Apple has dabbled in audio transcription in the past with mixed success. One shining example lately has been Apple Podcasts transcripts; more pessimistically, voicemail transcripts are still subpar. But according to a new report, the upcoming iOS 18 release will unlock a host of new system-wide audio transcription and summary features, all powered by AI.
People familiar with the matter have told us that Apple has been working on AI-powered summarization and greatly enhanced audio transcription for several of its next-gen operating systems. The new features are expected to enable significant improvements in efficiency for users of its staple Notes, Voice Memos, and other apps.
These features appear set to make one of the strongest cases for AI integration into various parts of Apple’s operating systems.
Transcription of audio content, and the ability to receive AI summaries of that content, are two highly practical features that can save users a lot of time.
If everything works well, students will be able to record lectures and quickly, easily revisit key information via a transcript. Recorded business meetings can be summarized as a helpful reminder of what was discussed.
If these things are accomplished with true intelligence, they can provide meaningful improvement to users’ lives. These examples would be a great fit for the iPhone, of course, but I also see them being nice selling points for the AI powers of the M4 iPad Pro.
Verdict
Notes and Voice Memos seem like two perfect apps to integrate these features into, but I’m curious to see where else they land. We love a Shazam-style button in Control Center that listens to your environment and automatically transcribes what it hears—all in the background, with minimal power drain. Perhaps this could even tie into Shortcuts somehow. There are so many possibilities.
We’re just one month away from WWDC, where Apple will unveil all the details about its AI ambitions for iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS, and more.
Every now and then, Apple forces you to choose between more than just size when you’re out for this year’s “best iPhone ever” – there have been instances where the Max one-ups the ‘regular’ Pro in that one line in the camera specsheet. Such is the case with the iPhone 15 Pro which only gets a moderate telephoto camera and not the longer reach of the Pro Max.
But, really – does 3x vs 5x make a world of a difference? Particularly with iPhones, where Apple goes to great lengths to standardize the experience across one generation, but also from one generation going into the next? We reckon not, at least for the sake of this reviewer who opted for a Pro, instead of a Pro Max.
The 15 Pro otherwise gets the same treatment as the 15 Pro Max in all the other key areas – like the titanium in the frame that makes it a lot lighter than last year’s model. This is, in fact, perhaps even more of an important development on the smaller model, and it now makes it a more viable option for those looking for a pocketable Pro iPhone.
Naturally, a chipset upgrade is also part of the generational changes and there the Pro is as Pro as the Pro Max, of course – the 3nm A17 Pro is standard equipment. Not quite so is the storage situation, where the regular Pro’s 128GB base trim level isn’t befitting the name – the Pro Max starts at 256GB and that’s a lot more like it.
iPhone 15 Pro (left) next to iPhone 15 Pro Max
Circling back to the cameras (because it’s not all about the telephotos), the iPhone 15 Pro also gets the 24MP jpegs (or heifs, if that’s your thing) and the two intermediate pretend-focal lengths – there’s so much more parity in the imaging department than there are differences, after all.
Apple also invented USB-C this year, perhaps nudged in the right direction by the EU, but why not out of their own accord? (Because probably not.) Not strictly a Pro feature this one, since the vanilla iPhone 15 and the 15 Plus also use the industry-standard connector, but a most welcome development either way.
Then there’s some more of the usual stuff, the usual good stuff. The Pro iPhones have some of the best displays in the business, and the one on the 15 Pro is no different – in the same compact 6.1-inch size Apple settled on in 2020 with the 12 generation. While we’d say that underdisplay fingerprint readers should be mature enough for Apple to finally add one into the mix, Face ID remains a solid option for authentication. The autofocusing selfie camera that’s in that same vicinity has proven great in the past too.
iPhone 15 Pro (left) next to iPhone 15 Pro Max
Battery life has been a strong suit of iPhones for a while and we’re seeing little reason why that would change now. We do sense we’ll be complaining about the 15 Pro‘s charging speeds though, as usual. Have a look at this quick rundown of the specs before we tear the paper tabs on that white box.
Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro unboxing
As expected, the iPhone 15 Pro ships in a half-height retail box, with little inside other than the phone itself. The less important bits that are still included are a SIM ejection tool, an Apple sticker, and some documentation.
The one bundled accessory that’s of more practical significance is the new USB cable (C-C) which is now braided. That should help make it last longer than the plain Apple cables of yesteryear, though we’re not sure the white fabric will be looking pristine a few weeks down the road. The cable is also USB 2.0 spec, so if you’re after the fastest possible transfer speeds, you’d need to get a different one. On to the phone itself we go now.
Competition
An iPhone‘s competition most often comprises other iPhones – be they older ones, the other size from the same lineup, or one from the other lineup. In that sense, you need to have your priorities all figured out when picking the right iPhone for you.
iPhone 15 Pro in front of iPhone 15 Pro Max
For example, if you want the absolute best iPhone on the market, the 15 Pro isn’t that. The 15 Pro Max will get you a longer-reaching telephoto camera, better battery life and more screen estate, though conversely, it will take up more room in your pocket, and it’s also more expensive (€250/$200).
On the other hand, if you’re looking to save some money (€300/$200), you could give up on the Pro and get the vanilla iPhone 15 – not only is it the same size as the 15 Pro, but it’s tangibly lighter, which can be a priority. The 15 is nowhere as good a cameraphone as the 15 Pro – no telephoto, no AF on the UW, and less fancy main camera.
An interesting middle ground is the iPhone 14 Pro. Apple may have discontinued it, but we reckon there’s ample stock at third-party retailers, and for €150 less you can have almost the same phone as the 15 Pro – minus the USB-C port, the latest intermediate zoom modes, the newest chipset (last year’s is fine), and the titanium frame (which may actually be an advantage for the previous generation).
If you’re OS-agnostic or just like jumping ship every now and then, or you may want something that Apple doesn’t make yet, there are plenty of Android options you could entertain.
Samsung’s two foldables easily come to mind – there’s no bendy iPhone just yet. The Galaxy Z Fold5 is perhaps the best bet if you’re after the ultimate smartphone for productivity, while the Z Flip5 is more of a fashion statement with the benefit of some form of pocketability. If that last bit is a top priority, then the Zenfone 10 just might be able to entice you, while an Xperia 1 V could appeal to the right crowd with its extensive video recording chops.
Verdict
The iPhone 15 Pro is a logical if not quite exciting, evolutionary step for the lineup. Small advancement in key areas go with continued refusal to improve on others, but Apple will be Apple. Perhaps that statement alone explains the fact that the new 5x telephoto only comes on the Pro Max and not the Pro, and we’re bummed about it on principle, even if it’s objectively not a big deal.
The high price, scant retail bundle, iOS quirks, and heavy throttling sound like cons we’ve listed before and will continue to do so. On the other hand, traditional strong points of the iPhone are only getting stronger – like the upmarket build and in-hand feel, spectacular display, versatile camera system and great speakers. We’re more than happy to welcome the USB-C port this year on iPhone too.
Ultimately, the iPhone 15 Pro is what you’d expect it to be – the best one to date in size small. As usual, if you’ve already got an iPhone 14 Pro, there’s no truly compelling reason to get a 15 Pro. However, if you’re on an iPhone 13 Pro or older, or on one of the other branches of iPhone (like a vanilla 14 maybe), the 15 Pro will more easily make a convincing case for itself.
Pros
Exquisite and now lighter design, water-resistant up to 6m deep.
Outstanding OLED display – super bright, color-accurate, Dolby Vision capable.
Superb speaker loudness, balance, sound quality.
Top-notch performance.
Every iPhone comes with at least five years of iOS updates.
Upgraded connectivity across the board, UWB2 too.
USB-C is here, and we love it.
Class-leading video capturing and stabilization, impressive Pro modes.
Superb daylight and nighttime photos from all cameras.
Cons
A lot more expensive than corresponding Android alternatives.
No charger in the box, and charging isn’t particularly fast.
Apple’s iOS restrictions can be off-putting to newcomers to the ecosystem.
The photo processing could benefit from less sharpening at times.
Limiting the 5x telephoto to just the Max feels arbitrary (and so is the 256GB base storage).
The rear glass is reportedly much more shatter-prone than before.
An improved display. Better cameras. A faster chip. This is the new iPhone. A phone that’s often criticized for being behind-the-curve in certain ways, but often copied. A polarizing device that sets the trends in more ways than one. The iPhone 14 Pro is as controversial as any high-profile iPhone to come before it, if not more.
The iPhone 14 Pro follows Apple’s formula to a T – it brings an even brighter Super Retina XDR OLED with an Always On option and a smaller pill-shaped cutout. Apple has done it again – turning weakness into strength. Once an eyesore, the infamous notch is now the Dynamic Island, a unique feature other brands are considering copying.
There are other improvements across the cameras, courtesy of new sensors, lenses and ISP. And, of course, Apple’s A16 Bionic chipset is faster and more energy-efficient than the A15, just as expected.
Let’s start with the screen. While it’s still a 6.1-inch OLED, it has a smaller pill-shaped cutout, can be as bright as 2,000nits, and supports Always On thanks to new more energy-efficient panel. The cutout is arguably the most iconic iPhone 14 Pro series feature, which actually comprises of two small cutouts – one pill-shaped and one round. Apple has turned this into a feature with various cool animations for notifications and calls it Dynamic Island.
Then come the cameras. The rear camera is still a triple-setup with a LiDAR scanner, but now the main shooter features a 48MP sensor with second-gen sensor-shift stabilization and a 2x lossless zoom option. The 12MP ultrawide camera got a new larger sensor and improved lens. Then there is the front camera, which now has a brighter lens, autofocus and even optical stabilization. There is also a better image processing called Photonic Engine and a new 9-LED flash.
The Apple A16 Bionic chipset offers an even faster processor and graphics though it still features a similar 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU architecture. It does support LPDDR5 RAM now and has higher memory bandwidth. Finally, a new ISP and DSP are present, of course.
Another new introduction as part of the new hardware is the Emergency SOS via satellite – a feature that allows you to send a message to emergency services wherever you are around the world – no need for SIM or network coverage. And thanks to a bunch of new sensors, the new iPhones now support Crash Detection and can automatically send for help if they detect you were in a crash.
This is the first iPhone series to come without a SIM slot in the US, which means the trial run for the SIM slot retirement has officially begun – at least as far as Apple is concerned. If successful, like it was with the nano-SIM, get ready for a smartphone world without SIM cards in a few years.
What hasn’t changed is the design – it’s the same as on the iPhone 12 and 13 series, and just as tough with Ceramic Shields and improved IP68 ingress protection. Battery and charging capabilities have also stayed unchanged.
Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
So, what’s missing on the new iPhone 14 Pro? A proper file manager! Just kidding, this ain’t happening. It seems Apple has addressed many of the omissions from the past generations, and we have the best iPhone ever. Until USB-C-featuring iPhone 15 comes, that is.
Unboxing the Apple iPhone 14 Pro
The thin paper box contains the iPhone and a USB-C-to-Lighting cable. We were disappointed Apple didn’t retire the Lightning port on the iPhones this year, as it already did on its other devices. We guess that’s a task for the next one.
Other than the cable, you will get a SIM ejection tool for models with a SIM slot and one Apple logo sticker. While Apple has ditched the plastic wrapping from the boxes, the plastic sticker remains.
Alternative options
The new iPhone 14 Pro has a lot of upgrades over the iPhone 13 Pro, even if only a single one is visible at first sight – the Dynamic Island. There are new cameras, a new chipset, a new satellite connection and crash detection, and higher brightness for the screen, plus an always-on display option. But even with these novelties, upgrading from an iPhone 13 Pro to the 14 Pro makes little sense.
In fact, Apple has never been a company that wants you to upgrade every year and the 5-year software support plus the aggressive battery care are both statements for that. People still do that more often than not, of course, and if you’ve set your eyes on the new iPhone, be it this one, or another, there is nothing that will change your mind.
The new iPhones have seen a price increase everywhere but the US, which will surely lift a few eyebrows. This is the world we live in right now, with inflation and an ongoing war raging in Europe, unfortunately.
We still have to conclude this review like any other, and we will certainly do it. So, let’s suggest a few iPhones you can buy if this €1,300 iPhone 14 Pro is not your love at first sight.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is a good alternative with a larger display and better battery life. It starts at €1450, which is hefty premium.
Smaller and lightweight iPhones are available, too. We certainly won’t suggest the new iPhone 14 unless you want the satellite feature, as it is the most insignificant update the iPhones have ever seen. Apple is selling both the €900 iPhone 13, the €800 iPhone 13 mini, and the €800 iPhone 12, so we’d suggest thinking about those if you want a light and compact iPhone and don’t mind not having a zoom camera or a 120Hz display.
The Android market is thriving, too, and you can now both have compact yet flagship smartphones. Samsung has the €700 Galaxy S22 and the foldable €900 Galaxy Z Flip4, a couple we encourage exploring. The €800 Asus Zenfone 9 will give you an all-around flagship package within an incredibly compact body. And you may want to consider the €1,050 Sony Xperia 5 IV for its superb camera kit and natural processing.
Our verdict
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro is the best iPhone Apple has made so far, as the maker just loves to point out. And it is – it has the best screen, cameras, performance, speakers and durability not only among the iPhones but across all flagship smartphones.
It introduces more than enough upgrades over the previous generation to make it interesting – an improved OLED with higher brightness, a smaller cutout with cool animations, and always-on option. The cameras have been updated all around, but the primary with its 48MP sensor and 2x lossless zoom is the showstopper, of course.
The new generation comes with interesting additions like global satellite connection for emergency and crash detection with automatic emergency call. The new faster chipset with improved stability is also worth mentioning.
Even with so many updates, the iPhone 14 Pro looks like the old iPhones, and if it weren’t for the new Deep Purple color and the pill-shaped cutout, you wouldn’t even know. And this design stasis may not be everyone’s favorite, even if this design is a self-proclaimed toughest in the world.
And it’s an iPhone, so not having a top-notch battery life and full OS access is something you choose to accept and live with for the foreseeable future.
Expensive or not, you will love the iPhone because it’s as good as advertised. The iPhone 14 Pro does make little sense as an upgrade over the 13 Pro, the 12 Pro even. But who are we to judge. The heart wants what it wants, right? And that’s the new iPhone. So, you should probably go and get it.
Pros
Class-leading design, water resistance and durability.
The best iPhone ever, version 2022, size XL – we have the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The list of novelties this year includes the notch morphing into a pill, the introduction of an Always-On display, and an all-new primary camera – and while you can get all of that on the 14 Pro, the extra screen estate and longevity coupled with the Max’s ‘ultimate’ status mean it has a market niche of its own.
The Face ID notch that’s been with us since the iPhone X was nobody’s favorite, and perhaps its reincarnation as a pill is a step towards its eventual removal. But not before turning the eyesore into a feature – the pill is a Dynamic Island of notifications, blurring the line between hardware and software.
In a similar vein is the Always-On display – a software feature only made possible now in Apple’s world thanks to LTPO displays being able to ramp down to 1Hz refresh rate.
A massive increase in brightness is also among the key developments this year, this one solely in the hardware department.
Late to yet another party, Apple finally joins virtually every other manufacturer and introduces a camera with a Quad Bayer type sensor – the specs on the 48MP main unit don’t read like any other, so apparently, it’s an exclusive design. The telephoto remains unchanged, but the ultrawide has gotten a sensor size upgrade, while the front-facing one now features autofocus (and maybe even OIS).
On the hardware front, there’s the mandatory chipset update, of course, and little else worth mentioning. Well, there’s the blanked-out SIM card slot for the US models, which will only operate with eSIMs – does that count as a hardware change? Crash detection and emergency sort-of satellite connectivity are also on the list of new features combining software and hardware.
Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max unboxing
Hardly anything has changed in the presentation of the iPhone 14 Pro Max compared to last year’s model. The half-height box has a color-matched likeness of the phone printed on the lid, and opens with a couple of paper tear-off pull tabs.
Inside, the phone is lying face down, its back greeting you as you remove the lid. There’s no charger bundled, but there’s still a USB-C-to-Lightning cable, at least. And an Apple sticker, because free advertising.
Competition
There are two ways to look at the possible competitors to the iPhone 14 Pro Max. On the one hand, you have the people looking for an iPhone, and those can be subdivided into those looking for a large-screen iPhone and others looking for a Pro iPhone. On the other hand, you have the undecided folk with less of an ecosystem allegiance and more of a ‘what’s the best I can get regardless of price’ attitude.
Then there’s another matter complicating things further – iPhone prices vary greatly from region to region this year, more so than usual. While the US numbers have remained unchanged, the Euro prices have gotten a steep hike – €200 is not insignificant, even at this level. The INR 10K increase in India isn’t as severe, but it’s still an increase.
That price development can make a strong case for the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which fits neatly into both subsets of prospective iPhone buyers – it’s got a large screen, and it’s a Pro model. Sure, Apple may have discontinued it, but retailers appear fully stocked still. You’ll be missing out on some improved cameras, but the last generation is still a competent cameraphone, while the pill vs. notch argument is, well, hardly an argument.
If, on the other hand, it’s specifically the new cameras and/or the pill that you’re after, but you don’t quite fancy the Max’s bulk and heft, then there’s the 14 Pro. The same as the Max, but more compact and with slightly shorter battery life, the 14 Pro will also save you some cash – $100/€150/INR 10K.
The 14 Plus, too, can appeal to those looking to spend a little less and still have a large-sized iPhone. It’s not quite the best deal in the US, where it goes for 14 Pro money ($200 less than the 14 Pro Max), but in Europe and even more so in India, you’d be looking at some serious savings – €300/INR 50K. You’d need to wait a couple of extra weeks and settle for last year’s internals, but it’s still a big iPhone at a sort of bargain price.
For the brand agnostics out there, the obvious choice is the Galaxy S22 Ultra. Samsung’s ultimate non-foldable is Max-sized too, has a great set of cameras and packs a stylus (or a remote shutter release, depending on how you look at it). There’s also the Galaxy Z Fold4 – a phone and a tablet in the same device that’s only barely heavier than the 14 Pro Max. A Pixel 7 Pro is also on the way if you’re more into Google’s way of doing cameras and software. Somewhat of a niche alternative (judging by market share, at least) can be found in the Xperia 1 IV too.
Verdict
The best iPhone ever comes with a wide range of advancements, and even if you don’t consider any of them groundbreaking or relevant to your usage, they’re there and add up. The brightest screen by a country mile, now with AoD, a pill for the notch-ache, a camera system with all-around improvements and great full-res images, and emergency hardware/software features – that’s the new stuff.
These come on top of Pro Max staples like great battery life, superb speakers, and premium and durable build quality. The most potent chipset in the business and at least 5 years of support for the software you’ve known for ages (and likely love and hate at the same time) are other classic arguments for the iPhone, Pro Max included.
The price increase in RoW markets (that is, outside of the US) is a tough pill to swallow on at least two levels. There’s the absolute monetary dimension of the extra cash leaving your pocket, and then there’s the sense that you’re paying for part of the US customers’ iPhones – we’re not sure which is the more bitter sentiment.
But in any case, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is undoubtedly a wonderful handset with few faults. And where you can see possible negatives, those come with the territory and aren’t exclusive to this specific generation or size. So, ultimately, if it’s your time to upgrade and the price is right for you, you can’t go wrong with this one.
Pros
Class-leading design, water resistance and durability.
Apple will reveal its AI cards on June 10 at WWDC, and Siri is surely going to be a key component. Generally, people want Siri to get good. You can’t just replace Siri intelligence with generative AI, however, but the two technologies make a powerful combination. What we want to see from an AI-infused Siri is actually simple.
Siri as it exists today is actually good at certain specific things.
We use Siri daily to send messages, make calls, create reminders, add things to my shopping list, play music, control lights, check the weather, check sports scores, start navigation, make voice memos, and much more.
Those are all rock solid. Siri is less reliable at summoning information. When kids ask knowledge questions all the time, and Siri should be the smoothest way to find the answer. We know in our bones that Siri is hit or miss on finding answers.
A simple test for Siri in iOS 18 is if it can eliminate punting to the web for search results as the answer. That’s where large language models excel. LLMs can be like hyper focused search engines that provide answers and not search results.
If Siri can provide more answers and less redirection, We can consider that a solid start.
Some other thoughts on this topic:
Siri is good about sourcing information when it does provide answers.
LLMs, on the other hand, will provide plausible answers that may be inaccurate.
Siri, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant competed on feature parity before; now the competition is over how best integrates generative AI.
Humane, the startup behind the Ai Pin hardware, has shown how generative AI should work with a voice assistant.
However, Ai Pin’s limited capabilities around actions shows where Siri + AI can excel.
Separately, the Rabbit R1 bespoke AI hardware has a different approach to actions that looks competitive.
In sum, throwing out Siri and starting over from scratch is not a serious solution. Instead, Siri should maintain its functionality while using generative AI to patch its weak spots.
Last month, Apple announced a new Web Distribution offering for developers in the European Union. On April 16, 2024, the Beta launch of iOS 17.5 beta 2, that feature is now available.
Web Distribution gives developers in the EU the ability to offer their apps for download directly from their website. Here’s how it works.
Web Distribution in the European Union with iOS 17.5
Web Distribution is the third distribution option that developers in the European Union can take advantage of in light of the Digital Markets Act.
To use Web Distribution, developers will have to opt into the new App Store business terms, which means they will pay the Core Technology Fee of €0.50 for each first annual install over one million in the past 12 months.
Any app distributed through the web will still be required to meet Apple’s notarization guidelines. Apps can only be installed from a website domain that the developer has registered in App Store Connect. Apple will also make a number of APIs available for integration with system functionality for developers.
Web Distribution lets authorized developers distribute their iOS apps to users in the European Union (EU) directly from a website owned by the developer. Apple will provide developers access to APIs that facilitate the distribution of their apps from the web, integrate with system functionality, and back up and restore users’ apps, once they meet certain requirements designed to help protect users and platform integrity.
When a user downloads an app from a developer’s website for the first time, they will be prompted with a series of screens explaining what it means to give that developer the ability to install apps from their website.
After authenticating with Face ID to approve giving that developer permission to install apps, the user will then go through a three-step installation process for the app itself. Apple’s Notarization system means that users will see clear information about the app and how it works. This includes things like the app name, developer name, app description, screenshots, and system age rating.
Notably, users only have to give each developer permission to install apps one time.
For example, let’s say Meta ends up supporting the Web Distribution feature in the EU. The first time a user downloads an app from Meta, such as the Facebook app, they will be prompted to give Meta the ability to install apps on their device. Then, going forward, they will only have to approve each app installation itself.
Verdict
The new details provided by Apple give a good look at the actual process of using Web Distribution in the European Union – including how it is balancing security and privacy with convenience.
A viral post on social media last week, boosted by Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, claimed that it would take 15 steps to install an app using Web Distribution. With the details provided today, Apple makes it clear that’s not the case.
Congratulations to Apple leadership for designing the worst app installation experience in the history of computing! Because Apple designers are the world’s best, there’s no question that this abomination is a premeditated part of a malicious European DMA compliance strategy. https://t.co/zx4aZicdEA
The first time you install an app from a developer using Web Distribution, it’s essentially an eight-step process to authorize a developer and install the first app. Each subsequent time you install an app from that same developer, it’s a three-step process.
For comparison’s sake, Android uses a one-time permission model when sideloading apps. While Android’s implementation requires fewer taps than Apple’s implementation, Apple provides users with more granular control for each developer. It also offers more details about each app prior to installation.
And, in a funny twist, Apple’s implementation of Web Distribution on iPhone is a significantly easier process than installing and using the Epic Games Store on the Mac.
While the iPhone 16 won’t feature any dramatic design changes, Apple is allegedly planning to shake up the color choices. According to a new rumor today, the iPhone 16 will be available in two additional colors compared to the iPhone 15 lineup.
iPhone 16 colors
Interestingly, the rumor specifically refers to the iPhone 16 Plus. It seems unlikely that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus would each be available in different colors, but this is something to keep in mind.
As a refresher, here are the five color options for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus:
Pink
Yellow
Blue
Green
Black
According to a new rumor posted on Weibo today, the iPhone 16 will be available in a wider array of seven colors:
Pink
Yellow
Blue
Green
Black
White
Purple
Again, this is just a rumor for the time being – and a sketchy rumor at that. Still, it’d certainly be nice to see Apple offer the iPhone 16 in a wider array of colors … and maybe some of those colors will be a bit bolder and less muted than what we have now.
Apple is alerting users to a new instance of an identified mercenary spyware attack on the iPhone. Possible victims have been sent an email from Apple describing how the attack could “remotely compromise the iPhone”. Victims are being notified in India and 91 additional countries, via Reuters.
Mercenary attacks of this nature typically cost millions of dollars, and are often useless once discovered by security researchers and patched by iOS security updates. They are often believed to be state-sponsored, due to the high cost of development to craft such complex and sophisticated attacks. However, in a notable change of language, Apple no longer says this explicitly in its threat notifications.
Apple has sent out these alerts in waves since 2021, as new attacks have been discovered. They generally target people like political activists, government officials, diplomats and journalists.
In this latest case, it seems the purpose of the attack was to install malicious software on the user’s device in order to spy on user’s data and their whereabouts.
Obviously, Apple continuously works to patch and defend against all manners of iPhone security bugs. Users can proactively help to defend themselves, by installing the latest software updates promptly, and consider enabling Lockdown Mode, which disables some iPhone system features that are particularly prone to vulnerabilities.
The origin of this latest attack is currently not disclosed. In addition to technical patches, Apple is also using its legal might to go after some of these spyware maker.
Israel’s NSO Group is one of the most notorious makers of such spyware. In November 2021, Apple sued NSO Group for its role in conducting surveillance attacks on Apple users. The case is ongoing.
Apple has officially started beta testing iOS 17.5 with developers and public beta users. The update brings a handful of new features and changes, and is expected to be released sometime next month. Head below for everything we know right now.
When will iOS 17.5 be released?
Based on previous years of iOS updates, I’d expect that iOS 17.5 will be released to everyone sometime in mid-May. Here’s a rundown of previous iOS x.5 update release dates:
iOS 16.5: May 18
iOS 15.5: May 16
iOS 14.5: April 26
iOS 13.5: May 20
What’s new in iOS 17.5?
While iOS 17.5 isn’t quite as big of an update as other iOS 17 updates, it still includes its fair share of new features and updates.
Web Distribution in the EU
Within the European Union, the latest iOS 17.5 update introduces the capability to install applications directly from a developer’s website. Apple unveiled this new “Web Distribution” feature last month, explaining that it allows developers to distribute their iOS apps straight from their own websites.
To utilize this functionality, developers must opt into the updated App Store business terms, which requires paying a Core Technology Fee of €0.50 for every first annual installation exceeding one million in the preceding 12 months.
guidelines. Apps can only be installed from a website domain that the developer has registered in App Store Connect. Apple will also provide a range of APIs for developers to integrate with system functionality.
While the iOS 17.5 beta 1 lays the groundwork for this feature, there are currently no developers offering their apps via this new Web Distribution feature. We don’t anticipate this changing until the public release of iOS 17.5 in May.
Design changes
iOS 17.5 beta 1 also includes a few small design changes that are worth pointing out:
The Podcasts widget has been updated to have a new dynamic color that changes based on the artwork of the podcast you’re currently playing.
In the Apple Books app, Apple has redesigned the “Reading Goal” icon in top navigation bar.
In the Settings app, there is a new glyph for the “Passkeys Access for Web Browsers” menu under “Privacy & Security.”
Find My network updates
Based on code discovered iOS 17.5 seems to incorporate a new system centered around anti-stalking capabilities for accessories like AirTags. This development follows Apple’s announcement last year of a partnership with Google to collaborate on a new “industry specification to combat unwanted tracking.”
Strings added to the Find My app reveal that iOS will be able to identify tracking accessories, even those that are not Apple or Find My certified, and assist users in disabling them.
One of the new strings states, “This item lacks certification on the Apple Find My network. You have the option to disable this item and prevent it from sharing its location with the owner. To proceed, follow the instructions provided on a website by the manufacturer of this item.”
These changes come as Google started rolling out its new Find My Device network for Android on April 8.
iOS 17.5 roundup
iOS 17.5 also includes an update for MDM users: “MDM solutions can now enforce a beta version during automated device enrollment.”
Whether Apple has more changes planned for iOS 17.5 beyond what was launched today remains to be seen. The focus is clearly on the European Union, where Apple continues to adapt to the Digital Markets Act being enforced by the European Commission.
While the iPhone 15 Pro saw the addition of the Action button, the entire iPhone 16 lineup will reportedly get an all-new “Capture button” this year. This will give users a new way to quickly take pictures using their iPhone 16 camera, with a few added bonuses. Here’s everything we know so far
The iPhone 16 Capture button’s design
The Capture button will reportedly come to the entire iPhone 16 lineup. This includes the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
According to multiple different CAD drawings and dummy units, the iPhone 16’s Capture button will be located on the right side of the phones. It will be in the same spot as the mmWave 5G antenna currently is in the United States.
While there was speculation that the iPhone 16’s Capture button might use a capacitive design, the latest reporting suggests that won’t be the case. Instead, the Capture button will have a mechanical design that physically presses in and out.
However, The Information has reported that the surface of the Capture will be touch sensitive. iPhone 16 users will allegedly be able to swipe left and right on the Capture button’s surface to zoom in and out. The Information also says that users will be able to “bring images into focus by pressing it lightly and activate the shutter by pressing more firmly on the button.”
The idea of a dedicated “Capture button” when it was first rumored for the iPhone 16. The rumors around the swipe gestures, however, make it sound infinitely more useful.
In some ways, this also takes me back to the days of the iPhone Smart Battery Case that had a built-in camera capture button. Those were good times.
