone 14 buyers probably won’t have to worry too much about performance — the A15 still outperforms the latest chips from Qualcomm and Google in most benchmarks — there is the question of longevity. While Apple has a great track record when it comes to long-term software support for its phones, I still have to wonder if the iPhone 14’s chip means that it’ll get one or two fewer iOS updates.

The iPhone 14 doesn’t have Apple’s latest processor

The lunar watchface is just one of the many additions coming with watchOS 9. Photo by Victoria Song / The Verge

Apple will release watchOS 9 on September 12th, the company announced at its “Far Out” event today.

The public beta of watchOS 9 has been available since July, showing off a number of useful new features orbiting a more robust suite of fitness metrics alongside other quality-of-life improvements. While it may not be quite as exciting as the announcement of a new Apple Watch or iPhone, the new OS will be available for anyone with at least an Apple Watch Series 4 and an iPhone 8 or later currently loaded with iOS 16.

The last major update to the watchOS gave us the ability to edit messages with the help of the crown on the Apple Watch, the ability to create multiple timers, and added more accessibility features, among several other improvements focused on meditation and mindfulness.

With watchOS 9, changes to fitness tracking features are front and center. The new OS adds metrics for heart rate zones and elevation data while providing new ways to customize how you view information. There’s also a new multisport activity for triathletes, and Apple’s subscription-based workout app, Fitness Plus, is getting updated with new metrics for rowing, cycling, and treadmill workouts.

Outside of a bunch of new numbers to look at while you sweat, watchOS 9 has several wellness-centric improvements. The medication reminders built into the Apple Watch health app are one such addition, and you can even add medications to your schedule by scanning its prescription label. The sleep tracking feature also features comparison charts for various metrics, including respiratory and heart rate.

The watchOS 9 update also comes with even more robust personalization options, allowing you to customize your existing watchfaces with solid and color gradient backgrounds. Additional aesthetic options are a small touch but pay real dividends in making old watchfaces feel new again. Apple has also added watchfaces for the lunar calendar. Lastly, the Portraits watchface now supports pets (finally!). If you want to get a preview of what watchOS 9 has in store, users can still enroll in the public beta through Apple’s website.

Apple’s watchOS 9 launches later this month

At WWDC 2022, Apple confirmed that the Apple Watch Series 3 wouldn’t support watchOS 9. Ever since then, the writing’s been on the wall. And now, it’s official: Apple has finally, finally removed the Series 3 from its online store.

It’s an understatement to say this was a long time coming. Smartwatch hardware generally starts to struggle after about three years, and the Series 3 first launched five years ago in 2017. At the time, it was the first Apple Watch to support LTE connectivity — a massive achievement at a time when few smartwatches were capable of making calls directly from the wrist. When the Series 4 was launched a year later, it remained in the lineup as a cheaper entry-level watch at $199. That’s also how much it cost right up until Apple removed it from the store.

It was a shrewd decision on Apple’s part. For folks who’d never owned a smartwatch before, dropping $400 on the flagship could be unnerving. The discounted Series 3 was potentially a “safer” alternative. But the decision to keep the Series 3 made less and less sense as time went on — particularly after Apple introduced the Apple Watch SE in 2020. Not only that, several Series 3 owners reported issues updating the aging smartwatch to both watchOS 7 and watchOS 8.

Now, with the introduction of a new Apple Watch SE and the Apple Watch Ultra, there’s simply no good reason to buy a new Series 3. The SE is the new entry-level watch, while the Series 8 replaces it as the “regular” or “midtier” option. The Ultra now sits atop the lineup as the premium model. Technically, Apple should have retired the Series 3 as soon as WWDC was over, but them’s the breaks.

If you happen to be a Series 3 owner, now might be a good time to consider upgrading. It’s time.

Apple discontinues the Apple Watch Series 3

Apple has announced a new Apple Watch SE. An upgrade to the original SE, the new smartwatch is the second generation of the company’s entry-level, cellular-capable model. The new SE will cost $249 for the GPS model and $299 for the cellular model, a $30 price drop from the original SE. The Apple Watch SE is available starting September 16th and can be pre-ordered today.

The Apple Watch SE will support the crash detection feature announced on the Apple Watch Series 8 and will be up to 20 percent faster than the first-gen SE, thanks to the new S8 SiP processor, the same as in the Series 8. The new SE watch comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes in silver, midnight, and starlight, with new color-matched back cases. The 44mm models cost $279 for GPS and $329 for cellular.

The company says the crash detection feature is only enabled when the user travels in a vehicle. The two new motion sensors — an improved gyroscope and a new accelerometer — can detect the moment of impact and can automatically notify emergency services and the user’s emergency contacts.

The new Apple Watch SE also supports international roaming by pairing with an iPhone’s roaming plan. It retains all the standard features of the original SE — a Retina OLED display, optical heart rate sensor, fall detection, emergency SOS, sleep tracking, and water resistance up to 50 meters.  

The cellular version of the SE is popular with parents looking for a way to communicate with school-aged children without committing to an iPhone, and Apple announced that the new SE will work with Apple’s Family Setup feature, which debuted with the SE.

This lets you set up an Apple Watch SE using a parent or caregiver’s iPhone. But then, the device can act independently. That feature wasn’t available on the less expensive Apple Watch Series 3. The new SE also has a 30 percent larger screen than the Series 3 (the same size as the first-gen SE). The Series 3 has officially been discontinued, making the SE the entry-level Apple Watch model.

Since its launch two years ago, the Apple Watch SE line has been a good option for those looking for a more budget-friendly wearable to pair with their iPhone. You sacrifice some higher-end features found on the premium models, such as the always-on display and the new temperature sensor. But you save some cash.

Apple announces a new Apple Watch SE

The Apple Watch Ultra has a 49mm case and a flat sapphire crystal display. Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

Today was a big day for Apple wearables. Not only did Apple announce the brand-new Series 8, but it also refreshed the SE and unveiled the rugged Apple Watch Ultra. In other words, we have a totally new Apple Watch lineup.

The Apple Watch Ultra is the star of the show because it isn’t something we’ve seen before. It’s got a big honking 49mm rectangular display, which... truly is in a class of its own. Not only is it the biggest Apple Watch screen, but it’s also the brightest at 2,000 nits. As for how that wrist slab feels, it was actually lighter on my wrist than I’d expected, probably because its case is made of titanium. But make no mistake — it is a BIG watch.

Another thing that’s immediately apparent is the design tweaks Apple’s made for the extreme fitness crowd. There’s the new orange Action button, a button guard, and a redesigned crown. The rim around the display is also raised to protect the sapphire crystal display — which is something we saw on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro as well. Plus, that display is truly flat.

Next up is the Apple Watch Series 8. At a glance, there’s really not too much to differentiate it from the Series 7, though I can definitely tell the screen appears bigger. Inside, there’s a new temperature sensor, though it’s not something I was able to really check out here in Cupertino. The sensor is meant to help retrospectively detect ovulation. It’s also got an updated chip — the S8 — which keeps things snappy when you’re swiping through menus. The Series 8 also has a new gyroscope and accelerometer to help call emergency services if it detects you’ve been in a car crash.  

The new SE is also a fairly incremental update. It, too, gets an upgrade to the S8 chip, whereas the original SE was a bit of a Frankenstein watch. It had the processor of the Series 5 mixed in with some sensors used in the Series 6 minus the EKG sensor. The new SE has the same motion sensors as the Series 8 for crash detection and is 20 percent faster than before. The screen is also 30 percent larger than the Series 3, and the sensor array color matches the front. It’s mostly still missing the always-on display and the new temperature sensor.

The Apple Watch Ultra, Series 8, and SE are available for preorder today. The Series 8 and SE will ship on September 16, with the Ultra shipping on the 23rd. We’ll be putting all three through their paces, so keep an eye out for our review.

Developing...

Apple Watch Series 8, SE 2, and Ultra hands-on: triple the fun

Apple just held its Far Out event, where it revealed its iPhone 14 lineup, three new Apple Watches, including the long-rumored Apple Watch Ultra, and the next generation of AirPods Pro earbuds.

If you didn’t get a chance to see the show for yourself, you can catch up on all the big news announced here.

The iPhone 14 gets a revived “Plus” model with a bigger size

The iPhone 14 doesn’t come with too many notable upgrades over the iPhone 13, as they both come equipped with the an A15-series chip and a notch. Apple did, however, introduce a new Plus model that comes with a bigger 6.7-inch display and improved battery life.

Both devices come with an upgraded 12-megapixel main camera sensor, as well as a 12-megapixel TrueDepth selfie camera with autofocus.

The iPhone 14 starts $799 and the iPhone 14 Plus starts at $899. You can preorder them on September 9th, with the iPhone 14 to become available starting September 16th and the Plus becoming available on October 7th.

The iPhone 14 Pro has a notchless design with a “dynamic island”

The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max come with a few big upgrades, including a design that swaps out the notch for a pill-shaped cutout that houses the camera and under-display FaceID system. Apple calls this the “dynamic island,” as notifications will pop out and move around this space.

Additionally, the Pro line has a more powerful A16 chip, a brighter display, better battery life, and a 48-megapixel rear camera with a quad-pixel sensor. Apple’s bringing always-on displays to the iPhone Pro and Pro Max as well, which dim your lockscreen’s wallpaper when enabled to continue showing notifications without eating up too much battery.

The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will cost $999 and $1,099, respectively. You can preorder them starting on September 9th, with both devices becoming available on September 16th.

Apple goes all-in on eSIM

Apple announced that it won’t include physical SIM trays with iPhone 14 models sold in the US. The iPhone 14 will use an eSIM instead, also known as a digital SIM card. Apple says eSIMs are more secure and should help users easily switch between carriers — but it could be trickier for anyone used to the simplicity of popping their SIM card out and switching it to another phone to change service.

The iPhone 14 can send emergency messages over satellite

Apple is adding satellite connectivity to the new iPhone 14 and 14 Pro for emergency situations in the US and Canada. If you’re in need of help and have no service, Apple says you should be able to point your phone to the nearest satellite to send an SOS message to a nearby emergency service, as long as the sky is clear. The feature will be included for free on new phones for two years.

Apple introduces the new Apple Watch Ultra for extreme sports

Apple’s brand new Watch Ultra offers a more rugged design for extreme sports athletes. It has a larger 49mm titanium case designed to protect it from wear and tear, along with a new customizable action button to transition between sports. The new Oceanic Plus App also gives Ultra users the ability to track their underwater dives.

The Apple Watch Ultra provides up to 36 hours of battery life on just one charge, with Apple set to introduce a battery optimization feature later this year that will give the Ultra an extended 60-hour battery life.

The Watch Ultra will be available for preorder today for $799, with shipments starting September 23rd.

The Watch Series 8 comes with new temperature sensors

Apple’s next-gen Watch Series 8 has two new temperature sensors — one on the back and one beneath the display — designed to help with fertility tracking. The watch checks your temperature every five seconds, and Apple says it can detect temperature changes as minor as 0.1 degrees Celsius.

There’s also a new crash-detecting feature that senses if you’ve been in a car crash and gives you the option to call for help. Apple announced a low-power mode as well, which disables certain features, like always-on display, to help conserve battery.

The Watch Series 8 starts at $399 for GPS and $499 for cellular. Preorders open today, and it’ll be available starting September 16th.

The Apple Watch SE is back

Apple has introduced the next-generation Apple Watch SE. It comes with an upgraded S8 chip that makes it 20 percent faster than the 2020 model, and also has some of the same capabilities as the Watch Series 8, including crash detection.

You can preorder it today for $249 with GPS or $299 with cellular before it becomes available on September 16th.

The second-generation AirPods Pro are here with better noise cancellation

Apple has announced an upgraded AirPods Pro, which Apple CEO Tim Cook called its “most advanced” so far. They come with a new H2 chip, spatial audio, and have twice the noise canceling capabilities as the previous model.

In addition to an increased 6 hours of listening time on a single charge (or 30 hours with the charging case), there are also speakers installed on each earbud and the charging case, so you can locate them using the Find My app.

You can preorder the AirPods Pro for $249 on September 9th, with availability starting September 23rd.

iOS 16 and watchOS 9 are coming on September 12th

iOS 16 and watchOS 9 will roll out starting September 12th. The iOS 16 update enables new features for the lockscreen, including widgets and notifications that roll up from the bottom of the screen, while watchOS 9 adds a bundle of new fitness tracking metrics.

Apple’s iPhone 14 event: the 9 biggest announcements

In the keynote, Apple highlighted some cool features available on the Apple Watch Ultra. Notable was the compass, which allows adventurers to set waypoints and also backtrack based on their GPS data. If you are out in the wilderness with few landmark features, it can be hard to figure out how to get back to where you started. With Apple Watch Ultra, you can set GPS waypoints and get a path to show you how to return to those points.

To ensure you have waypoints available at all times, the Apple Watch Ultra packs a bigger battery, capable of 36 hours of normal use. Using a low-power setting, you can extend the battery life to 60 hours. Apple will be releasing this premium watch with three new bands suitable for the outdoors – Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band.

Discussing the new Apple Watch Ultra, Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer, said:

“Inspired by explorers and athletes from around the world, we created an entirely new category of Apple Watch designed for new and extreme environments — it’s the most rugged and capable Apple Watch yet. Apple Watch Ultra is a versatile tool that empowers users to push their boundaries with adventure, endurance, and exploration.”

The Apple Watch Ultra is great for divers as it can be used underwater as deep as 40 metres and comes with an app called Oceanic+ which turns the watch into a dive computer. It provides dive planning, metrics, visual and haptic alerts, ascent ratio, and more. A dive logbook in the app will also sync to your iPhone automatically.

On both the Ultra and Series 8, Apple showed off Cycle Tracking, which uses temperature sensing to provide improved period predictions. If the software notices a deviation in the user’s cycle, it will notify the user, as it could be a sign of a health condition. Additionally, these devices come with Crash Detection, which will call emergency services automatically with your location if you don’t respond within 10 seconds. Details are also shared with an emergency contact.

Pre-orders open today, with availability in stores beginning on September 23 for the Ultra and September 16 for the other two watches. Those who purchase one of the watches will receive three months of Apple Fitness+. Prices for the Apple Watch SE start at $249, the Apple Watch Series 8 starts at $399, and the Apple Watch Ultra starts at $799.

Developing...

Apple unveils the new Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra

Google is rolling out patches to fix some Pixel bugs after the phones received the latest Android 13 update last month. The September 2022 monthly update is being delivered throughout the week to most devices, addressing issues like unexpected battery drain and disabled wireless charging.

The patch won’t arrive on Google’s newest phone, the Pixel 6A, until later this month. The Pixel 6A has one fix specifically included in the list, addressing its fingerprint scanner’s recognition “in certain conditions.” As noted by Consumer Reports, some owners of the new phone have found it will unlock using a finger they hadn’t registered or for the fingerprint of an entirely different person.

For the increased battery drain, Google’s blaming a launcher background activity issue and says it has fixed that in this update. And if your wireless charging wouldn’t always activate, this update is supposed to restore that functionality to the Pixel 4, 4 XL, 5, 6, and 6 Pro.

Google’s turbulent start with the Android 13 launch is unfortunately not a first. The first major Android 12 update last December was supposed to address a number of launch issues and add new features on its Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, but Google had to pause its rollout after finding that some phones would disconnect or drop calls. It was one of the rockiest starts for a wide release of Android yet, and hopefully, history doesn’t repeat itself with the Pixel 7 launch right around the corner.

Other issues that are being addressed include problems connecting some Bluetooth devices or accessories and correcting lock screen notifications that would only partially display. The version number for the latest update is TP1A.220905.004, and you can see the full changelog listed below.

Battery & Charging

Fix for issue occasionally causing increased battery drain from certain launcher background activities

Fix for issue preventing wireless charging mode to activate in certain conditions *[1]

Biometrics

Additional improvements for fingerprint recognition and response in certain conditions *[2]

Bluetooth

Fix for issue occasionally preventing certain Bluetooth devices or accessories from connecting

User Interface

Fix for issue occasionally causing notifications to appear truncated on the lock screen

Fixes are available for all supported Pixel devices unless otherwise indicated below.

*[1] Included on Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 5, Pixel 6 & Pixel 6 Pro

*[2] Included on Pixel 6a

First Android 13 patch for Pixels fixes wireless charging and battery drain problems

Google has announced that it will hold an event on October 6 where it will show off its Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro in more depth, as well as its Pixel Watch and Pixel Buds. The company is planning to hold the event at 10 a.m. ET, according to a tweet put out earlier. The search giant attached a video of the upcoming phones, watch, and buds, giving us a good idea about what will be announced.

Google has not kept the Pixel 7 series or the Pixel Watch a very closely guarded secret. In fact, for several months, it has had dedicated pages for them on its Google Store. We know that the Pixel 7 will be available in three colours: Obsidian, Lemongrass, and Snow and that they will feature the Google Tensor G2 chip which will bring new features to photos and improve videos, security, and speech recognition.

According to CNBC, Google is planning to make the new products available for order on the same day that they’re announced. Now that the COVID-19 pandemic is largely over, Google will be holding the event in-person in New York City, but you’ll be able to tune in on YouTube during and after the event.

While Google has taken the wraps off its Pixel phones, we still don’t know too much about the specifications or pricing, officially. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro went on sale for $599 and $899 respectively, so expect similar pricing for the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, unless Google takes the opportunity to factor in the recent inflation and bump up the prices.

Source: Twitter via CNBC

Google is set to launch new phones and watch at October 6 event

The Huawei Mate 50 might have just edged out Apple in the space-texting race. Image: Huawei

Huawei has announced the Mate 50 series, a day ahead of Apple’s September event and with a feature that the iPhone 14 is expected to offer: the ability to send texts via satellite communication. The Mate 50 and Mate 50 Pro will be able to send short texts and utilize navigation thanks to China’s global BeiDou satellite network, allowing for communication in areas without cellular signal.

The flagship Mate 50 series includes 4G-only versions of the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset with 8GB of RAM. The 50 Pro comes with a slightly bigger 6.74-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, while the Mate 50 offers a 6.7-inch, 90Hz OLED panel. Both include a 50-megapixel main rear camera with a variable aperture lens with stops from f/1.4 to f/4 — most smartphone cameras use fixed apertures, so a moving aperture is neat, but the lens itself is so small that it’s unlikely to create any kind of meaningful difference in depth-of-field in most situations.

Both models share a 13-megapixel f/2.2 ultrawide, and while each has a telephoto lens, the Pro gets an upgraded 64-megapixel camera capable of 200x digital zoom — the standard Mate 50 offers 100x digital zoom with a lower-res 12-megapixel sensor.

If you feel like you’re hearing a lot about satellite-based communication these days, it’s because you are. T-Mobile and SpaceX just announced a partnership that aims to bring this feature to T-Mobile subscribers by way of Starlink satellites. And the rumors of Apple’s satellite messaging feature have been swirling since last year.

In all of these cases, the technology will likely be limited, at least at first. T-Mobile says its system will allow for text and even picture messaging, but voice calls and data won’t be coming until later. And based on Huawei’s description of the system, it looks like the Mate 50 phones will only be able to send texts by satellite, and won’t be able to receive them. In all of these cases, satellite-based texting aims to provide an emergency connection in places without signal to get urgent messages out, rather than a way to keep up with your group chats while you’re out of cell range. In any case, we’ll have to wait at least a little longer for the feature in the US — Huawei’s devices will, of course, not be sold here.

The first phone maker to add satellite texting to its devices is... Huawei

Brazil halts sales of charger-less iPhones, fines Apple $2.3 million

Apple’s iPhone 14 launch event is just days away, and it’s expected to showcase a range of new devices — not just a new iPhone. We’re also on the lookout for three (yes, we said three) new Apple Watch models and even a refreshed pair of AirPods Pro earbuds.

Apple’s holding a small in-person event at its Apple Park campus and will stream the show online, similar to what it did with WWDC in June. Here’s what we might see at Apple’s hardware-heavy event, which is slated for September 7th, 2022, at 1PM ET.

The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max get some major upgrades

Apple will, of course, reveal the brand new iPhone 14 in September, but the standard model likely won’t be the star of the show. The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are expected to carry the bulk of the new and exciting features.

There are three big features expected in the 14 Pro and Pro Max: a customizable always-on display (a feature Android phones have had for years); a 48-megapixel rear camera with a larger sensor; and a screen that gets rid of the notch in favor of smaller camera cutouts.

Speaking of the cutouts, a report from MacRumors indicates the camera and speaker will have separate cutouts when the screen’s turned off but will form one long pill shape when it’s powered on. A tipster told 9to5Mac that Apple will use the extra space between the two cutouts to more prominently display the privacy indicators for the camera and microphone, which users may be able to tap into for more information about what’s currently accessing them. 9to5Mac also said Apple may optimize its Camera app for its Pro devices by shifting some of its controls, like the flash and autofocus button to the top of the screen, with others housed directly beneath the cutout.

The phone should also get an upgraded A16 processing chip and potentially have two new colors: blue and deep purple. It’s also rumored to support a faster 30W charger (but the phone itself probably won’t come with USB-C just yet), as well as start with 256GB of storage, a jump from the 128GB floor that previous Pro and Pro Max models have. The Pro line is also rumored to have slimmer bezels and bigger batteries. It’s a solid list of new features that Apple may use to justify a rumored price hike for its higher-end iPhones.

However, it doesn’t seem like the standard version of the iPhone 14 will come with many major changes. The biggest update to the non-Pro model is expected to be the introduction of a larger 6.7-inch display in the iPhone 14 Max — if it’s even called that. Purported phone packaging from Apple’s factory indicates that the company might be planning to swap the “Max” branding on the standard iPhone model for “Plus,” a moniker Apple hasn’t used since the iPhone 8 Plus.

Naming aside, rumors from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicate that the iPhone 14 (plus the Pro and Pro Max) may also have a better selfie camera that uses autofocus. Performance-wise, the base iPhone 14 will likely use the same A15 processor used in the iPhone 13 series. And if you’re a small phone lover, I’m sorry to say that a new Mini likely won’t make an appearance this year.

Rumors have also been swirling about the iPhone 14 coming with satellite connectivity, something users can take advantage of in emergency situations without cellular service. Satellite connectivity was rumored for the iPhone 13 last year, and in February, satellite company Globalstar acquired 17 new satellites “to provide continuous satellite services to the potential customer,” which some speculate is Apple. The “Far Out” event branding could also hint at this possibility.

New Apple Watch models: Series 8, SE, and “Pro”

Apple’s gearing up to launch three new Apple Watch models: the Watch Series 8, a refreshed SE, and a new rugged “Pro” model designed for athletes who partake in extreme sports.

Let’s start with the Series 8. According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, the next-gen watch will come equipped with a new S8 chip, but it won’t offer a notable performance upgrade over the S7 and S6 chips. While Apple isn’t expected to include a way to monitor your blood pressure just yet, it may come with a temperature sensor that will detect if you have a fever, as well as fertility-tracking features.

Meanwhile, the new Apple Watch SE is expected to replace the budget Watch Series 3. It will likely come with the same S8 chip, an upgrade over the S5 chip the 2020 SE model uses. Other than that, it doesn’t look like any other huge changes are in store — it’s expected to retain the same display size as the current SE.

As for the rumored rugged Apple Watch “Pro,” Gurman believes it could come with a larger “nearly 2-inch display” that’s “more shatter-resistant.” It may also sport a “strong metal” case instead of a rubberized exterior that was hinted at previously. A report from the Japan-based Mac Otakara adds more color to these rumors, noting that the Pro model could have a flat-edged display with a larger 47mm case, an increase from the Apple Watch Series 7’s 41mm and 45mm sizes. It may not even fit into older Watch bands.

While we’re not expecting the first variation of this watch to come with satellite connectivity, Gurman predicts a future model of the Pro watch could have satellite features, which is something the company has reportedly discussed internally. Even without the satellite features, don’t expect this watch to be cheap — Gurman expects it to cost anywhere from $900 to $999.

The next generation of the AirPods Pro

The AirPods Pro haven’t received an update since their initial launch in 2019. Now, nearly three years later, we may finally see the release of the AirPods Pro 2 at the Far Out event.

First off, expect them to look different. The new AirPods Pro may resemble the Beats Fit Pro, potentially with an in-ear wing tip design that drops the stem. They could also have a focus on fitness tracking thanks to the potential for upgraded motion sensors.

Kuo also hinted at the possibility of the AirPods Pro supporting lossless audio, allowing for higher-quality sound. This would also make the AirPods Pro 2 the first model to use the Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) — even the high-end AirPods Max don’t support it. If the AirPods Pro 2 do end up supporting the Apple Lossless Audio Codec, it’ll be interesting to see how Apple manages to get around the limitations of Bluetooth, which generally requires compressing audio quality.

However, reports from MacRumors and 9to5Mac suggest Apple could take a different approach. Apple may instead be working on adding Bluetooth 5.2 support, which uses a new codec that’s supposed to transmit audio more efficiently, allowing for either higher quality audio or reduced battery usage. A recent filing with the Bluetooth SIG products database indicates Apple may be looking into adopting the technology for the AirPods Pro, and 9to5Mac says it saw references to the technology in iOS 16’s code.

The AirPods Pro 2 charging case may also get an upgrade. It may come with a small speaker that makes a sound when you try to locate it via the Find My app. Only the AirPods themselves make a sound right now, and adding the capability to the case could come in handy if it ever gets separated from your AirPods.

We may get iOS 16 and watchOS 9 launch dates

We first heard about iOS 16 when Apple announced it in June, and we have a pretty good idea of what to expect based on what we’ve seen from the public beta. Gurman says Apple wrapped up development last week, and the company is likely to launch a finalized version of iOS 16 within about a week of its iPhone 14 event.

iOS 16 brings a number of new features, including the ability to edit and unsend messages as well as a customizable lock screen. It also introduces repositioned notifications that appear at the bottom of your lock screen and a Live Activities lock screen widget that provides updates on real-time events, such as sports scores or food delivery progress.

Oh yeah, and battery percentage is back... but not in the way you might expect (or like). Luckily, Apple may find a way to squeeze in the old battery percentage indicator — which shows the battery icon and percentage side-by-side — in the iPhone 14 Pro’s status bar now that we’re expecting a design with no notch.

In addition to iOS 16, Apple could also launch watchOS 9 alongside its three new smartwatches. The watchOS 9 beta has been out for a couple of months now, and it’s set to bring quite a few improvements to the Apple Watch. This includes new running metrics, medication reminders, sleep stage tracking, passive AFib monitoring, and enhanced watchface customization.

Is that all?

It looks like this is it for this particular Apple event, but luckily, we shouldn’t have to wait much longer for another round of new Apple products. Apple’s expected to return to its old pre-pandemic schedule of holding an iPhone event in September and then a separate event in October to showcase its new iPads and Macs.

That’s when we can expect a new M2-equipped iPad Pro as well as an entry-level iPad with the A14 chip. Apple’s also rumored to release three new Macs, including a Mac Mini, Mac Pro, and MacBook Pro, all with Apple’s M2 chip. iPadOS and macOS Ventura will likely arrive around this time as well.

We’re still waiting for Apple’s long-rumored mixed reality headset, too, and it would be kind of a long shot to expect the company to show it off this year. It looks like Apple is making some progress, though. Recent trademark filings indicate that Apple’s looking into “Reality” branding for its new headset, which its board of directors reportedly got to test out earlier this year. Kuo predicts the device won’t launch until January 2023.

And remember that rumored iPhone subscription we heard about earlier this year? There’s apparently a possibility that it could launch by the end of this year according to Gurman, potentially giving you the option to pay a monthly fee to “lease” an iPhone or iPad.

Update August 24th, 12:05PM ET: Updated to confirm that Apple’s event is happening on September 7th.

Update August 29th, 11:29AM ET: Updated to add new rumors surrounding Apple’s upcoming devices.

Update August 31st, 5:47PM ET: Updated to add additional rumors about the iPhone 14.

Update August 31st, 6:19PM ET: Updated to add more information regarding the iPhone 14’s cutout.

Update September 4th, 3:44PM ET: Updated to add more iPhone 14 and Apple Watch rumors.

What to expect from Apple’s iPhone 14 event

The device shows the faint Google logo on its rear. Image: Gadgetfull BD

What appears to be the upcoming Google Pixel 7 Pro surfaced in a brief unboxing video posted on Facebook by Gadgetfull BD, a technology shop based in Bangladesh. The video shows someone taking the device out of a Google-branded box and showing off its sleek black exterior, which features Google’s “G” logo stamped on the back.

Google first teased the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro at I/O in May, and will likely launch the device next month alongside the Pixel Watch. The phone in the video posted to Facebook matches up with Google’s official renders, complete with the aluminum camera bar with two cutouts for the sensors. It even features what looks like Google Pixel’s official animation sequence when it’s booted up, followed by a device setup screen.

There isn’t much else the video tells us about the new device, and Gadgetfull BD doesn’t offer any additional details in its description. We’ve already seen a couple of alleged Pixel 7 prototypes crop up, with one user selling one on eBay, and another on Reddit claiming they purchased the device from Facebook Marketplace.

Each leak has basically confirmed the designs Google presented earlier this year, but this particular video could indicate that Google’s getting closer to actually launching it. The two previous leaks didn’t show a Google logo on the device’s rear and also didn’t include any product packaging.

Google doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to keeping its Pixel phones secret up until launch, and the Pixel Watch has shaped up to be just as leaky. With Google’s fall launch event just around the corner, it won’t be long until we get to see what Google really has in store.

Alleged Google Pixel 7 Pro appears in unboxing video ahead of launch

Office Insiders on iOS has received Version 2.65 (22082900), which now lets users view, create, and edit PowerPoint slides in portrait orientation on their iPhone or iPad devices. You can go to the Design tab in the ribbon and tap Orientation, then tap Portrait and see the slide in focus change to portrait orientation. iOS users are also getting the option to enable dark mode while they working on a document quickly. You can tap the More Options (…) menu in the upper-right corner of the screen and toggle on or off the Switch to Light/Dark Background button. The complete official changelog is given below.

Office Version 2.65 (22082900) for iOS

There is something for Android users too. Microsoft is adding a new capability to Outlook, enabling you to set rules around meeting forwarding, RSVP requests, new time proposals, and hiding attendees. You can learn more about the functionality in the complete official changelog below.

Office Version 16.0.15629.20002 for Android

All the features Microsoft introduced to Office Preview builds will eventually be available to the general public in the future. However, we cannot tell when they will be available. But they should not take a long time to arrive for the Office stable users since Office Insiders are testing them. Meanwhile, Microsoft will hopefully release a new Office Insider Build next month for both Android and iOS users. We’ll keep you updated if we find anything interesting in the update.

If you’re not a part of the Office Insider program, you can join Office Insider for Android by following a few simple steps. You can click on this link for a step-by-step installation guide. If you’re an Insider on iOS, you can install the latest Office update on your device to try these new features. You can download the Microsoft Office app from the below link.

  

 

Download QR-Code

‎Microsoft Office

Developer: Microsoft Corporation

Price: Free+

 

Microsoft brings new features to Office apps for Android and iOS users

Lockheimar has not disclosed much about the company's plan for the rollout of satellite connections on Android devices. But if 9to5Google is to be believed, "the next version of Android" the senior vice president has mentioned is Android 14.

Satellite connectivity support in Android will perhaps require compatible hardware, and if that is the case, it rules out the possibility of all the Android handsets, including entry-level ones, getting the support for establishing connections over satellite connectivity. However, companies like Samsung would unlikely hesitate to include it in their flagship Android models, such as the Galaxy S series.

Not only will satellite connections be something that's cool to have on the phone, but the piece of tech will also be helpful in a situation where you do not have proper cellular connectivity to send an emergency message. It will be super beneficial in times of emergencies.

Besides Google, Apple's next-generation iPhone 14 models could support satellite connections. A week ago, SpaceX and T-Mobile jointly announced universal cellular connectivity, with an aim to provide smartphone connectivity everywhere in the United States. One significant advantage of SpaceX and T-Mobile's solution is that it won't require you to modify your smartphone, nor will it need you to install an app. It will be interesting to see how Google does it.

via Android Authority | 9to5Google

Future versions of Android may support direct satellite connectivity

Apple’s iPhone 14 launch event is just weeks away, and it’s expected to showcase a range of new devices — not just a new iPhone. We’re also on the lookout for three (yes, we said three) new Apple Watch models and even a refreshed pair of AirPods Pro earbuds.

Apple’s holding a small in-person event at its Apple Park campus and will stream the show online, similar to what it did with WWDC in June. Here’s what we might see at Apple’s hardware-heavy event, which is slated for September 7th, 2022, at 1PM ET.

The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max get some major upgrades

Apple will, of course, reveal the brand new iPhone 14 in September, but the standard model likely won’t be the star of the show. The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are expected to carry the bulk of the new and exciting features.

There are three big features expected in the 14 Pro and Pro Max: an always-on display (a feature Android phones have had for years); a 48-megapixel rear camera with a larger sensor; and a screen that gets rid of the notch in favor of smaller camera cutouts.

Speaking of the cutouts, a report from MacRumors indicates the camera and speaker will have separate cutouts when the screen’s turned off but will form one long pill shape when it’s powered on. A tipster told 9to5Mac that Apple will use the extra space between the two cutouts to more prominently display the privacy indicators for the camera and microphone, which users may be able to tap into for more information about what’s currently accessing them. 9to5Mac also said Apple may optimize its Camera app for its Pro devices by shifting some of its controls, like the flash and autofocus button to the top of the screen, with others housed directly beneath the cutout.

The phone should also get an upgraded A16 processing chip and potentially have two new colors: blue and deep purple. It’s also rumored to support a faster 30W charger (but the phone itself probably won’t come with USB-C just yet), as well as start with 256GB of storage, a jump from the 128GB floor that previous Pro and Pro Max models have. It’s a solid list of new features that Apple may use to justify a rumored price hike.

However, it doesn’t seem like the standard version of the iPhone 14 will come with many major changes. The biggest update to the non-Pro model is expected to be the introduction of a larger 6.7-inch display in the iPhone 14 Max — if it’s even called that. Purported phone packaging from Apple’s factory indicates that the company might be planning to swap the “Max” branding on the standard iPhone model for “Plus,” a moniker Apple hasn’t used since the iPhone 8 Plus.

Naming aside, rumors from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicate that the iPhone 14 (plus the Pro and Pro Max) may also have a better selfie camera that uses autofocus. Performance-wise, the base iPhone 14 will likely use the same A15 processor used in the iPhone 13 series. And if you’re a small phone lover, I’m sorry to say that a new Mini likely won’t make an appearance this year.

Rumors have also been swirling about the iPhone 14 coming with satellite connectivity, something users can take advantage of in emergency situations without cellular service. Satellite connectivity was rumored for the iPhone 13 last year, and in February, satellite company Globalstar acquired 17 new satellites “to provide continuous satellite services to the potential customer,” which some speculate is Apple. The “Far Out” event branding could also hint at this possibility.

New Apple Watch models: Series 8, SE, and “Pro”

Apple’s gearing up to launch three new Apple Watch models: the Watch Series 8, a refreshed SE, and a new rugged “Pro” model designed for athletes who partake in extreme sports.

Let’s start with the Series 8. According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, the next-gen watch will come equipped with a new S8 chip, but it won’t offer a notable performance upgrade over the S7 and S6 chips. While Apple isn’t expected to include a way to monitor your blood pressure just yet, it may come with a temperature sensor that will detect if you have a fever.

Meanwhile, the new Apple Watch SE is expected to replace the budget Watch Series 3. It will likely come with the same S8 chip, an upgrade over the S5 chip the 2020 SE model uses. Other than that, it doesn’t look like any other huge changes are in store — it’s expected to retain the same display size as the current SE.

As for the rumored rugged Apple Watch “Pro,” Gurman believes it could come with a larger “nearly 2-inch display” that’s “more shatter-resistant.” It may also sport a “strong metal” case instead of a rubberized exterior that was hinted at previously. A report from the Japan-based Mac Otakara adds more color to these rumors, noting that the Pro model could have a flat-edged display with a larger 47mm case, an increase from the Apple Watch Series 7’s 41mm and 45mm sizes. It may not even fit into older Watch bands.

While we’re not expecting the first variation of this watch to come with satellite connectivity, Gurman predicts a future model of the Pro watch could have satellite features, which is something the company has reportedly discussed internally. Even without the satellite features, don’t expect this watch to be cheap — Gurman expects it to cost anywhere from $900 to $999.

The next generation of the AirPods Pro

The AirPods Pro haven’t received an update since their initial launch in 2019. Now, nearly three years later, we may finally see the release of the AirPods Pro 2.

First off, expect them to look different. The new AirPods Pro may resemble the Beats Fit Pro, potentially with an in-ear wing tip design that drops the stem. They could also have a focus on fitness tracking thanks to the potential for upgraded motion sensors.

Kuo also hinted at the possibility of the AirPods Pro supporting lossless audio, allowing for higher-quality sound. This would also make the AirPods Pro 2 the first model to use the Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) — even the high-end AirPods Max don’t support it. If the AirPods Pro 2 do end up supporting the Apple Lossless Audio Codec, it’ll be interesting to see how Apple manages to get around the limitations of Bluetooth, which generally requires compressing audio quality.

However, reports from MacRumorsand 9to5Macsuggest Apple could take a different approach. Apple may instead be working on adding Bluetooth 5.2 support, which uses a new codec that’s supposed to transmit audio more efficiently, allowing for either higher quality audio or reduced battery usage. A recent filing with the Bluetooth SIG products database indicates Apple may be looking into adopting the technology for the AirPods Pro, and 9to5Mac says it saw references to the technology in iOS 16’s code.

The AirPods Pro 2 charging case may also get an upgrade. It may come with a small speaker that makes a sound when you try to locate it via the Find My app. Only the AirPods themselves make a sound right now, and adding the capability to the case could come in handy if it ever gets separated from your AirPods.

We may get iOS 16 and watchOS 9 launch dates

We first heard about iOS 16 when Apple announced it in June, and we have a pretty good idea of what to expect based on what we’ve seen from the public beta. Gurman says Apple wrapped up development last week, and the company is likely to launch a finalized version of iOS 16 within about a week of its iPhone 14 event.

iOS 16 brings a number of new features, including the ability to edit and unsend messages as well as a customizable lock screen. It also introduces repositioned notifications that appear at the bottom of your lock screen and a Live Activities lock screen widget that provides updates on real-time events, such as sports scores or food delivery progress. Oh yeah, and battery percentage is back... but not in the way you might expect (or like).

In addition to iOS 16, Apple could also launch watchOS 9 alongside its three new smartwatches. The watchOS 9 beta has been out for a couple of months now, and it’s set to bring quite a few improvements to the Apple Watch. This includes new running metrics, medication reminders, sleep stage tracking, passive AFib monitoring, and enhanced watchface customization.

Is that all?

It looks like this is it for this particular Apple event, but luckily, we shouldn’t have to wait much longer for another round of new Apple products. Apple’s expected to return to its old pre-pandemic schedule of holding an iPhone event in September and then a separate event in October to showcase its new iPads and Macs.

That’s when we can expect a new M2-equipped iPad Pro as well as an entry-level iPad with the A14 chip. Apple’s also rumored to release three new Macs, including a Mac Mini, Mac Pro, and MacBook Pro, all with Apple’s M2 chip. iPadOS and macOS Ventura will likely arrive around this time as well.

We’re still waiting for Apple’s long-rumored mixed reality headset, too, and it would be kind of a long shot to expect the company to show it off this year. It looks like Apple is making some progress, though. Recent trademark filings indicate that Apple’s looking into “Reality” branding for its new headset, which its board of directors reportedly got to test out earlier this year. Kuo predicts the device won’t launch until January 2023.

Update August 24th, 12:05PM ET: Updated to confirm that Apple’s event is happening on September 7th.

Update August 29th, 11:29AM ET: Updated to add new rumors surrounding Apple’s upcoming devices.

Update August 31st, 5:47PM ET: Updated to add additional rumors about the iPhone 14.

Update August 31st, 6:19PM ET: Updated to add more information regarding the iPhone 14’s cutout.

What to expect from Apple’s iPhone 14 event

Both the 6D (shown above) and the 6D Ultimate (shown below) still share a lot of similarities with the 6 and 6 Pro, however the 'D' suffix in the names of these phones is suspected to mean Dimensity. It's reported that the 6 series Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is going to be replaced with the cheaper and slightly less powerful Mediatek Dimensity 9000+ system on a chip.

Nothing else is known yet about these devices and what other changes have been made, as visually, they are very similar to their predecessors. Asus has a reveal event lined up for the 6D and 6D Ultimate on the 19th September, where its expected pricing and availability will be announced.

Based on the hardware changes, it is expected that the 6D and 6D Ultimate are to be lower cost alternatives to the 6 and 6 Pro. Reports suggest that the 6D Ultimate is to be the cheapest option of the range, despite its name suggesting otherwise.

Source: 91mobiles

Leaked images surface of the ASUS ROG Phone 6D and 6D Ultimate