Apple news and rumors continue to circulate, with new stories this week including the iPhone 15 series, a reported 15-inch MacBook Air, and Apple’s AR/VR headset.
This week also saw the release of iOS 16.3.1, which included bug fixes and security updates, and Apple began a fresh cycle of beta testing with iOS 16.4 and accompanying releases, which included some substantial improvements, so keep reading for more information!
Everything New in iOS 16.4: Emoji Characters, Web Push Notifications, Simplified Beta Installation, and More
Apple has finally began seeding its next series of beta releases for testing, more than three weeks after delivering iOS 16.3 and related improvements to the public. iOS 16.4 delivers a slew of new features and improvements, including new emoji characters, web push notification support, Podcasts app changes, and more.
Along with iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4, Apple also released the first beta versions of macOS Ventura 13.3, watchOS 9.4, and tvOS 16.4, with a public release for everyone expected in a month or two.
The iPhone 15 Pro is rumored to have ultra-thin bezels like the Apple Watch.
According to a recent iPhone 15 rumor, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max variants will have ultra-thin display bezels similar to those found on previous Apple Watch models. The device’s bezels may also slope down at the corners, though the display itself will stay flat.
A new set of renders of the rumoured iPhone 15 Pro based on a case manufacturer’s leak backs up the idea of reduced bezels, showing a somewhat thinner overall design but with a bigger camera hump. A leaked image also appears to reveal the device’s USB-C port, which will replace the Lightning connector.
The 15-inch MacBook Air is expected to be released in April, once display production begins.
We’ve been hearing for months about a prospective 15-inch MacBook Air variant, and a latest rumor implies it could be released in the near future.
Apple’s supply chain partners, according to display expert Ross Young, have begun production of display panels for the new model, while DigiTimes predicts the machine will launch next quarter and incorporate Apple’s M2 chip.
Apple Postpones the Release of an AR/VR Headset Until June.
Apple’s internal plan for releasing its long-rumored AR/VR headset has been pushed back many times, and it appears that it has been delayed yet again. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company is now preparing to debut it at WWDC in June rather than an April event.
Apple had planned to give the headset a high-profile launch in April before providing more specific information to developers at its developers conference, but it now looks the introduction will take place all at once in June due to ongoing hardware and software challenges. According to reports, Apple is still planning to release the headset before the end of the year.
Apple has released iOS 16.3.1, which includes an iCloud fix, crash detection optimizations, and other improvements.
Apple published an iOS 16.3.1 update for all customers this week, bringing a handful of bug fixes for iCloud settings, Siri queries in Find My, and Crash Detection on iPhone 14 models, as well as several vital security improvements.
One of the main security patches in iOS 16.3.1 and macOS Ventura 13.2.1 is that it resolves a vulnerability that may have been actively exploited.
MacRumors Weekly Newsletter
We produce an email newsletter like this one every week, featuring the top Apple stories. It’s a terrific way to get a bite-sized overview of the week, covering all of the important issues we’ve covered and weaving together related articles for a big-picture view.
